Porsche 964 Speedster Buyer's Guide

The body of the 964 Speedster is its most distinctive feature, but it also carries specific points that have to be checked carefully when viewing. Although Porsche had already made good progress on corrosion protection in the 1990s, corrosion is an issue on the 964 too. The areas most at risk are:

• The windscreen frame: the specific, shallow screen makes this area vulnerable. Replacement is extremely expensive and difficult, because the screens are now barely obtainable
• The battery box in the luggage compartment
• The jacking points and sills
• The areas around the headlights and rear lights
• The underbody and suspension mounting points: particularly on cars used in winter or in damp regions
• The hood well and its drains: with the emergency hood, water can get in through improper handling or worn seals. Check the area under the humps for damp and corrosion

Speedster-specific parts:

• Windscreen: check for stone chips, scratches and correct fit. Originality is decisive here
• Emergency hood: check the condition of the fabric, the tensioning mechanism and the seals. The hood really is intended only for occasional shelter and is not designed for sustained rain. It should operate easily
• The fibreglass humps: condition, cracks, fit and paint
• Side windows: specific, frameless glass. Check that the electric windows work
• Paint and trim: original paint is desirable, but after more than 30 years it is rarely perfect. Watch for refinished paintwork, differences in colour and the condition of the trim and seals
• Wheels: 17-inch Cup I wheels were usually fitted from new. Check their condition and originality

The 3.6-litre flat six (M64/01) from the Carrera 2, with 250 PS, is the heart of the Speedster too. It is regarded as robust, but like every engine it has its quirks.

• Oil leaks: a frequent topic on air-cooled flat sixes. The typical places are the cam cover gaskets, the timing case seals (between the case halves), the crankshaft seals (front and rear), the oil lines and their connections, and the cylinder base seals. The last of these were a bigger problem on early 964s; on the Speedster years it should be rarer thanks to factory improvements, but check anyway. A complete engine reseal can become very expensive (often in the region of €5,000 - €10,000). A light film of oil is often tolerable, but drips should be investigated more closely
• Ignition: the 964 has twin-plug ignition. Problems can arise from the small belt for the second distributor or from worn distributor caps and rotors. A rough-running engine can point to this. If the belt breaks, engine damage looms
• Dual-mass flywheel: it can wear and cause noise. Replacing it at the same time as the clutch often makes sense
• Clutch: wear depends on how the car is driven and on the mileage. Watch for judder or slipping
• Exhaust system: the original systems are often affected by corrosion. Manifolds can crack. Replacing them with stainless steel components is a common solution, but not always a faithful one
• Idle: it should be stable. Problems can arise from the idle control valve or from an air leak
• Gearbox: the 5-speed manual (G50) is regarded as very robust. Watch for an easy shift and for the absence of any unusual noise. Check the gearbox for oil leaks too. Tiptronic versions are extremely rare on the Speedster

The Speedster interior is often more spartan than on other 964 models, which underlines the lightweight idea.

• Seats: the specific bucket seats are a highlight. Check the condition of the coverings (often leather or part leather) and of the painted seat backs. The adjustment mechanisms must work perfectly
• Door trims: often simplified, with pull straps instead of handles
• Dashboard and instruments: typical 964, but watch for cracks in the dashboard caused by sunlight. All the instruments and displays should work
• Hood operation: the manual hood must open and close easily
• Windows: electric from the factory. Check that they work
• Central locking and alarm: these can cause problems with age
• Lighting: check every light inside and out
• Heating and ventilation: check that they work. Air conditioning was rare. Where fitted, check that it works and does not leak (often R12 refrigerant; conversion to R134a can be expensive)
• Radio/sound system: often not original, or missing altogether
• Damp and smells: watch for a musty smell or traces of moisture that could point to leaks

The Speedster suspension is often set up a little more firmly than on the standard Carrera, sometimes with components similar to the RS.

• Dampers and springs: check for leaks and correct operation. Replacement can be expensive, particularly where original parts are to be used
• Suspension bushes and rubber mounts: these age and can develop play, which leads to imprecise handling. Replacing them all is involved
• Steering: it should be direct and free of play. Noise or heaviness can point to problems with the power assistance (where fitted, depending on model year and specification) or with the steering box
• Brakes: the 964 brakes are fade-resistant. Check the condition of the discs and pads. The brake fluid should have been changed regularly. Seized callipers can occur

On the Porsche 964 Speedster, originality is of overriding importance. Modifications or parts that are not original can reduce the value considerably. Beware of conversions: There are Speedster conversions built on standard C2 cabriolets.

• Chassis number (VIN), engine number, gearbox number: always check these and compare them with the paperwork. A Porsche certificate of authenticity (CoA) can be very helpful here in confirming the original configuration
• Option codes: check whether the codes on the sticker in the service book or in the luggage compartment agree with the actual specification
• Specific Speedster features: make sure that every part typical of the Speedster (windscreen, hood, humps, seats, and the comfort equipment deliberately left out) is present and original
• History and documentation: a complete history with the service book, invoices and, ideally, the original purchase contract is extremely valuable