The Porsche 356 Speedster was a cultural symbol with Hollywood appeal. Produced from 1954-58 after having been commissioned for the U.S. market by importer Max Hoffman, the Speedster featured a minimalist design, with a low windshield, a folding fabric top, removable side curtains, and fixed-back bucket seats. The car helped establish Porsche’s motorsport reputation in the United States and was a massive commercial hit. And just look at those lines — it was captivating from every angle.
Genuine Speedsters are highly sought-after collectibles today; even “project” versions can command six-figure price tags. If your pockets are deep enough, a pristine, concours-ready version could go for upwards of $500,000 or more. At a much more achievable price point, a replica can deliver some of the same look and feel. Most replicas are built on a shortened Volkswagen Beetle floor pan, and some builders use custom tubular chassis.
Aside from its sleek lines, the Speedster was a decent performer. Power came from a rear-mounted, 1,600cc, air-cooled flat-four boxer engine mated to a four-speed manual transaxle. The “Super” variant was rated at 75 horsepower, a bump up from the standard car’s 60 horsepower.
The Speedster only weighed about 1,700 pounds, depending on model year and engine variant, and while it wasn’t a straight-line rocket, its handling made for an engaging driving experience. The car had a low center of gravity and precise steering, making it better suited to tight race circuits rather than long straightaways.
On display at the Kyusha Club meet in Phoenix was a silver Speedster 1600 Super. While I’m not sure if it was the real deal or a replica, it did make for a popular conversation piece at the event (which is geared toward 2005-and-older European and Japanese cars). Its VDO-branded odometer showed 74,726 kilometers (46,432 miles), so it had been driven a fair amount!
For some reason, the seats didn’t look too comfortable to me but, I suppose for an around-town Sunday drive, they could do the trick. The car must command a ton of onlooker attention.
I’ll probably never be in the market for a Speedster, whether original or reproduction, but I will always appreciate the car’s design and influence as a pioneer in Porsche performance.
