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Coming soon! 2011 Porsche 911 Speedster! With video.

Recalling one of the most famous road Porsche's in history, Porsche is launching the 4th generation Speedster. Based on the 911, the Speedster recalls Porsche's heritage of the original 356. The new Speedster is set to debut in Paris next month and will officially go on sale in December. Porsche is only going to produce 356 copies of the new classic. So act fast. Instantly noticeable is the lower ride height, wider rear track and raked windshield. All paired with the hard cover that goes over the 911s rear seat area. There are a few other body changes, like the rear bumper and side skirts. And who can deny those awesome modern Fuchs alloys taken from the 911 Sport Classic? The new Speedster packs a healthy 408 horsepower. The new 7 speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe transmission is the only choice and also Richard Hammond's favorite to pronounce. The Speedster will only be available in the exclusive Pure Blue paint or optional Carrara White. However, I'd imagine that further color choice are available to make your new Speedster a truly one of a kind car. The interior again is unique to the Speedster, but color options are not available. Check out the full press release after the video.




Read the press release below:

Exclusive Small Series Limited to 356 Cars

Fourth Edition of a Sports Car Legend: The New Porsche 911 Speedster
Stuttgart. Very low-slung, very sporty, and very rare: The Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche
AG, Stuttgart, launches a small edition of a new 911 Speedster. Paying homage to
the first Porsche model that bore the name Speedster – the 356 Speedster –, the
production run for the new model is limited to 356 cars. The two-seater is significantly
different from the other members of the 911 family. In the best tradition, the 60 millimetre
lower, more raked windscreen, the flat contour of the sporty-look manual hood,
and the characteristic double-bubble hardcover for the soft top define the striking profile
of the new 911 Speedster. This makes the body of this rear-wheel drive with its
44 millimetre wider rear stand out even more. The new Porsche 911 Speedster will
celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in early October.

The new 911 Speedster combines the classic features of this type of Porsche sports
car with further improved performance of the current 911 generation: The 3.8-litre flat
six delivers 408 hp (300 kW), 23 hp more in comparison with the 911 Carrera S. With
its average consumption of 10.3 litres/100 km (27.43 mpg imp) (NEDC), the new
Speedster is no less efficient than the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet without Powerkit – an
effect of Porsche Intelligent Performance. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe
(PDK) is in charge of transmitting power to the rear axle fitted with a
standard differential lock. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche
Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) are standard, too. Add to that exemplary
protection for driver and passengers in the new 911 Speedster. Especially for this model, the Porsche engineers further improved the rollover protection system which
is standard in all open-top Porsche cars.

The conception of the current Speedster comes from Porsche Exclusive – the company-
owned "enhancer" specialising in individualisation of Porsche cars and small
series. The 911 Speedster heralds the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive which
will be celebrated in 2011, and once again, demonstrates the small-series competence
of Porsche Exclusive after the big success of the 911 Sport Classic.

Living up to the Porsche Exclusive standard, the 911 Speedster features almost all
optional equipment of the 911 series and its appeal also comes from its meticulously
hand-finished interior in black smooth-finish leather with numerous exterior colour
painted details exclusive to the Speedster. These include decorative designs with
checkerboard patterns in the seat centre section of the adaptive sports seats reminiscent
of a chequered flag, and the leather side bolsters in the exterior colour.

The sporty flavour is further enhanced by the exterior colour “Pure Blue” that has
been developed exclusively for the Speedster, providing an intriguing contrast with
the tinted front lights, black headlight rings, black windscreen surround and other
black decorative designs. Upon request, the Speedster is available in Carrara White,
at no extra cost. It also features a special front apron, specific sideskirts and a distinct
rear apron.

In 1953, the Speedster series was launched with a puristic sports car based on the
Porsche 356, which had two sports bucket seats, doors with slide-in plastic side windows,
and a shortened, elegantly curved windscreen. In 1988, the Speedster based
on the 911 Carrera celebrated its revival with an added feature. For the first time, the
hood compartment lid had the characteristic double bubbles. In 1993/1994, the next
evolutionary stage of the 911 Carrera was ushered in with yet another Speedster.

In Germany, the 911 Speedster including country-specific equipment and 19 % VAT
is priced at Euro 201,682 and will be launched in December 2010.
Update on Barry Meguiar

Update on Barry Meguiar

More details have finally emerged on Car Crazy host, gar nut and wax guru Barry Meguiar. We have learned that Meguiar was admitted to the hospital just before Monterey weekend. Doctors determined that Meguiar had developed a rare and deadly form of viral pneumonia.

He was immediately admitted to the ICU and was placed in a drug induced coma for eight days. Meguiar was released from the hospital this week and will be fine and is expected to return to hosting Car Crazy in October according to Speed.

Meguiar (67) credits God with saving his life along with the talented and car crazy staff at Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula. 
"Car guys are literally working in every department, and all the things that make car guys special permeate this place, from the high performance of their equipment to the determination to go the extra mile," he said. 

Here's to a speedy recovery Barry!

Stolen Mustang found!

Good news from our friends over at Motown Muscle. The stolen 91 Mustang we put the APB on Sunday has been found. Police in Brighton, Michigan located the mustang and alerted the owner yesterday morning that his Mustang was found, and completely whole. Here's the rundown of what happened from the owner Matt a.k.a 91trunk.


"The car was taken Saturday night (looking at the video to see what time). The chain to the gate was cut. The guard that came on duty that morning was doing his rounds and notice the gate open more than normal. As he walked up, there was link cut in half laying on the ground. He re-chained the gate, made the phone call to who he was suppose. (I'm going to leave the rest out due to things happening at the dealership).

Fast forward to Sunday morning, I came to the dealership to pick the car up for Blackstang's Daughters car show. I ask the guard to unlock the gate so I could grab my car. I was gonna pull the trailer inside wash the car and meet up with my buddies. I pulled in back where the trailer was sitting and it was gone. At first I thought maybe a co-worker had played a trick and pulled it in the building because both gates were chained. When I was told the story about why the gates were still locked (can't say why yet, it's involves someones job) I called the police. A2 PD came out took the report and put the car in the system as stolen.

This morning at 3 am A2 PD left me a message saying they found my car. I figured it was a shell in Detroit, but to my surprise it was in Brighton. Turns out my car is still a street car ( ), since the guy took his GF to dinner and was at the car wash cleaning it. Brighton PD rolled through the car wash and ran the plate. The plate came back as a Jeep, so the officer started talking to the guy. The guy lied and said it was his fathers car and things weren't adding up, so he ran the VIN. After it came back stolen he arrested the guy and he confessed to stealing the car. He told them the trailer was at his house still hooked up to the truck and my helmet and fire jacket were in his house.

I just got back from Brighton where the car was in impound. The car was kept inside and was in perfect condition (Thanks Corrigan Towing). I don't know if the car was hurt (engine or trans) yet, but everything was there. The only two things missing were the straps and set of old slicks that were sitting on the front of the trailer (the ramps were even there ) She is now back safe and sound here at the dealership. I'll be loading her up tonight and taking her to a new secure storage place.

I want to thanks everyone here for keeping an eye out, spreading the word it was stolen and well wishes. I don't know where my luck came from, but I sure did have it this time. I also want to thank the Brighton PD for being in the right place and the perfect time. Without them, I don't think she would have been found."

You have to admit that it's comical when someone is so stupid to steal a unique car like this mustang and just throw different plates on it and then take your best girl out to dinner to celebrate your stupidity.  Here's to Matt getting his pride and joy back!

A photo of the homecoming.

Calling all cars! Be on the lookout for a stolen 1991 Ford Mustang

This one goes out to our readers in Michigan. Be on the lookout for a 1991 Ford Mustang notchback drag car stolen from Varsity Ford lot near Ann Arbor, Michgan. Dark red race car, on a black open trailer (see pic). Custom MI plate Says 91TRUNK. Please call Matt @ 734-660-4013 with ANY information. There is a reward offered for the return. Attached is a photo of the car.



And you thought American La France only made fire trucks

Here's an interesting story from our friends over at Hemmings Motor News. So you thought that American La France only built fire trucks? Think again. Between the years of 1907 and 1914 ALF actually did build speedsters for consumers to buy. These of course being speedsters on a grand scale, as they used the traditional frames and engines from their fire truck counter parts which were heavy duty to say the least. It's not clear how many were built, but they are definitely few and far between. We recently came across a 1914 model at a recent car show for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix this past July. As you can see from the Porsche 356 parked next to it, there's nothing small about this speedster.



(link via Hemmings)

Barry Meguiar in serious condition.

There's hardly a car guy around who doesn't know who Barry Meguiar is. As CEO of Meguiars Car Care and host of the Car Crazy television program, Barry's energetic smile and passion for cars has beamed him into the minds of many. We are not exactly sure why, but Barry is currently in the intensive care unit of the Monterey Community Hospital in California in serious condition. We will post further details as they become available. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Meguiar family.

(via AutoWeek)

A limousine fit for Abe Lincoln at Hemmings Blog – Classic and collectible cars and parts



Talk about a rarity. Check out this 1966 Oldsmobile 98 limo at a recent show held by the folks at Hemmings Motor News. The red paint and UPS truck mirrors on the door are strange to say the least. But all that aside, it's still one really cool classic car that's going to stand out at the shows and cruises from the typical Cadillacs.

A limousine fit for Abe Lincoln at Hemmings Blog

(via Hemmings)