Truly one of the most iconic cars of its era, Porsche’s 356 Speedster was the brainchild of New York–based dealer extraordinaire Max Hoffman. Conceived to give Porsche more of a foothold in the American market, the diminutive speedster offered bare-bones performance that was both thrilling on the streets and proved to be successful on the track. Advertised at $2,995, it was a bargain compared to its British competitors and quickly proved to be a huge hit with enthusiasts not only in the U.S., but worldwide.

The speedster made comebacks for the G-Series 911 of 1989, the 964, and even a handful of 993-generation 911s, where it was always heralded as one of the most desirable models of the range and one that kept Porsche firmly in touch with its roots. For the 997 generation of 911, the new speedster was introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and true to its roots, it was considered an instant modern-day collectible.

Using the Carrera GTS as a base with the Powerkit-equipped 3.8-litre flat-six at its heart, the speedster came equipped with virtually every available option, including the Sport Chrono package, carbon-ceramic brakes, and the PASM suspension. Porsche’s Exclusive department seized the opportunity to use the speedster as a showcase of its capabilities. In addition to these, the cars were specially optioned with Fuchs-style wheels, a 70-millimetre-shorter windshield, black seats with a checkered-flag pattern, a unique aero kit, and contrasting stitching throughout, as well as a number of contrasting trim panels and speedster-specific motifs.

Just two standard colour options were made available for the new 911 Speedster: Carrera White, and a colour unique to the speedster model, Pure Blue. The only interior colour option was black, with matching details in whatever colour was selected for the exterior. This Pure Blue speedster is the 94th example of 356 produced and was purchased by its current owner in 2016. Surely one of the lowest-mileage examples in existence, it has travelled a paltry 439 km since leaving Porsche’s facilities in Stuttgart. Presented in virtually as-new condition throughout, the car has recently been serviced by an official Porsche dealer in Bahrain and is ready for whatever its next owner should have in store.