1989 Porsche 911 “Turbo-Look” Speedster

Tony’s Take: The 1989 Porsche Speedster is hardly the speediest Porsche. Once upon a time, its six seconds sprint from 0 to 60 was considered lightning fast. With modern engine technology and materials, electrification and supercars a’ plenty, any vehicle that takes over four seconds to hit that mark is meh.

In the collector sports car market, sheer speed has become less important. Prestige, rarity and looks are gaining the upper hand. Which is why the narrow-body ’89 “Turbo-Look” Speedster – 1,894 of the 2,065 Speedsters built (823 sent stateside) during a single production year – has become a market fave.

The car was inspired by the 1985 911 Speedster concept, inspired by the 1954 Porsche 356 Speedster. 

The ’89 model shared the concept’s raked windshield and roll-away “light rain only” roof (3.1 inches shorter than a Carrera, stowed under the double-bubble rear tonneau cover).

“No-frills” much? Porsche dropped the front seats to accommodate the lower roof, deleted the rear seats and electric windows, and made the heater manual. In terms of hp sauce . . .

The Speedsters were equipped with the H-program’s 3.2-liter air-cooled flat six engine. It gave the Speedster 231 horsepower and 195 lb/ft. of torque. Power was fed through a five-speed Getrag G50 transaxle, and there were power-assisted, ventilated, and cross-drilled disc brakes with alloy calipers at all four corners. Turbo-look Speedsters were fitted with 7J and 9J 16-inch-diameter Fuchs forged alloy wheels and larger tires.

supercars.net

The 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster was due to sit on the in-development Type 964 chassis, but didn’t (uses ye olde 3.2 liter Carrera chassis). As a result, the ’89 Speedster is a little bastard to drive – if less daunting than previous “dentist killers” (#rearenginerespect).

The Speedster homage is more about image. I say this one of the best-looking Porkers of that or any other era.

The car up for grabs (no reserve) is Guards Red over black with optional sport seats, a limited slip differential and A/C. There are 2773 miles on the clock.

Low-mileage ’89 Speedsters are hovering around $350k. Broad Arrow put this car at $200k to $250k.

Porsche mania continues unabated. So I say this car does more. But even if it hits its estimate, it’s a great investment. Downside: In ’94, Porsche made 963 Carrera 2-based (air-cooled) Speedsters. In 2020, Porsche made 1948 (water-cooled) Speedsters, powered by a slightly detuned GT3 engine. Not everybody shares my positive view of the original non-original’s “humpback” design.