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1989
PORSCHE 911 "WIDEBODY" SPEEDSTER
A beautiful mint condition
Speedster , complete
with "Dream Documentation", an original in
classic Guards Red w/ Black Supple Leather - Red Piping and Black Canvas Top.
Documented Mileage is low at 30,800 and the paint is original. This
Speedster carries Factory Air Conditioning (upgraded $2,000), Short Shift w/
Leather Shift Knob, Power Seats L/R; Piped
in Red, Upgraded Steering Wheel +/ Orig. Raised Hub in house, Upgraded Stereo w/
CD,
Embroidered Mats, Limited Slip Differential, Upgraded Bosch Headlights, $1,700
Twin Exhaust Stainless Steel Muffler (with orig.) and
two sets of Wheels (Original + $6,000 17" BBS
w/ Polished Caps & Tires).
By the time Porsche released their "new" 3.2 liter motor in
1984 the "big news" was overshadowed by the release of the M491 "Turbo Look"
Body (dubbed the "Supersport" in the United Kingdom). It's body style resembled the Porsche 930 Turbo race car with the
Wide Wheel Arches and distinctive 'Tea Table" Rear Spoiler. It, too, featured
the Turbo Suspension, Brakes and wider 8" Turbo Rear Wheels. Sales were
particularly strong in the USA but, nothing compared to the commotion caused by the release of
the 911 Porsche "Speedster"
in 1989. Code named the
Porsche M503 "Speedster"
it
was a great dedication to the original low-roof version of the Cabriolet
which was a direct descendant ....evocative of the
356
Speedster.
Once again, It was produced in low volume with only 2104
built for the USA and ROW (Rest of World)
total. Production started in January and continued through the Summer of July
1989. Of the 2,104 built, 171 were the Narrow Body Version. That leaves
1933 Widebody
Versions,
and only 830 of those were
U.S.A. bound.
This design was actually conceived in 1983 by Helmut Bott
but, was not finished / released for production until 1989. In reality, it was
in answer to poor sales reports in Stuttgart. Just like
the original 356 Speedster this model was created to bolster waffling sales.
The factory brochure read :
"this 1989 six cylinder engine model range is enriched
with a new model version , the "911 Speedster". It is based on the 911 Carrera.
A shorter windshield and manually operated temporary canvas top, which is stored
underneath a rear lid made of plastic ( sic: fiberglass), are the main features
of this 911 Speedster".
Dr. Ing. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft also inserted further notes in the U.S. supplemental brochure that stated:
"The 911 Speedster was essentially designed as a fine weather vehicle specially for those who love 'open air driving'. In contrast to the 911 Cabriolet, which naturally has a fully adequate folding top, your 911 Speedster is fitted with a light emergency folding top....the 911 Speedster cannot be washed in car washes and therefore must be washed by hand".Many folks that bought these didn't even realize the
windshield was completely removable so, if you loved the idea of smiling with the wind in
your face (and bugs in your teeth), you'd love this model.
The 911 Speedster became a 'instant collectable'
and re-sale prices exceeded list price (Muhroney Sticker) as much as $37-39,000.
Like anything 'NEW', after about 36 months, the resale value dropped as
low as $45,000 but, within a few years, and a couple of magazine articles later,
prices soared again.... snapping back with a vengeance.
Incredibly, like the original Speedster, some enthusiasts
consider it 'ugly' while others celebrate it's release as.......... "The
Second (Speedster ) Coming"..
Unlike the original, which was strictly bare bones,...the
'new' Porsche Speedster came with roll-up windows as standard equipment and
could carry any option available
on the basic 911. The base sticker price of $65,480 could quickly rise to over
$75,000-$80,000. Fact is, many early orders were built
without Air Conditioning as dealers felt customers would want to
replicate the 'barebones' history.
Unlike the pre-Carerra 4, the new Speedster would not be considered "The Porsche of The Future" as, it would be
the last air-cooled Porsche built at the old factory in Stuttgart. Starting with the 964 chassis, Porsche shifted all new production to a more modern plant near it's headquarters. Actually, that fact has done more to BOLSTER the 1989 Speedster's value than hinder it. That... and the latest water-cooled 2011 Speedster window sticker, which carries a list price of over $200,000.The only thing that remains guaranteed in concrete will be that owning a Porsche Speedster is as close as you will get to
'money in the bank'.
~ ADDED TO OUR MUSEUM COLLECTION ~