curve lover

Didn't see this as an existing thread topic here or on PelicanParts.com.

Maybe you've noticed that many '89 Speedsters have plastic emblems on their engine deck-lids that are not standardized in placement: some are higher or lower than others, & the badge is the same as the 964 Speedster's
...or that many are badge-less?
...or that a couple have a 'Carrera' badge?
...or a couple have the 356's Speedster badge?

If we were to go back to the year 1989 and look at brand new Speedsters as delivered from the factory, would ANY have a 911 "Speedster" logo badge as OEM on the engine deck-lid?

There are smart RLers who will know the answer, but here's the catch...
To corroborate your answer please respond with
- a reference hyperlink to an authoritative website, or
- a photograph of a well-respected book's answer page and its cover, or
- likewise for factory literature published in 1989.

Thanks in advance for facts & verifiable references!
A small but knowledgeable group of Speedster enthusiasts (including G-model Speedster owners) has already dug through ~6 reference books without a definitive answer.
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FYI: some websites list the 911 Speedster logo for sale for the '89 (G-model) through the '94 (type 964), which alone is not sufficient unless maybe a G-model specific part # exists in addition to the 964 emblem (part #964.559.221.00).
Related: this website advertises an '89 emblem, but it is the 964 part.
Many G-models have had the 964 Speedster logo installed, which muddies the issue.
Issue would be crystal clear if this question was posed in 1989.

Usually easy to prove something does exist.
IF the 911 Speedster logo commonly seen on G-model Speedsters did not exist in 1989, the challenge is to prove the absence of something.

CarType.com shows a 964 Speedster emblem with the caption "1989 Porsche Speedster emblem." This evidences errors on the web in the many years since 1989, & emphasizes the need for factory verification or a similar highly-respected reference.

Porsche Classic's online catalog lists the 964 part as fitting 1989 & 1994 models, but that isn't definitive unless there's a paper trail showing a G-model part number superseded by the 964's.
The fact their online G-model catalog does not currently list a Speedster logo on its Lettering and Protectors page might be a step in the right direction, but is not conclusive unless it can be established that the logo did not exist in 1989.

curve lover

Current-day, the number of these with (964?) badges are nearly as common as badge-less '89 Speedsters:









Notice how variable badge placement is (high, medium, very high, etc.).
As if there's no OEM factory standard, & perhaps badges were just applied by hand using personal preference as to where the logo should be.

curve lover

Currently about as common as the ones above with badges, but definitely period-correct:

the badge-less / badge-delete deck-lid
(the lightweight performance option )

curve lover

Uncommon, but likely period-correct -- the G-model 'Carrera' logo:

curve lover

Least-common, but technically period-correct ... in that the 356 'Speedster' emblem existed before 1989:

curve lover

Famous Porsche factory driver Walter Röhrl cruises in an '89 Speedster for these press photos of the 997 Speedster's release.
The G-model sports a 'Carrera' emblem. Porsche introduced a subtly different 'Speedster' logo just for their new 997.

Part #997.559.221.00.041 has a lower-case 's' in the style of the 's' of the Boxster logo; similar to the capital 'S' that starts "Speedster."
Part #964.559.221.00 has a lower-case 's' written in cursive, as seen in the above photographs on '89 Speedsters.

curve lover

Rare narrow-body G-model Speedster for sale,
'One of 161 Speedster 3.2s produced in narrow version!'

...with Speedster badge positioned high: OEM in 1989?


No affiliation.

curve lover

ZAMIRZ

Something about a narrowbody '89. Maybe because it's forbidden fruit in the U.S. It just makes me sigh in quiet admiration. Would love to have one to drive around Santa Monica on a beautiful summer day like today.

Jäger, I'm not on Rennlist as much as I used to be. Always happy to see your pic and info-filled posts when I log on

David A

I believe they came without a badge but you could also look for option code 498 "Without Designation" on the white sticker.

curve lover

David-- I like your train of thought!
Would that be conclusive proof that no factory 911 Speedster badges existed in 1989?
The challenge is to prove the absence of their existence; that the 911 emblems on this page were not period-correct
...if that's the case.

Seems best-case scenario would be to find a G-model documented with the 498 option, but wearing the 964 Speedster logo; would nearly prove they didn't exist in '89.


Anyone have factory literature published in 1989 for the Speedster's release?

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Comparison photo of three '89s: two with logos at varying heights, & one badge-less...

curve lover

Amir-- Always good to see a kindred enthusiast back on-line! I was thrilled when my 993, "Speedy," met you in 2009. I look forward to doing the same


Easy! Now that it's >25 years old, just import that one for sale in France

1 more photo of narrow-body motivation for you...

Here are related pics from 2 Porsche books, neither conclusive about 911 Speedster badge provenance:




This big-hipped pic doesn't prove anything since 356 'Speedster' badges were available in 1989, but sure is rare to see that logo on a G-model



© of their respective authors & publishers. Promptly removed upon request.

Sources:

David A

More proof of no badge for the G serie.

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...13k-miles.html

http://www.canepacollection.com/deta...-11246497.html

David A

And ask him, that one looks unmolested.

https://rennlist.com/forums/for-sale...-000042km.html

curve lover

Thanks, David ^^ I opened a dialogue with the RLer.

He posted this pic.
Would be useful if there's literature from the factory in 1989 that could be scanned / posted for confirmation: