Build Your Dream: Crafting the Ultimate Porsche Speedster with Luca Trazzi
From the beginning, I searched everywhere but could not locate the car of my dreams. Thus, I decided to build it myself. Luca Trazzi embraced this iconic quote from Ferry Porsche. The successful Milanese designer didn't just dream—he took action. His extensive Porsche Speedster collection lacked a 993-generation 911 Speedster.
Luca approached Porsche's Sonderwunsch team to bring his vision to life. Working alongside the experts, he turned his dream car into reality. Based on a 1994 911 Carrera Cabriolet (Type 993), the project took over three years to complete. This two-seater, featuring a distinctive rear lid and extensive technical modifications, stands out as a highlight at this year's Monterey Car Week (9 to 18 August 2024) in California.
"As a young boy, I fell deeply in love with the purist Porsche Speedster. Earning enough to afford my first Porsche, a 1955 Speedster 1600 Super, required immense effort. Since then, I've embraced my passion—or more precisely, my Speedster-mania," Luca Trazzi shares. "I planned to round off my collection with a Type 993 911 Speedster. Driven by passion, I designed what this model could look like. I aimed to blend the stylistic elements of all previous Speedster models. Despite evolving over its history, this model has maintained the elegance of its predecessors and remained true to its origins."
"This form and the vast array of modifications mark the 911 Speedster as our first Factory One-Off for an end customer," states Alexander Fabig, Vice President of Individualisation & Classic at Porsche. "This unique car showcases the possibilities within our Sonderwunsch programme, based on a classic 1994 Porsche 911." The project team also constructed a true-to-scale design model of the Speedster.
"Having a designer as a customer was an exhilarating experience. Since Luca and I speak the same language, our collaboration was creative and focused," notes Grant Larson, Director of Special Projects Design. "He was also deeply involved in the project, offering specific suggestions."
The project was initiated with a visit to the company archive to immerse in the history of the Speedster and generate new ideas. Luca Trazzi arrived at this initial meeting with his project book, filled with drafts and sketches, and a clear, defined idea for his unique Speedster. This approach aligned with the Factory One-Off philosophy, which focuses on a joint, creative car development process before the car is completed. The customer becomes an integral part of the project team, closely overseeing the implementation of their vision from a project manager's perspective.
Luca made multiple visits to Porsche throughout the project, utilising his project ID effectively. Among other activities, he observed his Speedster undergoing a cathodic dip-painting—a procedure typically reserved for new cars in the regular production process. Then, the complete manual painting cycle began. The vibrant yellow paint, named 'Otto Yellow' after his dog, was a custom colour and held personal significance.
"The rear lid, with its concave and convex shapes, demanded extensive work during the design, conception, and production phases," recalls Philipp Setter, Manager of Sonderwunsch Customer Consulting. "Yet, we successfully aligned Luca Trazzi’s design visions with Porsche’s processes and quality standards. Our Sonderwunsch motto is 'You dream it. We build it.'"
The rear lid and windscreen, typical for the Speedster, are framed only by a thin black border that enhances their impact. Further notable exterior features include the black, conical exterior mirrors in classic sports car designs of the 1960s and the four-point daytime running lights of modern Porsche models. Luca Trazzi completely redesigned the bodywork line for the rear lid.
The Speedster shines in Otto Yellow. This striking yellow was specially developed for this vehicle. Turbo design's 18-inch light alloy wheels are painted black, with a fine line in contrasting yellow. The black stone chip protection sheets in front of the rear wheels are functional design elements and notable features from other Speedster generations. They complement the black door handles and air intakes in the front spoiler. The Factory One-Off boasts a sporty look, with Sonderwunsch experts drawing on the front spoiler, side skirts, and rear fenders of the 911 Turbo (Type 993). The appearances of the indicators, taillights, and light strips have been reinterpreted.
The interior is dominated by black leather with decorative stitching in yellow. The headrests feature an embroidered Speedster logo. The visual centrepiece of the interior is the seat centres, which display a check design in yellow and black. It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with every check tailored and hand-sewn. The same pattern graces the front luggage compartment upholstered in leather, the car cover, and a matching touring bag. Carbon elements on the dashboard, centre console, handbrake, and gear levers further individualise the interior. The seat backs are also in carbon. For the first time in a Porsche 911 of Type 993, the carbon door sill trims are illuminated in 'Otto Yellow' and carry an individual logo.
The Porsche Classic Communication Management (PCCM) includes state-of-the-art infotainment with navigation and Apple CarPlay. These retrofit devices, developed by Porsche Classic, integrate the digital world into the brand's vintage and contemporary cars. The start screen was also customised for the customer.
The switches for the power windows also highlight the meticulous attention to detail, with the symbols redesigned to depict the typical Speedster sideline. A gilded ‘One-off’ badge on the dashboard attests to the car’s uniqueness.
The engine, chassis, steering, and brake system derive from the 911 Carrera RS (Type 993). At that time, Porsche's air-cooled six-cylinder boxer was the most powerful engine, with a displacement of 3.8 litres and a power output of 221 kW/300 PS.
There are precisely two units of the 911 Carrera Speedster based on the 993 generation. The first was developed in 1995 by the Exclusive department specifically for Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. The car is green with 17-inch light alloy wheels and a Tiptronic gearbox based on the Carrera body. This unit has since returned to the factory museum on loan from the family. A second 911 Speedster (Type 993) was built in 2001 for an American customer based on one of the last 993 Cabriolets from 1998. The sitcom star received his silver Speedster as a Turbo-width 4S model with 18-inch wheels.
The Speedster presented here has a different origin story and is differentiated from its predecessors by its unique design and technical components.
Porsche is redefining its legendary Sonderwunsch programme from the late 1970s to enable customised, one-off cars—co-designed by the customer and realised professionally by Porsche. This individualisation option is available for road-approved Porsche cars of all ages. Depending on the vehicle, the work itself is performed by either Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur or Porsche Classic experts.
Building a Sonderwunsch Factory One-Off as the ultimate format involves three critical milestones. The process begins with the customer’s idea, which they communicate to a Sonderwunsch customer consultant via their Porsche Centre. If, after an initial assessment, the Porsche experts consider the idea feasible, Porsche invites the customer to a project meeting. In the concept phase, specifications are drawn up with designers and experts from the respective areas. In the end, the customer decides whether to proceed with the project.
In the third phase, the components are developed, and the car is built. The design, engineering, and development departments collaborate closely with the Porsche production facilities' mechanics, body builders, and paint specialists. If necessary, specialists from the Development Centre in Weissach or other company areas can also be consulted, and test facilities such as engine test benches can be used. The dream car takes shape through manual craftsmanship with the constant involvement of the customer.
Luca Trazzi, architect and industrial designer, was born in Verona in 1962. Awarded the Carlo Scarpa prize at a young age, he spent fifteen years working alongside Aldo Rossi as a close collaborator and assistant. Today, he operates in Milan and China. He is also one of the founders of designboom.com and designs for the world's most prestigious international brands. Luca Trazzi loves to create objects that defy trends. "Objects that are easy to use, to understand, beautiful to look at. Objects with simple, captivating shapes, lines that never go out of style," explains Luca Trazzi. "Attention to detail is the hallmark of my work. In addition to design, I interpret places artistically through installations that serve as 'staging', almost in an open-air theatre, reflecting my visions and thoughts."
