Unveiled at Monterey Car Week, we explore Porsche Sonderwunsch's latest creation and other custom-builds based on the 993 chassis
by Khris Bharath on August 19, 2024, 08:00The Porsche 993 Speedster is often described as a unicorn in the automotive world. While the German automaker has produced over 30 different iterations of the iconic 911 over the decades, the Speedster remains one of the most unique and desirable variants to date. Unfortunately, not all 911 generations exist in Speedster form, and the Type 993 is one such example. Officially, the last air-cooled 911 was never sold as a Speedster due to Porsche facing financial difficulties in the 1990s. Now, a passionate designer and Speedster collector, Luca Trazzi turned to Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program (Special Request) to bring his vision of a Type 993 911 Speedster to life.
Luca Trazzi Realizes His 993 Speedster Dream With Porsche’s Sonderwunsch Program
Speedsters are designed for drivers seeking classic, open-top thrills in a lightweight, bare-bones sports car. The Speedster body style is defined by its short, steeply raked windshield, embodying the quintessential "wind in your hair" driving experience. Unlike traditional convertibles, the Speedster features no roof; the closest it comes is a tonneau cover stored behind the seats. This design philosophy dates back to the original Porsche Speedster, which began with the 356 model in 1948, aimed at breaking into the American sports car market.
Trazzi too had a similar vision and embarked on a three-year project to develop a one-off Speedster. Unveiled at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering in Monterey, California, the car not only embraces Trazzi’s design prowess but also the collaborative spirit of Porsche’s Sonderwunsch team. His build is based on a 1994 911 Carrera Cabriolet, enhanced with components like front spoiler, side skirts, and rear quarter panels inspired by a 993 Turbo.
The car features a striking “Otto Yellow” paint, named after Trazzi’s dog, and is complemented by black shark fin rock protectors, bespoke 18-inch Turbo-style wheels, and Porsche’s signature four-point headlights. Inside, the Speedster showcases a black leather interior with yellow accents, carbon fiber details, and modern technology like Apple CarPlay. Mechanical parts like running gear, including engine, chassis, and brakes, come from the 993 Carrera RS, with the 3.8-liter air-cooled flat-six engine putting out 300 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Feature | Value | |
---|---|---|
Base car | 1994 911 Carrera Cabriolet (Type 993) | |
Engine | Air-cooled six-cylinder boxer from the 911 Carrera RS (Type 993) | |
Displacement | 3.8 liters | |
Horsepower | 300 hp | |
Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | |
Wheels | 18-inch light alloy wheels in Turbo design, painted black with yellow pinstripe | |
Exterior color | Otto Yellow (custom color) | |
Interior | Black leather with yellow stitching, checkered yellow and black seat centers, carbon fiber elements | |
Infotainment | Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM) with navigation and Apple CarPlay | |
Other | Unique rear cowl and windshield design, black conical exterior mirrors, black stone chip protection sheets, illuminated carbon fiber door sill trims with individual logo |
Other Noteworthy Type-993 Speedster Conversions
It is worth noting that despite the absence of a production 993 Speedster, Porsche did create one notable example for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the grandson of the brand’s founder (the dark green example seen above). This one-off model, built for Butzi Porsche’s 50th birthday in 1995, remains a cherished piece of automotive history. It was based on the 993 Cabriolet and featured parts sourced from the 964 Speedster.
In addition to Butzi’s creation, there have been a few more conversions of the 993 into Speedster form, including a notable conversion for American actor Jerry Seinfeld (the silver car). His Speedster S features a wide body and modern enhancements, showcasing the potential for reimagining the classic Speedster concept. Another example, owned by Jäger and Karen was converted from a 1995 993 Cabriolet into a Speedster (red-example in the image above), using 964 parts. In the aftermarket scene, California-based Restomodder Gunther-Werks commissioned a 993 Speedster (the second green example with the contrast Porsche script), while Toyo Tires showcased a custom 993 Speedster (white example seen above) at SEMA 2018.
The creation of Trazzi’s 993 Speedster, which is officially Porsche’s third-ever 993 Speedster, highlights the growing importance of Porsche’s Sonderwunsch program, which specializes in bespoke projects. It is worth noting that Porsche’s Special Wishes program is mainly available to some of its most loyal customers. Expect a long wait period with a steep price (think north of $100k) But given how evolved and mature the market for resto-mod based on Porsches are at the moment, it was about time that the German automaker themselves start to cash in on the action by revisiting rare past models. We’ve already seen old names like the Dakar make a comeback. As the demand for exclusive and personalized vehicles continues to rise, I anticipate more extraordinary creations from this division.
Khris Bharath
Khris is a Mechanical Engineer and a classic car aficionado, who adores his Jags, Alfas, and old-school American muscle cars. He keeps tabs on everything from super exotics like an old EB 110 to the latest from Lucid and geeks out on three-row family haulers. Formula One remains very close to his heart, and he diligently makes time to tune in for the Grand Prix on Sundays. Khris also loves his road trips and he prefers a stick shift over an auto. Read full bio