Background

In 1954, Porsche introduced a lightweight 356 with a cut-down windscreen, simplified hood, back-to-basics interior and detachable side screens. Dubbed the 356 Speedster, it replaced the short-lived America Roadster which had been a commercial failure.

Like the America Roadster, Porsche were convinced to build the 356 Speedster by their US distributor, Max Hoffman, who felt there was a market for a less expensive, no frills 356 that would appeal to American weekend racers.

Over the next few years, a little over 3000 Speedsters were built in 356 and 356 A trim. However, production figures only told part of the story as the Speedster soon came to become regarded as a 1950s design icon and one of the most sought after models in Porsche’s back catalogue.

Fast forward 25 years and, by the mid 1980s, Porsche had long since abandoned any plans to discontinue the 911 which had never been more in demand.

Meanwhile, the market for collectable cars and limited edition specials was red hot with creations like the Ferrari 288 GTO and Zagato-bodied Aston Martin V8 Vantage having sold out before production began.

Unfortunately, Porsche’s own low volume offering, the 959, ended up costing the firm a huge amount of money as development costs far outweighed sales income. Nevertheless, Porsche easily sold the entire production run.

Around the same time as the 959 was coming to fruition, the wickedly expensive Porsche 930 Flachbau had become surprisingly popular and proved there was a fast-growing customer base for out of the ordinary machinery.

To further capitalise on this booming market, two prototype 911 Speedsters emerged for internal assessment during 1986.

The first was completed in June of that year and was basically a Turbo-bodied 911 Cabriolet with no roof and just a small removable aero screen. It also featured an unusual detachable hard top that included a conventional windscreen.

Later that year, a second prototype was completed, this time on the narrow-bodied platform with a wraparound screen and rigid hump-backed tonneau behind the seats.

Both prototypes were strict two seaters.

Soon afterwards, the green light was given for a 911 Speedster concept that Porsche intended to publicly reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1987.