Truly one of the most iconic cars of its era, Porsche’s 356 Speedster was the brainchild of New York-based dealer Max Hoffman.

Conceived to give Porsche a better foothold in the US market, the diminutive Speedster offered bare-bones performance that was thrilling on the streets.

First advertised at $2,995, it was a bargain compared to its British competitors and quickly proved to be a huge hit with enthusiasts not only in the US, but worldwide.

The Speedster name was later revived for the G-Series 911 of 1989, the later 964 generation, continuing to the 993-era 911.

The model has always been heralded as one of the most desirable in Porsche’s range—and one that kept Stuttgart firmly in touch with its roots.

For the 997-generation 911, the new Speedster was introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and—true to its heritage—it was coveted as an instant modern-day hit.

Using the Carrera GTS as a base, and with the Powerkit-equipped 3.8-litre flat-six at its heart, the Speedster came e...