Creating A Limited Edition 911

Porsche Motorsport is the department known for producing the hard-core GT variants of 911s that seem to create insatiable demand from deep-pocketed enthusiasts and speculators collectors. Potentially inspired by the success of the Kardashian clan, Porsche Motorsport has decided to implant something extra special into the rear end of the 991 Speedster, the 4.0 liter flat-six engine from the 991 GT3 and 991 GT3 RS models. This marks the first time that Porsche has fixed a GT engine in a Speedster model.

Adding Lightness

Extensive use of carbon fiber composite on the frunk, front fenders, rear decklid, and interior gives the Speedster the lightness to match its slim-thick aesthetic. Weighing in at 3,230 pounds, only 77 pounds heavier than the current GT3 RS, its mother might actually be Kris Jenner.

I personally believe that convertibles are usually dynamically worse versions of cars that are reserved for people who needed more attention from their parental units. However, I will admit that the idea of manually shifting into the next gear with nothing between your ears and the noise of 9,000 rpms makes me quite fizzy. There isn’t another new car for sale with that unique offering. Maybe I am the one in need of converting.

Speaking of Exclusivity

Porsche is honoring the first year of registered a road car, 1948, by producing 1,948 examples of this limited run car. To put this into practical terms, there will be nearly twice as many Speedsters sitting in car bubbles than the total number of NSXs sold since 2016. To put it in Porsche terms, there will be over five times as many 991 Speedsters compared to the 356 units produced for the most recent 997 version. Exclusive.

1,948 seems like a rather large run compared to many other limited edition Porsches, but this may be a tactic Porsche is using to curb some of the speculative behavior that has run rampant across their most exclusive cars. The incredible 991 911 R was originally sold at $184,900, but the limited run of 991 units had resale values peaking well above $400,000 for many examples that were sold with delivery miles. That’s quite a few sausages that Porsche missed out on. The introduction of the GT3 Touring provided a dangerously similar package that owners, I suspect a fair number of 911 R owners included, would actually drive on the road as it wasn’t an officially limited production. Values dramatically fell once the GT3 Touring models became available, but are currently well above the original price.

Let the market decide

While nearly every outlet has babbled about how all of the Speedsters will be trading hands well above the expected $274,000 msrp, it will be interesting to see how the significant price premium and higher volume run impact speculators ability to flip a quick profit.

Regardless of what happens with the flippers, it is clear that Porsche has created another sports car that will get people giddy with excitement. If you plan on parting with your cash, just don’t get angry at Porsche for releasing the new GT3 Cabriolet and Targa models in 2021.

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