History of Porsche Speedster and successive Speedsters
"Open-top driving pleasure combined with outstanding driving dynamics" In other words, "Open-top driving pleasure combined with outstanding driving dynamics", that is, "Open-top driving pleasure combined with outstanding driving dynamics", Speedster has existed in the history of Porsche since 1952 ... The history of Speedster was introduced, starting with the sentence.
The latest Speedster concept was announced for the 991 model, and it's been several months since then ... Recently,Detailed information about the mass production model came outIf you think, at onceNow you can even use the configuratorFor the past few days, I've been thinking about Speedster, whether I'm sleeping or waking up.
It's an overstatement (laughs), but if you can understand the history of Speedster, I wanted to know it, so this time I would like to learn about the history of Speedster.
Then, I would like to see the history of Speedster from here ^^ ↓
The beginning of all models is the 356 American Roadster
The aluminum body of the 356 American Roadster was hand-made at Erich Heuer Karosseriefabrik in Ullersricht, near Weiden, Upper Pfalz, Germany.
The expensive lightweight body is 160Kg lighter than the 356 coupe and has a 70PS 4-cylinder boxer engine with a top speed of 180km / h, which was awesome in this era.
356 Speedster, model year 1955
Developed for the U.S. market and manufactured only 16 cars, the sports car already has key elements of a Speedster, a slot-in window for the door, a foldable rain cover top, and a lighter weight. It had a bucket seat.
It was American importer Max Hoffmann who persuaded Porsche to sell in the United States. He requested to make a cheap Porsche, priced below $ 3,000.
356 Speedster, model year 1954
In the fall of 1954, Porsche produced a much cheaper version of the car than the 356 American Roadster. It included the name "Speedster" for the first time in its model name and quickly created a sensation in the world of motorsport.
A sloping windshield, a simplified interior interior and a raintop were combined with a steel body cabriolet.
In the United States, the 356 1500 Speedster cost only $ 2,995, making it an instant hit in sunny coastal states.
Hollywood celebrity James Dean was also a very enthusiastic race driver and chose this model dedicated solely to the joy of driving.
The next generation of 356 will continue
In 1957, the 356 A 1500 GS Carrera GT Speedster model reached its peak. The 1.5-liter vertical shaft engine boasted 110PS. This is the model produced by Porsche and is the first model to record a maximum speed of 200 km / h.
Porsche Type 356 A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster, model year 1958
In 1988, as a highlight of the discontinued G model, the Speedster model was announced in the 911 series.
911 Carrera 3,2 Speedster, model year 1986
Of all the 911 models, the most open is the wide turbo look 911 Carrera, the 911 model based on the 231PS. Models with a tighter body are also available as an option in the import market, with 161 models with a tighter body produced.
The windshield became narrower, and the manual raintop (roof) was manually stored under a large plastic bubble (= double bubble part in the current model) painted in the same color as the vehicle.
Unlike the 911 Speedster Club Sport concept car exhibited at the IAA in Frankfurt in 1987, the first mass-produced Speedster was launched in 1988.
Porsche Type 911 Carrera 3,2 Speedster (Turbo look), model year 1989
At that time, Speedsters started at $ 110,000. Since the G-series was produced, 2,103 Speedsters have been produced.
It was the exact opposite of its successor: between 1992 and 1993, 930 "tightened" 964 generation 911 Carrera Speedsters were built, and 15 more wide turbobody models were produced. Was done.
Porsche Type 911 Carrera 3,2 Speedster with a strait body, model year 1989
The soft top mechanism of the new Speedster model has been improved to make it easier to manually open and close the roof.
The locking mechanism of the large rear plastic cover has also been optimized.
The visual highlights are the special leather interior and the 911 Carrera RS bucket seats painted in the same color as the vehicle.
The Speedster was $ 131,500 when it went on sale in February 1993. However, the Speedster had no air conditioning, no power windows, and even no air bags at first.
Porsche Type 911 Carrera 2 3,6 Speedster, model year 1993
The 911 Carrera Speedster, which is based on the 993 generation 911, is even rarer.
There are two types, the first model was developed by the Exclusive Department in 1995 for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, himself.
911 Carrera 3,6 Speedster, Porsche Werk 2, Zuffenhausen, 1995
It was a green-colored, 17-inch alloy wheel and Tiptronic S transmission, based on a Carrera body.
The second vehicle was then built for American actor Jerry Seinfeld.
An enthusiastic Porsche fan and owner of Porsche's amazing collection, he got a Silver Speedster MT car with a turbo wide 4S body model with 18-inch wheels.
Regular customers didn't get a Speedster until the debut of the last Speedster model of the 997 generation model launched in 2010.
Porsche 911 Speedster, model year 2011
In 2011, the 911 Speedster was announced to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.
The new Speedster is 60mm lower, with a more sloping windshield, a flat-contoured sporty-looking manual opening and closing soft top, and a distinctive double bubble (two bumps) on the compartment lid, making it a top tradition. ..
As a result, the rear-wheel drive two-seater body has a wider rear width of 44 mm, making the car stand out more.
The Porsche 911 Speedster made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October 2010.
The 3.8-liter 6-cylinder boxer engine boasts 408PS and is limited to 356 units.
In Germany, the Speedster went on the market in December 2010 and sold for € 201,682.
The 911 Speedster concept
In 2018, Germany made a world premiere of the 911 Speedster concept car at Zuffenhausen at the "70 years of Porsche Sports Cars", celebrating the 70th anniversary of Porsche's first car registration. This was the best birthday gift Porsche gave to Porsche himself.
The heritage version of the Speedster illustrates the connection to the "early era of Porsche" founded by Ferdinand Porsche in 1948, when Porsche succeeded in the first race with a 356 lightweight model.
With its pure and historical design, the 911 Speedster concept car maximizes the joy of driving and clearly expresses Porsche's "brand core."
The Speedster is the first modern model based on the GT model and was developed by Porsche's motorsport experts.
The concept car was also unveiled at Goodwood, England, Rennsport Reunion VI, California, and the Paris Motor Show.
This dream car is now a reality as a mass-produced model version.
Production of The 911 Speedster has just begun.
That was the history of Speedster where Porsche was written this time.
Even so, when I think about it again, the number of "Limited 356 units" of the previous 997 type 911 Speedster is extremely small.
Even this new Speedster, which is said to be 1,948 units worldwide, is said to be quite difficult to obtain here in Japan (even in other countries), but it is said to be quite difficult all over the world. 356 units.
I'm pessimistic about how little it is, even though I don't have any desire to start selling or buy it now, but I can't buy it!
When I think about it, I haven't met the new Porsche 992 yet, but this time the existence of the 991 Speedster is growing in me, "I want to meet, but I can not meet yet." It's full of things like.
As for Porsche, I always feel like I'm really in love with Porsche.
Still, even if I think of 992, I think of Speedster, after all, the feeling of always returning to myself ...
"I like my Porsche too much and it's painful"
That's why (laughs)! Well, I'm happy ^^
Reference article:Click here for related articles on Porsche 911 Speedster (991)
I'm Rika, the author of this article. Ever since Porsche 911 became my favorite car, I've become totally addicted to Porsche, and I can't stop loving Porsche, so I started this blog. My favorite cars are 911 Carrera (991.2), 911 Carrera Cabriolet (992.1), and 911 Carrera T (992.1).
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