1988 Spexter by Wingho Auto Classique Inc.
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1981
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 911SC Targa
- VIN: WP0EB0910BS160711
- Mileage: 2,325
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Silver Metallic
- Seller: Wingho Auto Classique Inc.
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Montreal, CN H3C 3R6
- Lot #: V-0009291
We are pleased to offer the original Porsche-powered Spexter by Wingho Auto. The brainchild of Clyde Kwok, a Montreal-based Porsche collector and enthusiast, the Spexter was originally proposed as a modern interpretation of the classic 356 Speedsters in Mr. Kwok’s personal collection. It was commissioned as a custom coach-built vehicle during the mid-1980s through the small Spex Design firm run by Paul Deutschman and Kell Warshaw. The project began months before Porsche’s debut of their own 911 Speedster at the 1987 Frankfurt Auto Show. Beginning with a sketched design, to a clay model, and eventually a full-scale foam representation, the Spexter was built over the course of nine months based on the platform of a U.S. 1981 911 Carrera Targa. The finished product took the automotive world by storm and was featured in countless publications including the cover of Motor Trend’s June 1988 issue where the Spexter was posed along with the question “Porsche’s New Speedster?”. When Porsche first unveiled their original Boxster concept in January of 1993, there was widespread speculation that its design was inspired by that of the Spexter. Designed as a Porsche Speedster for the next century, the original Spexter is now being offered for auction out of the personal Wingho collection in Montreal, Canada.
All of the original panels were removed in favor of custom sculpted Kevlar and fiber-glass composite bodywork that capture the essence of Porsche’s original Speedster design. This open-top roadster is devoid of A-pillars and features an ultra-low plastic windscreen. The front nose was extended to reinforce the bumper and the car measures approximately 8” longer than a 911 while maintaining the original chassis and wheelbase. The doors have inner and outer shells, between which lies the original doors of the 911. The front end of the car was constructed from a single piece of fiberglass along with the front and rear quarter panels. Combined with the factory-integrated chassis reinforcements of the 911 Targa, the Spexter offers impeccable structural rigidity. A roadster in its purest form, there was no type of roof, cover, nor side windows designed for the car. The Spexter was originally presented in Pearl White and has since been refinished in a traditional Porsche Silver Metallic color. Other details include dark-tinted Porsche-style headlights, a dark-tinted taillight panel, black bumperettes, and a single tailpipe in the rear. The Spexter rides on a set of custom BBS modular racing wheels which were sourced from Paul Newman’s racing team through Porsche four-cam expert Cole Scrogham. These wheels feature hand-made center caps and Bridgestone RE71 tires.
Continuing into the cockpit, the hood, front fenders, and dashboard wrap themselves around the occupants who are situated in custom black foam seats molded into the fiberglass structure. The seats have been cut to accommodate a driver measuring 5’, 10” tall. Harkening back to the Porsche 356 model, a triangular instrument cluster houses three analog Porsche dials including temperature gauges, a tachometer, and speedometer. The fourth gauge containing the fuel and oil level meter is located in the trunk.
A simplistic three-spoke steering wheels sits in front of the driver, and ahead of the shifter is a pushbutton ignition along with switches for the hazard lights and parking brake. There are no external handles for the doors, instead there are buttons that operate a solenoid-controlled opening latch.
The drivetrain of the original Porsche 911 Carrera Targa was utilized including its air-cooled 3.2L flat-six engine and 5-speed manual transaxle. The engine has been modified to produce a claimed output of up to 252 HP thanks to performance headers and a stainless-steel muffler by Monty of Australia. The Spexter has remained a part of Mr. Kwok’s personal Wingho collection and has reportedly been driven approximately 100km per year on average.
Since the time of the Spexter, Mr. Kwok has founded Wingho Auto Classique Inc., continuing the tradition of custom coach-built cars inspired by Porsche, while also specializing in vehicle service, restoration, modifications, and unique prototype designs.
This sale will include the original books and toolkit from the donor vehicle, an original hand-built scale model of the car, and a clean title for a North American 911 Carrera Targa. A possible source of influence for Porsche and a representation of painstaking work true to its inspiration, the Spexter remains a design far ahead of its time. This is a very special opportunity to own a remarkable piece of automotive engineering, do not miss out.
Auction Results
- Highest Bid: $145,000
- Auction End: May 27, 2021 08:13:59PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 15
Comments (37)
Bid in the amount of $145,000
Bid in the amount of $141,000
Bid in the amount of $140,000
Bid in the amount of $137,000
Bid in the amount of $135,000
Bid in the amount of $127,500
Bid in the amount of $125,000
VERY NICE CAR WITH LOTS OF EYE CANDY--ITS FOR THE NOT SO ---RUN OF THE MILL GUY--- NOTHING LIKE A FULL CUSTOM IN A COOKIE CUTTER WORLD
Bid in the amount of $77,000
At 5' 10" tape measure says I would fit perfectly... wallet says otherwise. Looks great for a one -off 'kit-car' rear tail lights have a Dodge -vibe? Maybe Dodge stole that and Porsche cribbed the rest for the Boxster >? A bit of rolling history here fro someone and it's probably super fun and light on its 'feet'..
Bid in the amount of $75,000
Bid in the amount of $72,000
@abacpm I have driven it, and found the "seats" to be oddly and surprisingly comfortable and connect you with the car quite well. I can see how you would think that from a photo tho!
Bid in the amount of $70,000
@abacpm The seat is an integral and structural part of the design. Without the roof, the molded seats act as a reinforcement to the rigidity of the chassis. Unlike most convertibles, there is no extra weight. Flexing of Speedsters is a drawback. The rigidity of the chassis is exceptional for an open cockpit car.
Bid in the amount of $61,000
It’s so beautiful I am going to bid on this car ..... even though the seats are Teutonic at its best
@zzwillin This is a timeless design that belongs in the Peterson Museum.
@Spokayman It’s so beautiful and unique that you don’t even have to drive it to enjoy it.
I can’t tell if this is a $75,000 car or a $5mm car that belongs in the Peterson museum. Either way... it’s oddly cool
Bummer that I could never fit in it, but then it’s not really meant to be driven much either.
I really appreciate automotive history such as this represents. It’ll be perfect for the Porsche collector who’s looking to spice up their collection.
Beautiful car ..the seats .......are the only thing that is keeping me from bidding
A new video has been added to the listing page.
Really amazing and quite beautiful..I hope whoever the lucky new owner is drives the heck out of it on sunny days. I have to ask..what are those other three "specia;s" in one pic parked behind the Spexter?
Bid in the amount of $60,000
@DORAEMON We built the car in 1988 and we changed the exhaust , to a free flow stainless steel (Monty) built I’m Australia. In Canada, the car can be registered and plated. I’m not familiar with the laws in California, but quite positive it can be put back to California original spec. (1981) 911 . Mechanically the drive train is exactly like a 1981, 911 SC.
Will this car be able to be imported to California and pass the SMOG?
Bid in the amount of $51,000
@Deutschman Thanks Paul. It is was a wonderful project we did together. You and my Dad ,Dr Kwok truly captured the Porsche DNA......Timeless design.
The Porsche Spexter was a breakthrough project that garnered international attention when it appeared on the covers of Motor Trend and Sports Car Illustrated magazines. It led directly to an encounter between myself and Reeves Callaway, with who I collaborate to this day. Looking at the Spexter now I feel it has passed the test of time and it still stirs emotions. The Hagerty article written by Jim Koscs tells the Spexter story far better than I: https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/reimagined-porsche-911-become-the-boxster/
I have seen the car in person and it is a real work of art and engineering feat. If you want a unique Porsche for cruising on sunny days tou can’t go wrong!
Bid in the amount of $2,000
Is Jerry Seinfeld watching?
Fantastic design that I have known for many years yet is still timeless. Hard to believe its actually going to be a part of someone's collection, the perfect addition for an "art deco" type collector.
@eddieames Thank you, and I appreciate your appreciation of our creation.
Wow, I haven't seen Habitat since I was a little boy back in '67.
It took my eyes from your car, which I have no words to describe.
Had to watch it a few times.
A very special Porsche to say the least.
I thought it would be difficult to let 'er go.
Good luck with your auction.
Hello everyone. After over 33 years of the creation of the Spexster by the famous designer Paul Deutschman, also creator of the Callaway Corvette C7 and sledgehammer, to name a few, we are happy to offer this beautiful and unique piece of Art on wheels.