Vehicle Description
Chassis No. WP0ZZZ91ZKS152624
Engine No. 64K06565
Transmission No. 2K00577
Recognizing the importance of the iconic open-topped Speedster
across the globe following the introduction of the 911 Cabriolet in
1982, plans began to take shape for a new Speedster model utilizing
the "G-Series" 911 platform. Materializing in 1986 as the Speedster
Studie, the modern interpretation utilized the narrow-body 911
Carrera 3.2 with a low wraparound screen and distinctive raised
double-hump hard tonneau cover behind the front seats. The
Pearlescent White Metallic concept dazzled audiences at the 1987
Frankfurt Motor Show, and, fittingly, was on sale in production
form by 1989, just in time to celebrate 25 years of the 911 and bid
farewell to the spectacular G-Series generation of 911. The
one-year-only Speedster was typically based on the wider body of
the 911 Turbo Cabriolet, which was revised by chief designer Tony
Lapine to incorporate numerous styling features of the original 356
Speedster. It featured the Turbo's flared fenders as well as a
highly raked windshield that transitioned through a low-slung
Haartz fabric soft top to a raised hump-back hard tonneau cover
replacing the rear seats to complete the iconic Speedster shape.
The brakes, suspension, and wider Fuchs wheels were also borrowed
from the 911 Turbo. Curiously, two styling elements from the 911
Turbo did not typically feature on Lapine's Speedster: the larger
front spoiler and the Turbo's iconic rear wing.
For some customers, the lack of front and rear spoilers was an
affront to the muscular look of the Turbo-bodied Speedster, a look
perhaps better suited to the narrow-bodied version. No, for them
only a 'Full Turbo Look" would do, and "Full" meant the deeper
front spoiler with its full-width lower lip and the iconic rear
Turbo tail. Of the 2,104 1989 911 Speedsters produced, just 69 were
specially ordered with option code M491 "Full Turbo Look," a
configuration noted to be available only to the Swiss, New
Zealander, and Australian markets.
One of the rare 3 percent of Speedsters so ordered, this 1989 911
Speedster M491 Full Turbo Look was originally ordered by Charlie
Zeller of Wil, Switzerland, owner of Zeller Wil AG, a specialized
dealer of jewelry and timepieces. In addition to the rarely seen
M491 option code, Zeller specified his new Speedster in classic
Grand Prix White over a Black full leather interior selecting
limited slip differential (M220) and air conditioning (M559) as
additional factory fitted options. According to the original
Warranty and Maintenance book the car was delivered to Zeller via
City Garage AG in Lerchenfeld, Switzerland on 2 August 1989. At a
point, Zeller parted with the car, selling it to Robert Halter of
Wetzikon and then later Bauma, Switzerland. The service book
records servicing at official Swiss-based Porsche dealerships under
their ownership. The car was clearly well enjoyed during the Alpine
driving season throughout the 1990s by both as evidenced by the
51,818 kilometers (approximately 32,200 miles) accumulated by the
end of the decade.
In 2002 this example, one of just 69 M491 Full Turbo Look
Speedsters, became an early member of the consignor's
world-renowned Swiss-based Porsche collection. Known best for an
impressive selection of factory produced "one-offs," this, the
rarest 1989 911 Speedster variant, found an open arm welcome.
Acquired with approximately 60,250 kilometers, the car would, along
with the rest of the collection, make the move to the United States
in 2020. Today, this rare Speedster retains its factory protection
wax and features 66,735 kilometers-just 6,485 additional km since
acquisition-a sure sign of the preservation and care afforded under
current ownership. No doubt this rarest variant of the 911
Speedster remains a highly collectible automobile and is offered
with a fresh service from Sacio Enterprises from a world-famous
Porsche collection with its original tools, jack, spare, and set of
books.