A 997 Speedster for a Quarter of the Price

The 911 GTS Cabriolet is a Speedster for Drivers

The OG Speedster was a Chapman-esque model launched by Porsche in 1953 to simplify and add lightness to the 356.  The first 911 Speedster came in 1988 with its shortened/raked windshield and double-bubble humps behind the cockpit; next came the 964 Speedster in 1993, exactly two 993 Speedsters in 1995 (one each for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche and Jerry Seinfeld), a 997 Speedster in 2010, and most recently the 991 Speedster in 2019.  Much could be written about each of these models, but in this post we’ll focus on the 997.

Although the 997 Speedster paid homage to the original with a production run limited to 356 units, it was more of an exercise in badge engineering than simplifying and adding lightness.  Witness the complexity of the clamshell covering the convertible top storage area as proof that neither of these design elements were in focus by 2010, but that’s not to say that the 997 Speedster is a poor spec. 

In fact, the 997 Speedster offered one of the few ways to buy a wide body, two-wheel drive, naturally aspirated 911: in essence making it a special edition 997 GTS.  With the models sharing far more similarities than differences, one could even say that the 997 GTS Cabriolet and the 997 Speedster are fraternal twins.

Mechanically, the GTS Cabriolet and the Speedster are the same car with their key differences related mostly to cosmetics.  The following table outlines these differences:

Except for the windshield, most other cosmetic differences can be easily addressed with aftermarket parts; even the double-bubble clamshell is available for those wanting a Speedster look for their GTS.  

One notable mechanical difference between the two models is the transmission as the Speedster is only available with the PDK.  Porsche had just introduced the PDK with the 997.2 model, so many cars were spec-ed with the new gearbox from the factory.  For example, estimates show that more than 60% of the 2010 – 2012 GTS cars sold in North America also included the PDK.

That leaves us with price.  The $90k+ gap at launch has only continued to widen thanks to the Speedster’s limited production run.  The CLASSIC.COM Market Benchmark data shows a wide range between the GTS Cabriolet Manual/PDK and the Speedster:

If you’re a buy & hold collector, then the exclusivity of the Speedster will play in your favor, and the 997 version is likely a good model to hold in your portfolio.  However, if you’re a driver, then the 997 GTS Cabriolet offers an experience so close to a Speedster that few would notice the difference; at a fraction of the price and available with a 6 speed manual transmission as a bonus!  

PS: If that’s not enough to entice you, add that the next Speedster after the 997, the 991 launched in 2019, is based on the GT3 which is not available as a Cabriolet.  The 911 GTS Cabriolet is a Speedster for drivers and this is only true with the 997 generation.