New GT3 based 911 Speedster

[pwd72s]

Why the excitement? Let's see, a car that many can't buy because of price. Even if the price didn't matter, you still couldn't buy unless a member of the connected elite?

Yawn...

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

I was going to post pics of it way back after Rennsport but figured you guys all knew about it.

Wow, so different in the flesh, and with that paint scheme.

I'd pass on that exact car.

Unless it were free.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by tabs

Which end is the front?

This stuff gets to be ridiculous...over blown and over wrought.

The charm of the original Speedster was its simplicty..a lithe little car that u could whip around.

+1
The red one looks like a tank. Not a fan.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

Wow, so different in the flesh, and with that paint scheme.

I'd pass on that exact car.

Unless it were free.

Please note that you are not seeing the car "in the flesh" in Scott's fish-eye lens photos.

Remember how tadpole-ish bulbous roof hump the Cayman looked in early car show photos taken by the public?

In the flesh viewing of the Cayman shows one just how well balanced it is.

The photos do not do justice.

Considering how few of these new Speedster will be built, I will have to reserve final judgment until I see it in person.

Until then, I think they did a fine job considering the challenge of base car choice.

[Tervuren]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

+1
The red one looks like a tank. Not a fan.

I found the 991 to be a fantastic GT when I got to take one home for two days from winning a contest.

Very much liked it.

These new 911's are like trying to sell a ski-boat to someone that wants a canoe.

No matter how nice of a ski-boat it is, it still isn't a canoe.

I will not put the car down, it is fantastic. I really loved it.

But it also isn't my 944 or Corvette.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I think that we must remember that the original was often remarked to resemble an upside down bathtub and not much of a performer compared to a real man's car of the day.

https://www.oldtownhome.com/2014/11/24/Up-Up-and-Away---Moving-a-350lb-Clawfoot-Tub-Upstairs/


I see what you guys are seeing, but also know a few photos (well taken or not) don't tell the whole story.

Wait and see is all I'm saying.

Top up - on.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/spyshots-2019-porsche-911-speedster-looks-like-a-gt3-cabriolet-manual-rumored-124938.html#


https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/products/porsche-911-speedster-concept-world-premiere-70-years-sportscar-celebrations-road-ready-study-15603.html

[masraum]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Nailed it.

Otherwise it's a cool looking car. I wonder how a center fill fuel tank will work for a street car? Sure seems like it would be hard to avoid dripping fuel onto the hood.

...or dragging the hose across the hood/fender. Yeah, cool looking option, but not the best for practicality. But then who buys that car to be practical.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I think that we must remember that the original was often remarked to resemble an upside down bathtub and not much of a performer compared to a real man's car of the day.

It wasn't everyone's cup of tea. Still isn't. In 1956 it WAS quite a performer.

[masraum]

I think it's going to look good in person, but I'll wait and see. I suspect I'll see one around here eventually.

Yes, Paul, we all know it's not a mustang. Don't worry, I'll stay off your lawn, too.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

It wasn't everyone's cup of tea. Still isn't. In 1956 it WAS quite a performer.

I understand that, but the American tastes have always run large.

The Hudson Hornet was the fastest American car of its day
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1116282_the-hudson-hornet-was-the-fastest-american-car-of-its-day

I remember the stigma the first generation Mustang faced as a "little car".

Put the same 289/302 engine in a car 2-inches wider (1967-68) and now it was a real man's car and not some secetary's car.

I have to say that the two tone silver/gray paint job is a total fail.

The Porsche 818 barely pulled off a similar scheme a few years ago, very hard to do as it breaks up the form too much.

https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/porsche-911-speedster-concept-2799967/


EDIT:

Related to the little car syndrome.

James Dean - Fatal Porsche 550 Spyder crash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN3PZf3YlkI

[pwd72s]

Keep in mind..the original speedster was a stripper. The entry level car. Didn't even have wind up windows. Add a roll bar, join the SCCA, go racing.

The new one? Well, P.T. Barnum comes to mind.

[scottmandue]

I'm not a gambling man...

But maybe I will start buying lotto tickets

Yeah, yeah, yeah... couldn't buy one if I wanted to... but I can dream!

In reality for that $$ I could probably get two or three bad azz cars and still put money in the bank.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by kach22i

I understand that, but the American tastes have always run large.

The Speedster was designed for the American market. Max Hoffman, the Porsche importer, specified what his US buyers wanted, Porsche built a car to fit the market.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Keep in mind..the original speedster was a stripper. The entry level car. Didn't even have wind up windows. Add a roll bar, join the SCCA, go racing.

Three bolts hold the windshield on. One guy can take it off in 5 minutes. No insulation, no padded top. Some Speedsters were entry level, depended on the engine in it. I don't think Porsches 4-cam engines could be considered "entry level."

[Neilk]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Why the excitement? Let's see, a car that many can't buy because of price. Even if the price didn't matter, you still couldn't buy unless a member of the connected elite?

Yawn...

Agreed. Tired of the "exclusive" club path Porsche is taking.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Agreed. Tired of the "exclusive" club path Porsche is taking.

But what else are you going to do with a really expensive car?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Agreed. Tired of the "exclusive" club path Porsche is taking.

It is just the new trend in each brand having a "flagship" model.
Ford had the GT40, Dodge the Viper, Acrua the NSX, Lexus the LFA, and so on

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Agreed. Tired of the "exclusive" club path Porsche is taking.

Come on guys, let's be honest. The real reason we don't like the Exclusive Club path Porsche is taking with some limited addition cars is that we can't afford the membership. If we were financially successful (aka "Rich") enough to afford to be in the Club, we'd all be in line at the dealership with our deposits.

Jealousy is a dishonest emotion.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by masraum

But what else are you going to do with a really expensive car?

Don’t invoke the name “Speedster” for it for one thing. One would think a Porsche with the Speedster name would have something in common with the original Porsche Speedster (besides an apparent lack of headroom).
ie:
Lightest weight, least expensive car in the line
Built primarily for motor sports
Uncomfortable
Quirky
Fairly useless top
Bucket seats made out of real buckets
Etc.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Craig T

Come on guys, let's be honest. The real reason we don't like the Exclusive Club path Porsche is taking with some limited addition cars is that we can't afford the membership. If we were financially successful (aka "Rich") enough to afford to be in the Club, we'd all be in line at the dealership with our deposits.

Jealousy is a dishonest emotion.

You guys can all send me some money and we'll find out!

I do have to say that one of the reasons I liked Porsche was their reputation as a giant killer. The plucky little independent German automaker that managed to consistently take down racing giants. Little cars with small displacement engines that won races by being lightweight, well engineered, and reliable. Their cars weren't cheap, but by the standards of the day, you also didn't have to be rich to afford one either. People bought Porsches to drive and enjoy, rain or shine. None of that applies to today's Porsche, and it's also probably why their new cars don't really appeal to me. I'm sure becoming a German Ferrari is great for the profit margins, but it's also not a club that I care to associate with.