In 1954, Porsche importer Max Hoffmann persuaded the Stuttgart automaker to develop a minimalist, budget-friendly version of the 356 tailored for purists. The result was the 1500 Speedster, priced at $2,995 (equivalent to around $35,000 today—if only a time machine were at hand). The Speedster concept was an instant success, bolstered by icons like James Dean, and since the late 1980s, Porsche has occasionally revived the Speedster name for special 911 convertibles.
However, one generation missed out on the Speedster treatment: the 993, which was produced from 1994 to 1998 and is revered as the last air-cooled 911. Unlike its predecessor, the 964, which had a Speedster variant, the 993 was only crafted into two Speedsters—one for Ferdinand Alexander “Butzi” Porsche, the 911’s designer, and one for Jerry Seinfeld.
These rare cars are nearly impossible to obtain, but Porsche’s Sonderwunsch division offers an alternative. They can create or modify any Porsche your budget allows, essentially working under your direction as a project manager. When Italian designer Luca Trazzi envisioned a 993 Speedster, Sonderwunsch brought his dream to life. After three years of meticulous work, Trazzi’s custom 993 Speedster debuted at The Quail during Monterey Car Week.
This bespoke 993 Speedster is based on a 1994 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Its standout feature, aside from the eye-catching Otto Yellow paint (named after Trazzi’s dog), is the distinctive black-and-yellow fairing that extends from behind the rear seats into the body.
The car’s body has been altered, drawing inspiration from Turbo models for the quarter panels and lower body trim, while the thin-frame windshield harkens back to the original 356 Speedster. The interior is adorned with black leather featuring yellow checkering, stitching, and accents. The powertrain and running gear are authentic to the 993 era, sourced from the 993 Carrera RS, with a 3.8-liter six-cylinder boxer engine delivering 300 horsepower.
Whether you love or hate it is irrelevant—this is one man’s vision brought to life, showcased at The Quail as a reminder that you, too, can have your dream Porsche built by Porsche. That’s the purpose of Sonderwunsch: you provide the vision, they assess its feasibility, you pay a substantial amount, and they turn your dream Porsche into reality, surpassing even Porsche’s Exclusive customization options. Don’t fancy Trazzi’s 993 Speedster? Design your own!