Porsche wants to put you in the driver’s seat in the fight against Covid-19. Quite literally in fact, because the German brand is auctioning off the last 991 Speedster for charity.
RM Sotheby’s is hosting the online-only auction for the 2019 911 Speedster ‘Heritage Edition’, which ends April 22. It’s the last model of the 991-designation Speedsters of just 1,948 to roll out of the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen factory, and all proceeds of the sale will benefit the United Way Worldwide COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund.
The winning bidder will get this lightened, special edition 911 that sports carbon fiber composite fenders and a ‘double streamliner’ rear deck, which houses a manually operated fabric roof, as well as a shortened and raked windshield. Underneath, the Speedster is based on the 911 GT3, so you know it’s got performance, with active suspension, rear-wheel steering and ceramic composite brakes. The 4.0-liter flat six engine pumps out 502hp and 346lb ft (469Nm) of torque, feeding through a six-speed manual gearbox.
But there’s more than just a car in this package. The winner will also receive a Porsche Design chronograph wristwatch engraved with a portion of the Speedster’s VIN, as well as a hardcover book that documents the build of this particular car. Delivery will be at the Quail at Monterey Car Week in August and there’s also an invitation to tour Porsche facilities in Germany.
The car itself is worth $311,940, while the watch is estimated at $10,000, so expect to see a fair chunk of change going to the United Way.
“Typically we would not auction a car that has historic relevance to us, it would go a special customer or in our museum,” Klaus Zellmer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, told ABC News. “We were looking for ideas to be a good citizen and to give back to the community.”
*Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s and Porsche
