ATLANTA – Porsche Cars North America Inc. and RM Sotheby’s are hosting a unique charitable auction for sports car enthusiasts. With proceeds, excluding taxes and fees, being donated to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Community Response and Recovery Fund, the auction’s sole lot will be the last-ever 991 generation 911 to enter and pass down the serial production line within serial production at the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen factory. The one-week auction, which will close April 22, is being conducted via RM Sotheby’s online auction platform.
“We are all profoundly affected by the current situation and the immediate impact it’s having on those most at risk in our communities,” said Klaus Zellmer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America Inc. “United Way continues to step up to the plate and their response to this crisis has been quite impressive. So we are proud to do our part. I also appreciate the swift support of RM Sotheby’s to make this possible and I am hopeful that the sale of a very special Porsche will help in a small way.”
Fittingly, the auction vehicle is a unique 911 Speedster, one of 1,948 examples, created to mark 70 years of Porsche sports cars.
Porsche Design is supporting the auction with the creation of a bespoke addition to the package: a 911 Speedster Heritage Design Chronograph. The watch incorporates the vehicle’s historic design features, including a strap made in the exact same cognac leather as that applied to the interior of the sports car and a silver winding rotor that mirrors the car’s unique wheels. Created exclusively for 911 Speedster customers and made in Switzerland, the limited-edition and COSC-certified timepiece with flyback function will feature the chassis number of the final 991 generation 911, making it unique.
The winning bidder and a guest will be invited to take a personal, behind-the-scenes tour of the Porsche AG Weissach development headquarters – including experiencing the test track – on a 1:1 basis with Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser and Andreas Preuninger, heads of the 911 and GT model lines respectively. The car will also be accompanied by a one-of-a-kind book illustrating the assembly and completion of the last 991, including photographs and an original sketch by the Speedster design team. Finally, the handover of the vehicle will be hosted by Klaus Zellmer, President and CEO of PCNA, which will take place at a dedicated event in the U.S.
Finished in GT Silver metallic paint, the 911 Speedster remains unregistered, having covered just 20 delivery miles. It is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat six engine developing 502 hp, connected to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The 911 Speedster being auctioned features the Heritage Design package – one of several personalization options available on the 911 Speedster that included the ability for customers to choose their preferred plaque numbers (of the 1,948 available) to be mounted between the seats and from an array of paint, leather and trim finishes. This specific car was created on the production line in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen in December. The last remaining 911 Speedsters are now in transit to owners around the world, while others are still receiving special finishing touches at Porsche Exclusive in Zuffenhausen – yet there can be only one “final car” and this specific Speedster is the last of the seventh generation of the 911. Accompanying the car is a letter of authenticity from Porsche confirming the chassis number applied to this car is indeed the last of the 991 generation to enter and pass down the serial production line.
United Way Worldwide will be the beneficiary of the auction, with funds being donated to its COVID-19 Fund in the U.S.
The auction opened for bidding on April 15 and will close at 1 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, April 22. The 911 Speedster is offered without reserve, selling to the highest bidder. Potential bidders can find more information on the unique package being offered and the registration process at https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/0020.
