Some cars are considered collectible the moment they roll off the showroom floor.

Prior to the release of the 964-generation 911, Porsche decided to build one such car, the one-year-only 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster.

An incredible decade of thrills and excess culminated in Porsche bosses grasping an opportunity to capitalise on the white-hot market for plush sports cars.

While the name “Speedster” had been coined by earlier marques, it was Porsche that cemented it in the public mind.

The nimble and spartan rear-engined 356 quickly made a name for itself in the popular culture of the mid-to-late 1950s, and soon became a dominant player in amateur sports car racing.

Today, the 356 Speedster remains highly sought-after, with the modern versions equally desirable.

Based upon the Carrera Cabriolet, the 1989 Speedster was powered by its sibling’s 3.2-litre, air-cooled, flat-six engine, rated at 231 horsepower and 195 foot-pounds of torque.

Power was transferred to the road via a five-sp...