Reviewing the Stärke Speedster: A Modern 718-Based Masterpiece
Blending vintage romance with contemporary everyday usability is a tricky balance, yet custom coachbuilders continually chase it. Enter the Stärke Speedster, a sophomore prototype crafted by Stärke Motor Company that reinterprets classic Porsche roadsters using modern engineering. Rather than hacking up a priceless vintage chassis, the team utilizes a 2017-and-onward 718 Boxster backbone. Following its public debut at Southern California’s Air|Water show, I spent a crisp spring day carving up the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu with Stärke CEO Seth Gortenburg to see how this retro-infused machine performs in the real world.
Design Heritage and Coachbuilding Craftsmanship
The visual identity of the Stärke Speedster draws direct inspiration from legendary motorsport icons like the mid-engined 550 Spyder, the 718 RSK, and the classic 356 Cabriolet. However, photos fail to capture its physical presence. The car is visibly wider, lower, and longer than those vintage predecessors, maintaining a modern stance. Custom “Wide Five” wheels nearly replicate original Porsche steelies, tying the aesthetic together.
Executing this design required meticulous digital planning:
3D Scanning & CAD Renderings: Precision engineering ensures that the new aesthetic overlays seamlessly onto modern mechanical components.
Hand-Laid Body Panels: Sourcing and crafting the panels takes extensive manual hours, evolving from Stärke’s earlier 981-based projects.
Intricate Body Surgery: Transforming a Boxster requires removing doors and rear quarters, mounting the front clip to factory locations, and integrating side strakes to feed the engine air intakes.
While Porsche purists may initially raise an eyebrow at coachbuilt conversions, the engineering execution silences early skepticism. Approaching the car, the metallic silver finish displays incredible depth, and panel gaps remain tight and uniform. Sinking into the cockpit reveals a rattle-free environment that easily meets Stuttgart’s stringent assembly standards.
Performance Dynamics and Powertrain Options
Because Stärke can apply this conversion to any 718 Boxster trim, buyers have an impressive palette of engine choices. You can opt for the 300-horsepower turbo-four base model, step up to the 350-hp Boxster S, or go all-in on the 394-hp GTS 4.0 with its sensational 7,800-rpm flat-six engine. Transmissions include either a traditional six-speed manual or a lightning-quick seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic.
Our test vehicle started life as a base turbo-four with a PDK transmission. While it lacks the raw acceleration of the GTS, it remains remarkably well-balanced. The low center of gravity, responsive steering, and compliant suspension turn coastal cruising into an effortless pleasure.
Gortenburg notes that starting with the entry-level platform allowed the team to iron out development glitches before tackling higher-output customer builds. My primary critique during the drive focused on the extended front overhang and low ground clearance. Without a front-axle lift system, navigating steep driveways or sharp speed bumps requires vigilance—a risk that increases if you select Stärke’s optional carbon fiber body panels instead of the standard fiberglass.
Modern Comfort Meets Classic Style
Opting for carbon fiber body panels shaves a couple of hundred pounds off the car’s roughly 3,000-pound curb weight, sharpening agility during aggressive driving. More importantly, the Stärke Speedster retains all the creature comforts of a daily driver. You get functional power windows, a reliable power-folding top, and ice-cold air conditioning—luxuries completely absent from vintage classics requiring constant carburetor tuning and valve adjustments.
Maintenance is equally straightforward. Any certified Porsche mechanic or dealership can service the underlying 718 mechanics without specialized vintage expertise. Inside, personalization options abound, from classic Boxster Red leather upholstery to iconic Pepita houndstooth fabric inserts that complement darker exterior paint choices like rich black or metallic silver.
Pricing, Availability, and Market Positioning
Pricing for the conversion starts at $135,000, or $189,000 if Stärke assists in sourcing a clean donor car, prior to custom tailoring. With 718 production officially concluding, used market values for clean donor platforms are climbing steadily. Each completed build requires roughly six months of labor, with about 12 weeks dedicated strictly to panel fabrication, resulting in an approximate one-year waiting list for new orders.
Ultimately, the Stärke Speedster avoids the controversy of altering irreplaceable air-cooled classics, offering a sensible alternative to radical restomods. It captures the emotional styling of Porsche’s golden era while delivering modern reliability and high-performance safety.
Ready to design your own bespoke Porsche-based roadster and experience the ultimate blend of classic style and modern engineering? Contact Stärke Motor Company today to secure your allocation and start building your dream car.
