Review: Porsche 718-Based Stärke Speedster – A Modern Icon Reborn
When the custom coachbuilder Stärke Motor Company pulled the covers off its second-generation Speedster prototype at the Southern California Air|Water event, it immediately sparked intense conversations across the automotive community. Rather than cutting up a fragile, numbers-matching vintage classic or building a rudimentary restomod, this machine reimagines the romantic spirit of Porsche’s early motorsport legends by utilizing the robust modern foundation of the 2017-and-onward 718 Boxster. For driving enthusiasts looking for custom sports cars that merge retro aesthetics with modern reliability, the Stärke Speedster represents a fascinating new frontier.
Following the debut in Southern California, Stärke CEO Seth Gortenburg stayed behind to host exclusive media drives. I spent a crisp spring afternoon carving through the coastal bends along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. It was the ultimate backdrop to evaluate whether this unique blend of classic styling and contemporary engineering truly delivers on the road.
Design Philosophy: Merging Heritage with Modern Scale
The visual cues of the Stärke Speedster draw heavily from legendary mid-engined milestones like the 550 Spyder and 718 RSK, alongside the rear-engined 356 Cabriolet. However, seeing it in person reveals a much larger physical presence than those vintage racers. It is lower, wider, and visually commanding, complete with retro-styled headlights, auxiliary lamps, and custom “Wide Five” wheels that lovingly replicate vintage Porsche steelies.
Engineering a body of this caliber is a massive undertaking. It starts with precise 3D scanning and advanced CAD rendering, followed by a two-year development cycle to craft hand-laid fiberglass or optional carbon fiber panels. The transformation process is extensive:
The factory body is stripped down, requiring the removal and cutting of doors and rear quarter panels.
The front clip utilizes factory mounting locations to maintain structural integrity.
Inner fenders are bonded directly to the rear quarters for enhanced stability, while integrated side strakes feed air directly into the Boxster’s original engine intakes.
Purists may initially scoff at the concept of wrapping a modern chassis in vintage-inspired bodywork. Yet, once you get behind the wheel, it becomes clear that engineering rigor took absolute priority over mere aesthetic nostalgia.
Behind the Wheel: Malibu Driving Dynamics
Climbing into the cabin yields an immediate sense of quality. The metallic silver finish on the test car shimmered with incredible depth, panel gaps were uniformly precise, and the cabin was remarkably free of rattles or squeaks. Because the mechanical core remains untouched, every stellar trait of the 718 Boxster carries right over.
Stärke can transform any 718 Boxster variant, ranging from the standard 300-horsepower turbo-four base model to the 350-hp Boxster S, or the magnificent 394-hp GTS 4.0 with its howling 7,800-rpm flat-six engine. Buyers can choose between a crisp six-speed manual gearbox or a lightning-fast seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.
Our test mule started life as a base turbo-four with the PDK transmission. While not the most aggressive engine in the lineup, it allowed the well-balanced chassis to shine. The steering is direct and communicative, while the suspension strikes an ideal balance between compliance and sporty handling, keeping the car glued to the tarmac through every twist of the Malibu coastline.
Gortenburg noted during our drive that while vintage cars are breathtaking, they often lack power and braking performance. By contrast, a Stärke Speedster build lets drivers push hard without sacrificing daily usability.
“The styling of the old Porsche was iconic; it’s one of the most amazing designs ever, in my opinion,” Gortenburg explained. “But you know, I’m at a point where I sure want those side windows, and I want that power top and that air conditioner, so this is kind of the best of both worlds.”
Daily Usability and Customization Options
One of the greatest advantages of using a modern donor vehicle is the elimination of classic car headaches. Gone are the days of constant oil leaks, finicky carburetor tuning, or dealing with unreliable electrical systems. Modern climate control, a power-folding soft top, and reliable electronics mean you can use this vehicle as an effortless daily driver.
Furthermore, any certified Porsche technician can service the mechanical components without issue. Stärke handles the donor car sourcing process for clients, recommending that buyers lock in their interior specifications early. Choices range from classic metallic silver paint paired with Boxster Red leather to sophisticated black finishes and timeless Pepita houndstooth interior inserts.
For buyers looking to optimize weight and performance, upgrading to the optional carbon fiber body panels sheds a couple of hundred pounds from the standard 3,000-pound curb weight, sharpening acceleration and cornering reflexes even further.
Pricing and Market Positioning
Pricing for the conversion starts at $135,000, or $189,000 if Stärke assists in sourcing a clean donor vehicle, prior to personal custom touches. With the 718 production cycle concluding, secondary market values for donor models—particularly the high-spec GTS variants—continue to climb. Each completed build requires roughly six months of labor, including about 12 weeks dedicated entirely to hand-crafting the body panels, translating to a current wait time of approximately one year.
Rather than altering increasingly rare, air-cooled classics, Stärke has chosen a path that respects automotive history while celebrating modern engineering. Whether you prefer the easy cruising nature of a PDK-equipped base model or the intoxicating acoustic track of a manual flat-six, this coachbuilt creation offers a compelling alternative to traditional restomods.
Are you ready to elevate your garage with a bespoke custom sports car that bridges automotive heritage with modern engineering? Contact Stärke Motor Company today to begin designing your personalized Speedster build.
