World's First Retro-Hypercar & 5 Epic Porsche Builds at 2024 Monterey Car Week

Back in 1954, Porsche importer Max Hoffmann persuaded Stuttgart to create a stripped-down, affordable “purist’s” version of the 356 America. The result was the 1500 Speedster, priced at just $2,995—which is about $35,000 in today’s money. Yes, you heard that right, a brand-new Porsche for $35,000! The concept was a hit, and since the late '80s, Porsche has occasionally revived the Speedster name for special edition 911s.

One version of the 911 that didn’t get much Speedsterization was the 993 produced between 1994 and 1998, notable for being the last air-cooled 911. In reality, only two 993 Speedsters ever left Stuttgart: a green one built in 1995 for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche’s 60th birthday and a silver one crafted in 2001 for comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

Good luck buying either one of those - but here’s some good news for you. Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division will custom-build or modify pretty much any Porsche your wallet will allow, effectively working under you as the project manager. So when Italian designer Luca Trazzi decided to create a 993 Speedster, Sonderwunsch made it happen. Three years in the making, Trazzi’s 993 made its debut at The Quail during this year’s Monterey Car Week.

This fresh take on the 993 Speedster is based on a 1994 911 Carrera Cabriolet, with its most eye-catching feature being the Otto Yellow paint, named after Trazzi’s dog, and the black-and-yellow fairing that extends from behind the rear seats into the bodywork. The body shape has been reworked with quarter panels and lower body trim inspired by Turbo variants and a slim, low-profile windshield reminiscent of the original 356 Speedster. Inside, black leather is accented with yellow checkered patterns, stitching, and trim. The powertrain and running gear stay true to the 993 Carrera RS, featuring a 3.8-liter flat-six engine delivering 300 horsepower.

For a project like this, the fee starts at $100,000, but one imagines it very quickly and sharply climbs from there. But in a world where so many want their own special Porsche, this is the ultimate thing.

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