1,156 miles from new
1989 Porsche 911 'Wide Body' Speedster
Registration no. G931 BPC
Chassis no. WPOZZZ91ZKS152028

Porsche's first take on a convertible 911 had been the Targa model of 1965, a 'halfway house' design chosen because of fears that a genuine soft-top would not meet US Federal safety regulations, but by 1981 the company felt able to proceed with the genuine article. Introduced in normally aspirated 3.0-litre form in 1982, the 911 Cabriolet lost little, if any, rigidity with the deletion of the Targa roll-over bar, while its speedily raised/lowered top featured a detachable, zip-fastened rear window. The 911 Cabriolet proved a hit from the moment of its debut at the Geneva Salon in March 1982 and by the end of the 1983 model year had sold over 4,000 units, a total some 50% higher than that achieved by the cheaper Targa version.

Completing the soft-top 911 line-up was the Speedster, which revived a charismatic model from Porsche's past when it arrived in 1989, the name previously having been applied to that most stylish of the many Type 356 variants. Based on the 911 Turbo Cabriolet, though normally aspirated, the 3.2-litre Speedster was launched immediately prior to the introduction of the new Type 964 bodyshell, and thus was the last 911 model to feature the old style body based on the original design of 1963.

The latter was reworked by chief stylist Tony Lapine, incorporating numerous references to the original 356 Speedster as well as a pair of controversial 'camel hump' cowlings behind the seats that concealed the stowed-away manual hood, a simplified affair described by the factory as for 'temporary' use. From 1984 Porsche offered the 'Turbo Look' body style - flared wheelarches, large rear wing and deeper front spoiler - on its normally aspirated models including the Speedster, the vast majority of which were ordered with this option. One of the rarest of the 911 family, the Speedster was built during 1989 only, a mere 2,065 cars being completed of which only 65 were imported into the UK in right-hand drive configuration.

This rare, right-hand drive 911 Speedster was purchased as a one-owner car at Brooks' auction at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu in July 1999 (Lot 422). 'G931 BPC' had covered only 1,081 miles from new at time of purchase. Since acquisition the vehicle has been kept in heated and dehumidified storage, with just 75 dry miles having been added whilst maintaining the vehicle in showroom condition. The present total mileage from new now reads 1,156 miles. Meticulously maintained by the vendor's own in-house mechanical engineers, the vehicle presents 'as new', with no known faults or issues. Finished in Guards Red with Linen leather interior and black hood, this rare and highly collectible modern Porsche is offered complete with all handbooks, tools, spare keys, service and maintenance records, previous and present MoT (expiry June 2015) and V5C registration document.