Fantasy Junction

Description

1989 Porsche Speedster
VIN WP0EB0911KS173254, engine no. 64K05838
Grand Prix White with Black Leather Interior

Produced for just six months from January 1989 to July of 1989, the Speedster represented the swan song for Porsche’s venerable G-series chassis, the last and best-developed version of the original analog torsion-bar cars. The cars represented the end of an era for the 911: there was no power steering and no ABS, and only one computer in the car, the ECU for the 3.2 liter flat six. The transmission was the highly desirable G50 5-speed unit, which featured improved durability, dramatically more modern user interface (Car and Driver had complained about the antiquated 915 gearbox in 1975, and it soldiered on until 1986), better synchromesh, and hydraulic clutch.

Like the 356 Speedster before it, the 911 Speedster was a simpler, lighter, and more aggressive car compared to the Cabriolet on which it was based. The windscreen was three inches shorter and raked five degrees more, and the top was a single layer affair intended for temporary use only. The doors had no fixed quarter windows and the top profile gave the car a sinister “outlaw” appearance with the top raised. The rear seats were deleted and covered with a fiberglass tonneau cover painted to match the car’s exterior. The windows were manual instead of electric, and niceties such as central locking were eliminated as well.

In all, 2,104 Speedsters were built, of which 823 came to the US. Almost all of the Speedsters built were optioned with code M491, which included lurid Turbo specification fender flares, suspension, and the fantastic 4-piston brakes with cross-drilled rotors that originated on the 917. The cars were rapidly snapped up by enthusiasts, collectors, and speculators alike, with some examples trading above $100,000 in the early years after the car’s release, despite its original sticker price of $65,480. Today their rarity, light weight, distinctive styling, and embodiment of the ultimate development of the original 911 formula means they are highly sought after and extremely collectable.

This particular car is truly an investment grade example, being a highly complete example in outstanding original condition with less than 11,300 miles from new. A two owner car from new, this example must be one of the best-documented examples extant, with a host of unusual internal documents such as shipping manifest, order amendment submitted to Porsche AG, and dealer order forms submitted to Porsche Cars North America. The car also has the usual documentation more commonly seen with fastidiously owned cars, including tools, records, Speedster brochure, books and manuals including Speedster supplement, key card, and window sticker.

Sold new at Riviera Motors in Portland, Oregon, the car was ordered on the 25th of October 1988 and specified with the following options: raised steering wheel hub, limited slip differential, short shifter, electric seats, sport shocks, air conditioning, and black velour trunk liner. The car’s first owner took delivery of the car with 25 miles on the odometer on the 25th of July 1989 for $75,947. Both the purchase orders from October of 1988 and July of 1989 are included with the car, as is a letter from Porsche that accompanies the Speedster owner’s manual supplement. There is also an internal communication from the original ordering dealer requesting the addition of cruise control to the car’s specification, dated 6 March 1989. The car’s first owner kept the car in Portland until its second owner, a resident of Oakland, California, purchased it on 7 September 2000 with 9395 miles on the clock. He has used the car extremely sparingly and obsessively serviced the car, changing the oil every year, and accumulating less than 2000 additional miles, bringing the car to its current odometer reading of less than 11,300 miles. The car has extensive service records indicating the care the car has received, as well as the accumulation of mileage to its current odometer reading.

The car is virtually unmodified, with a few easily reversible changes including a Monte muffler, Autothority chip, and aftermarket stereo. The tweeters were hung from the kick panels rather than permanently affixed to avoid making any holes in the interior. The original Blaupunkt Reno radio is included with the car. The car has also been fitted with sport seats from another Speedster in place of the original non sport seats. A set of colored wheel crests have been fitted, and the originals are included with the car. The car is extremely complete with tools, jack, books (including Speedster supplement), bra, both keys, key card, and a host of original sales materials including rare 1989 Speedster brochure.

The car is in exceptional original condition, with excellent original paint, which is essentially flawless other than a chip on the front bumper and one on the rim of the gas flap aperture. The glass, trim, and lights are all in excellent as-new condition. The wheels are virtually unmarked, besides a small area of curb rash on the right rear wheel, and a blemish in the anodized finish of the left rear wheel. The top is in excellent original condition, including the rear window.

The interior is in equally nice condition, with excellent upholstery, carpets, dashboard, instruments, and switches. The leather is supple and virtually unmarked, the gauges unfaded, and the entire interior gives the impression of a virtually unused car that is exceptional given that the car is twenty-five years old.

The engine compartment is equally impressive, being extremely clean and completely unmodified. The cadmium plating looks brand new, and aside from some light dust, the engine compartment is extremely clean. The front compartment is in equally nice condition, with no modifications and excellent presentation, including the trunk floor and inner fenders without the carpets in. The correct alloy spare is in place as well, are the jack and even the plastic spare tire changing gloves.

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a superbly-documented, highly original two-owner 11,000 mile 1989 Speedster. With absolutely no excuses, this car is an investment grade example that is turnkey and one of just 823 examples built for the US market.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608