The Porsche 911 Speedster is a limited-production, open-top variant of the 911 with a lower windshield, a manual soft top instead of a powered convertible roof, and a distinctive double-bubble rear deck. Porsche has built Speedster versions across five generations: the G-body (1989), 993 (1995), 997 (2010), and 991 (2019). Total production across all generations is under 3,000 cars.
Contents
- 1 Quick Summary
- 2 The Speedster Heritage
- 3 G-Body Speedster (1989)
- 4 993 Speedster (1995)
- 5 997 Speedster (2010)
- 6 991 Speedster (2019)
- 7 All Speedsters Compared
- 8 Market Values
- 9 Renn Driver's Take
- 10 FAQs
- 11 Final Thoughts
The full guide below covers all the details.
Quick Summary
- Generations: G-body (1989), 993 (1995), 997 (2010), 991 (2019)
- Defining features: Lower windshield, manual soft top, double-bubble rear deck, lightweight construction
- Total production (all gens): Under 3,000 units
- Most recent: 991 Speedster (2019), 502 hp naturally aspirated flat-six, 6-speed manual, 1,948 units
- Rarest: 993 Speedster (1995), only 2 units built
- Key difference from Cabriolet: The Speedster has a lower windshield, a simpler manual top, and is lighter. The Cabriolet has a full-height windshield and a powered folding roof.
The Speedster Heritage
The Speedster name goes back to 1954, when Porsche built the 356 Speedster as a lightweight, affordable open-top sports car for the American market. It became one of the most iconic Porsches ever made.
When Porsche revived the Speedster name for the 911 in 1989, they kept the same philosophy: take a standard model, lower the windshield, simplify the top mechanism, remove weight, and build fewer of them. Every 911 Speedster since has followed that formula.
G-Body Speedster (1989)
The first G-body 911 Speedster arrived in 1989 as a send-off for the G-body generation. Porsche built approximately 2,104 units in both narrow-body and Turbo-look wide-body configurations.
The windshield sits roughly 3 inches lower than the standard Cabriolet. The manual soft top tucks under a fiberglass double-bubble cover that defines the Speedster look. The engine is the same 3.2L flat-six from the Carrera, producing 217 hp.
Narrow-body cars are more common. Turbo-look wide-body Speedsters are rarer and more valuable. Both are now firmly in the collector car market.
993 Speedster (1995)
The rarest 911 variant ever built is the 993 Speedster. Porsche produced only 2 units, both commissioned through the Porsche Exclusive department. They are based on the 993 Carrera with the Speedster treatment: lowered windshield, manual top, and double-bubble deck lid.
These cars almost never appear for sale. When they do, prices are well into seven figures. For most collectors, the 993 Speedster exists as something you read about but never see in person.
997 Speedster (2010)
Porsche brought the Speedster back properly with the 997 generation in 2010. They built 356 units, a deliberate nod to the original 356 Speedster.
The 997 Speedster uses the 3.8L flat-six from the Carrera S, producing 408 hp. It comes exclusively with a 7-speed PDK transmission. The body is based on the 997 GTS wide-body, and the car rides 24mm lower than the standard Carrera.
It was offered in two colors: Pure Blue (a heritage color) and white. Every car came with a Heritage Design package that included retro touches like Fuchs-style wheels and brown leather interior.
991 Speedster (2019)
The most recent and most powerful Speedster is based on the 991 generation. Porsche built 1,948 units, and every single one uses the naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six from the GT3, producing 502 hp. Transmission is a 6-speed manual only. No PDK option.
This is the enthusiast's Speedster. The GT3 engine, manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and open-top driving combine into something no other 911 offers. The car weighs approximately 3,230 lbs, about 200 lbs less than the GT3 Touring.
Porsche offered it in a Heritage Design Edition with a two-tone color scheme and retro graphics, as well as standard colors. The Heritage Design cars command a premium on the secondary market.
All Speedsters Compared
| G-Body (1989) | 997 (2010) | 991 (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.2L flat-six | 3.8L flat-six | 4.0L flat-six (GT3) |
| Power | 217 hp | 408 hp | 502 hp |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual | 7-speed PDK | 6-speed manual |
| Production | ~2,104 | 356 | 1,948 |
| NA/Turbo | NA | NA | NA |
The 993 Speedster (2 units) is excluded from the table because it is a one-off special that most people will never see.
Market Values
All Speedsters have appreciated significantly and are considered blue-chip collectibles.
- G-Body Speedster (narrow): $150,000 to $250,000
- G-Body Speedster (Turbo-look): $250,000 to $400,000
- 997 Speedster: $300,000 to $450,000
- 991 Speedster: $350,000 to $500,000
- 991 Speedster Heritage Design: $400,000 to $600,000+
The 991 Speedster is particularly strong because of the GT3 engine and manual combination. As the last naturally aspirated, manual 911 variant, its collector status is essentially guaranteed.
Renn Driver's Take
I have not driven this car yet, but I will update this section once I do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Porsche 911 Speedsters were made?
Total production across all generations is under 3,000 units. The G-body Speedster accounts for about 2,104, the 997 Speedster for 356, and the 991 Speedster for 1,948. The 993 Speedster had only 2 units built.
What engine does the 991 Speedster have?
The 991 Speedster uses the same 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six from the GT3. It produces 502 hp and revs to 9,000 rpm.
Does the 911 Speedster come with a manual transmission?
Yes, some 911 Speedsters come with a manual transmission. The G-body Speedster and the 991 Speedster both come with manual transmissions only. The 997 Speedster is PDK only.
How much is a Porsche 911 Speedster worth?
Porsche 911 Speedster values range from $150,000 for a G-body narrow-body to over $500,000 for a 991 Heritage Design Edition. All Speedsters are appreciating collectibles.
What is the difference between a Speedster and a Cabriolet?
The Speedster has a lower windshield, a manual soft top that stows under a double-bubble cover, and lighter construction. The Cabriolet has a full-height windshield and a powered folding roof. The Speedster is rarer and more expensive.
Will Porsche make a 992 Speedster?
No, Porsche has not announced a 992 Speedster as of early 2026. The 991 Speedster may have been the last one, given the shift toward electrification in future 911 generations.
Final Thoughts
The Speedster is Porsche at its most romantic. Every generation strips away complexity and adds character. The lower windshield, the manual top, the double-bubble deck, the limited numbers. These are cars built for people who want to feel the air and hear the engine without a filter.
The 991 Speedster, with its GT3 engine and manual gearbox, might be the best open-top 911 ever made. It combines the raw mechanical appeal of the GT3 with the open-air experience of a convertible, wrapped in one of the most distinctive body styles in the 911 lineup.
If you get a chance to drive one, take it.
Images by: Alexander-93, Thesupermat, MB-one, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
