Check out Gunther Werks’ glorious 993 Speedster

By topgear, 24 February 2021

Presumably for legal reasons, what you see above is known as the 993 Speedster Remastered by Gunther Werks. In reality, it’s the Californian company’s take on the ultimate open-topped, air-cooled Porsche 911. 

Just stunning, isn’t it? Gunther Werks has been restomodding 993 coupes for a number of years now and has always said that production would be limited to just 25 examples. Now we know what’s coming afterwards, and we’re very excited indeed. 

The Speedster will also be limited to 25 units and uses the same air-cooled 4.0-litre flat-six Rothsport Racing engine, albeit with a new map that offers a slight increase on the current 440hp and 455Nm of torque. Should still rev to 7,800rpm, though. Lovely. 

There’s no word on the gearbox that’ll send that power to the rear wheels, so we can safely assume it’ll be the same reborn, lightweight Getrag G50 six-speed manual setup that the coupe gets. The lightweight, performance-focused suspension will also carry over from the hard-top. 

Here’s the big news though. Customers buying the Speedster will get the choice between the raked windscreen you see here, or no screen altogether for the full flies-in-face experience. 

Gunther Werks also says that there’s extra chassis strengthening in the space where you’d usually find a 993’s rear seats. The custom cover for that section is made from carbonfibre (as are pretty much all of the body panels) and also houses a fabric roof. A new roll cage and roll hoop system also contribute to chassis stiffness and improve safety.

The carbonfibre front bumper has been slightly restyled from the coupe’s – just in case you needed any help telling the two apart – and the bonnet is now 25 per cent lighter thanks to a single skin construction.

There are several forged wheel options, although you should absolutely go for these centre-locking, Fuchs-style five-spokes, and the rear brings a revised ducktail spoiler, a ram air scoop and 3D-printed Inconel exhaust tips. Crikey.

We reckon you’ve missed the greatest detail of all, though. Have a look at those wonderful billeted aluminium wing mirrors. Nerds like us will remember that Porsche teased similar items on its recent 911 Speedster concept, before binning them for the production car. These make us happy. 

The interior will include a carbonfibre dash panel with LED shift lights, redesigned pedals with more ergonomic positioning, carbonfibre floor panels and hollow carbon fibre seat shells with ‘lightweight cushions’ to reduce drag (they’re mounted lower) and lower the weight even further. 

There’s no word on the cost as of yet, but prices for a 993 coupe conversion at Gunther Werks hover around the £400,000 mark. Expect this to be well over half a million. We’ll take ours in green’n’tan, thanks…

STORY Greg Potts

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