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New GT3 based 911 Speedster

This may be old news, but I just got the email from PCA today.

https://www.pca.org/news/2018-10-02/porsche-make-1948-911-speedsters-2019
https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...650_a3_rgb.jpg

Quote:

Porsche to make 1,948 911 Speedsters for 2019
Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Article by Damon Lowney
Photos courtesy Porsche

Porsche will produce a new 911 Speedster in limited quantities, the automaker announced today. The car will be based on the GT3 and uses its engine, a 4.0-liter flat-six with more than 500 horsepower.
https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...651_a3_rgb.jpg
Production will be limited to 1,948 examples, a number chosen to reflect the first Porsche, the mid-engined 356/01, present to the public on June 8, 1948. The new Speedster, which was developed by Porsche Motorsport in Weissach with Syle Porsche and Exclusive Manufaktur, is nearly identical to the Speedster concept presented earlier this year, which you can read about here. The Guards Red paint on this example is a nod to the 1998 911 Speedster.
https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...649_a3_rgb.jpg
The Speedster will have a shortened windshield as well as shorter side windows. Like 911 GT2 RS, the front fenders are made of carbon fiber, as well as the hood. When lowered, the tonneau cover is stored underneath the double-bubble carbon-fiber panel behind the rear seats. When raised, it's fastened by Tenax buttons. The Talbot-style mirrors will make it to production, as well as the centrally-positioned fuel cap. The 21-inch wheels are inspired by those seen on the Porsche 911 RSR and GT3 R race cars.
https://www.pca.org/sites/default/fi...652_a3_rgb.jpg
The new Speedster also marks the introduction of Porsche Heritage Design Packages, a program by Porsche Exclusive that allows even more customization. The car will go into production in the first half of 2019, Porsche says, though a price has not been announced yet.
_______________________________

Full Porsche Press Release

The Porsche 911 Speedster will go into production

Stuttgart. The concept study, presented during the 70th birthday of the sports car manufacturer, will be produced as a limited special edition: Porsche has decided to start producing the purist Porsche 911 Speedster in the first half of 2019. Exactly 1,948 units of the open-top two-seater will be built. The number reminisces the Porsche 356 “Number 1” that received its operating license on June, 8 back in 1948. In Paris, Porsche presented this year’s second Speedster Concept study. Its Guards Red paintwork is a reference to the 1988 911 Speedster of the G-Model generation. The new cross-spoke 21-inch wheels in cross spoke and the black leather interior create a tasteful and sporty appearance.

Dream becomes reality: The driveable 911 Speedster Concept, initially presented on June 8 in 2018 in Zuffenhausen as a “Heritage” version, will go into production in 2019. The car was developed at Porsche Motorsport in Weissach in cooperation with Style Porsche and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

The future 911 Speedster, based on the 991 range, will be the first car to be offered with the new Heritage Design Packages. This exclusive accessory line by Porsche Exclusive allows for an even higher degree of personalization for the 911.

In addition to the eye-catching paintwork, 21-inch center lock wheels are another visual highlight of this latest concept study presented in Paris. Their cross-spoke wheel design is similar to that of Porsche racing cars such as the 911 RSR and the GT3 R. The tinted day-time running lights were also inspired by racing. Matching the study’s paintwork, they are kept in red. The two “Talbot”-shaped exterior mirrors as well as the fuel tank cap – centrally positioned on the bonnet – shine in black-chrome and platinum. In contrast to the previously shown “Heritage” version, the interior is using partly perforated black leather upgraded with red highlights.

All body components as well as the entire technology of both the 911 Speedster Concept cars are identical. This includes the shortened window frames with their lowered cowl top panels and the smaller side windows as well as the carbon-fibre rear bonnet with the double-bubble cover behind the seats. Both cars come with a lightweight Tonneau cover, fitted by Tenax buttons, instead of a convertible soft top.

The concept cars’ body is based on the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. The fenders, as well as the front and rear bonnet are made from lightweight carbon fibre composite while the chassis was taken from the 911 GT3. Furthermore, the GT development department provided the exhaust system with its titanium tailpipes and the drivetrain including the manually operated six-speed gearbox. The same goes for the centrepiece of the limited special edition: The Speedster Concept is powered by a naturally-aspirated flat-six engine developing more than 500 hp and capable of engine speeds up to 9,000 rpm.

I'm sure it'll be cheap, but I suspect it'll be a hoot.

It's not a turbo!

Now THAT'S a special edition!!

fu@king love it! A track day with the top down...BOOYA!

What do you think? $200k or $250k?

A standard GT3 starts at $144k and a GT3RS starts at $187k. I priced out a GT3 and that ran another $20k for $163k (I skipped the carbon brakes).

Yeah baby, maybe in aubergine

In a thread here many years ago, we posted quotes from people when they are driving our 911s. They are amusing. The one from the guy who is accustomed to 356s:

"This feels heavy."

<chuckle> That thing must weigh 3700 lbs.

Cool to see the 4.0 liter and three pedals. Dig the door mirrors.

Doubtful any of these will go for anything close to MSRP. Will probably go the way of the 911R. Brief appearance on showroom floors. Allotments already spoken for by the "chosen ones." Then speculators will drive the prices sky-high on the secondary market.

Would be nice to flog around a track though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorian (Post 10236778)

Egg-zactly. Porsche has already become Ferrari-esque w their special cars, only doling them out to good customers who then flip them for $$. I ran into a friend last weekend who has a new GT2RS on order as well as the two new uber Ferrari models. It basically costs him nothing to own all these cars because he just flips them when the newer one comes out. Definitely has a few million tied up, though. At least he drives them all. :cool:

I'd love to see this Speedster in charcoal grey or black. It doesn't need loud color, IMO.

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.

One of the few special editions from Porsche of late that I find exciting.

I wonder if with how I tall I am if the lowered windshield would give me visibility issues.

Still, out of my present price considerations, so no worries.

Eh.

Besides have 3 pedals, it is not exciting to me. I agree with Tabs on this one.

This will be another super expensive addition to collections and I doubt I will ever see one on the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by speeder (Post 10236789)

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.

Stunning. Blows away that over priced 997 Speedster with an awkward hump.

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

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541169193.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541169193.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by cairns (Post 10237014)

Stunning. Blows away that over priced 997 Speedster with an awkward hump.

They certainly succeeded this time, must have taken a lot of work in the 3D studio to pull this one off.

A shortcut would have been to use the Boxster as a base in my opinion, the massive rear heavy haunch of the current 911's in an attempt to make look wedge-like seemed insurmountable in my mind - but they did it.

Quote:

The concept cars’ body is based on the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet.

So these new Speedsters are going to be AWD/4WD or that was just the prototype?

EDIT:

One of the details in particular reminds me of a detail I used in a scheme for the Factory Five design contest about seven years ago.

The way the slope goes down after the driver to form a double scallop.

The design shown below was based a contest criteria that was dimensional very similar to the Boxster. I did something like a dozen schemes, only one of them was a homage to Porsche.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541171511.jpg

The mid-engined Subaru powered Factory Five 818 ended up being designed in house, and was rather Mazda Miata looking in my opinion, a mild disappointment. I did learn that 9 out of 10 people could not get anything good looking without going outside of the template (lower and more cab-forward than humanly packaging would allow for). I myself thought it was going to be impossible until I compared it to the Boxster and had the realization that it could be done.

The 911 Speedster shown at the top of this thread may not be to everyone's taste, but knowing what they had to work with and the results, they pulled off a minor miracle in my opinion.

EDIT-2:

Now that I'm thinking of it, just had to do a quick update and mark-up.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541173633.jpg

Looking once again at the photos Scott Douglas posted, it seems not all angles and lenses are showing this creation in it's best light.

A job well done considering the hog heavy tail they had to deal with.

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...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas (Post 10237030)

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

I'd pass on that exact car.

Unless it were free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs (Post 10236854)

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.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541176897.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541176897.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tervuren (Post 10237155)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen (Post 10237164)

+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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen (Post 10237164)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541176897.jpg

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/
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8594/...9b212647_b.jpg

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#
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541178090.jpg

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/products/porsche-911-speedster-concept-world-premiere-70-years-sportscar-celebrations-road-ready-study-15603.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1541178235.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy (Post 10236926)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i (Post 10237175)

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.

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. ;) :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdfifteen (Post 10237184)

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/
https://robbreportedit.files.wordpre...r-5.jpg?w=1024

EDIT:

Related to the little car syndrome.

James Dean - Fatal Porsche 550 Spyder crash
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN3PZf3YlkI
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZN3PZf3YlkI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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.

I'm not a gambling man...

But maybe I will start buying lotto tickets :D

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kach22i (Post 10237196)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s (Post 10237201)

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."

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwd72s (Post 10237151)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neilk (Post 10237255)

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

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neilk (Post 10237255)

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neilk (Post 10237255)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum (Post 10237267)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig T (Post 10237290)

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

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.