Open-Top Obsession: The Porsche 997 Speedster from Schaltkulisse

In the pantheon of automotive legends, few badges carry as much weight, history, and sheer evocative power as the “Speedster.” It is a name that conjures images of wind-swept coastlines, James Dean cool, and a driving experience that is as visceral as it is stylish.

For Porsche aficionados, the 997 generation represents a “goldilocks” era of the 911—the perfect synthesis of modern reliability and analogue feedback. When you combine that celebrated chassis with the Speedster ethos, you get something truly spectacular.

Enter the Porsche 997 Speedster, a machine that is currently sitting in the Munich showroom of Schaltkulisse, waiting for a driver who understands that rarity is the ultimate luxury.

Unveiled in 2010, this model wasn’t just another convertible; it was a rolling birthday cake celebrating 25 years of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. To honor the lineage, Porsche limited production to a strictly symbolic 356 units worldwide, a direct nod to the original 1950s 356 Speedster that started it all.

While most of these 356 units left the factory in Pure Blue or Carrera White, the example currently on offer is something far more elusive. It is one of a believed 12 units finished in a sinister, Paint-to-Sample (PTS) Black. If driving a limited edition wasn’t enough, driving one that makes up less than 4% of the total production run certainly ups the ante.

Visually, the 997 Speedster is a masterclass in proportion. It takes the wide-hipped body of the Carrera GTS and chops the windscreen, giving it a rakish, aggressive stance that looks fast even when parked. The defining feature, however, is the “double-hump” rear decklid made of carbon fiber, which hides the manual soft top and streamlines the profile into a pure aerodynamic teardrop.

Beneath that sculpted rear lies the beating heart of the car: a naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat-six engine. Producing 408 horsepower—23 more than the standard GTS—it sends power to the rear wheels via a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. It sprints to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, but frankly, in a car like this, the 0-60 time is secondary to the symphony of the engine note with the roof down.

The interior of this specific example is a testament to the obsessive capabilities of the Porsche Exclusive department. The original owner specified a black interior with stark white accents, creating a tuxedo-like aesthetic that perfectly complements the PTS exterior.

No surface was left untouched; leather wraps every concealable inch, including the door handles and even the air vent slats, a detail that speaks to the bespoke nature of the commission.

Delivered new in 2011 via Porsche Zentrum Soest, this German-market example has lived a pampered existence. It shows a mere 1,900km on the odometer, making it effectively a brand-new car despite being over a decade old.

It comes with a complete history, including a fresh service carried out in December 2024 at Porsche Zentrum Bremen, ensuring that it is mechanically as flawless as it is cosmetically.

Priced at €325,000, this 997 Speedster represents a significant investment, but one that ticks every box for the serious collector: extremely low mileage, high specification, and scarcity.

It is a rare opportunity to own one of the most distinctive silhouettes in 911 history, in a color that few have ever seen in the metal. For those who believe the journey is better with the wind in your hair, your chariot has arrived.

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