JPP

As I suspected, but it wasn't entirely clear when reading the supplement, however with these pictures showing the arrangement, it makes perfect sense now, thanks, and also clears up much of the mystery of the differences and engineering upgrades and improvements Porsche did to the '89 Speedster top/Clamshell design when doing the '94 Speedster. They did the same thing between the T1 and T2 Speedsters back in 1956/1957 as well. Chances are, if you haven't owned both or studied both up close, you would never know they are vastly different designs with several improvements incorporated into the latter.

So, do you know if there's any difference between the '89 top frame assembly and the '94? The part numbers are different, but that could just be the changes they did to the cover and the way it attaches at the rear. If the windshields are the same, then the front latch must be close. I think there is a TSB for an improved latch for the '94's, any info on that? Always questions, with this one, questions, questions .....

curve lover

Jon Paul-- ^^ Please see last night's PM, addressing '89 part differences & more.
______________________________________________

Wrapping up the '90 conversion on previous pages:

Currently offered for sale by Belgium's Dekens Porsche. Since last seen for sale here, the seats have been swapped out, & the cabrio doors are now RS panels.

JPP

You have a p.m.

JPP

Hm. Is that a Rear Seat Delete box I see back there ..?? ....

curve lover

Got it! ...asking for pix of Speedster rear 'seats'Good question. I'll post under-clamshell Speedster shots when (if? ) homework's done
In the meantime: the remainder of Deken Porsche's current 'for sale' photos...






No affiliation.

JPP

Clamshell is from an '89 and probably the top since car's top construction is much cleaner and tighter looking than the 3 piece 964 design. This top has 4 panels with no side seam. The fourth being the rear window area that is sewn in at an angle towards the lower rear edge of the side window, like a beautifully tailored suit.
As opposed to this:

Group911@aol.com

Probably more like the difference between the factory style -the yellow car- stitching and a top somebody sewed up to fit- the blue car.

JPP

Perhaps, but here's a couple of '89's that look like the same 4 piece design as above:




I believe this design was abandoned because there were too many customer complaints about air and water leakage around the side windows, according to review magazines of the time. Also, the clamshell hinging mechanism was redesigned for the 964 as well because of customer complaints of difficulty of operation on the '89's. The center pivot point at the forward attach point was split into two side attachments for stability and easier operation.
As a side note, the original 356 Speedster top was much like this, unlined, unmotorized and simple. With the top up and side curtains in, they were quite comfortable to drive in wet weather and they were so loud, you couldn't hear wind noise anyway ..

Group911@aol.com

Look closely at the extra seam on the blue one that comes down from the back window at a 45 degree angle.
That and too many snaps appears wrong.

JPP

Like I said, could be. None of them have side stitching like the '94 though which is obviously a completely different cover.

curve lover

Following pix posted last night on JP's 964 Forum thread, cross-posted here in case they help anyone else looking for Speedster details. These are surprisingly difficult photos to find on the web...

curve lover

..

curve lover

In case it helps anyone

curve lover

..

curve lover

..