In 1953, Porsche marketed a model solely dedicated to the North American market. It was the 356 America Roadster, an ultralight two-seater designed precisely for racing and stripped of superfluous accessories. Today, this very rare model, produced in only 16 examples (there would be 11 left today), has a value of more than US$4 million on the classic car market.
As it will celebrate its 70th birthday in 2023, Porsche thought fit to pay tribute to it with a very special edition of the 911. Say hello to the very exclusive convertible 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS America Edition.
During an online interview with the folks at Porsche, Germany, we were told that the automaker has gone out of its way to incorporate symbolic finishing details, which make the America stand out from the crowd. versions of the 911.
Tremendous attention to detail
For example, the windshield framing on this model is only offered in matte black, which no 911 currently offers. Porsche therefore had to set up a dedicated station on the assembly line which makes sure to integrate this detail during production.
Why a black frame? Because a chrome frame, like the original model, would have been far too apparent on a new generation car. Today’s cars, whose A-pillars and windshield frames are much thicker than in the past, have forced Porsche to go for another solution, that of making it “invisible” by the through a matte black paint.
In America’s case, the devil is in the details. Even if, at first glance, it seems to be only a vulgar convertible GTS With different color patterns, the finishing touches that Porsche has incorporated into this car are unique. Note also the fact that only 115 copies will be produced in total, and that, of this number, only 15 will be intended for the Canadian market.
All convertibles – to pay homage to their ancestry – these Carreras will be painted 356 Azure Blue, a unique color that harkens back to the 356 America of yesteryear. On its sides, a white band with a thin red guard line on which you can see the word America identifies it as a special model.
The theme of exclusivity continues with its rims RS Spyder Design spoked white on the outside, gray on the inside, with a guard red finish on the rim. Finally, at the rear, the 911 Carrera badge is white, while the GTS badge is red.
An equally meticulously detailed interior
Like its body, the America Edition incorporates interior details that are unique to it and not found anywhere else in the 911 catalogue. For example, all Americas have a black interior with red guard stitching, but an interior package (worth $8,560) adds even more red and pebble gray to the seats, shifter, seat belts, and even seat adjuster strips, among other things. A red positioning strip is also added to the top of the steering wheel.
Finally, the door sills have a unique reference. We note the dates 1952 – 1992 – 2022. In fact, the second date – 1992 – relates to another model which paid homage to the 356 America, marketed that year. This was the 911 Type-964 exclusive to the US market. This special model had widened bodywork and featured the brakes, suspension and 17-inch Porsche Cup rims of the 911 Turbo of the time.
Under the hood of the America 2023 edition hides the same mechanics as that of a 911 Carrera GTS convertible. It’s a 3.0-litre boxer-type flat-6, twin-turbocharged engine rated at 473 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. This model has rear-wheel drive and is only available with a 7-speed manual gearbox.
The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS America Edition convertible will hit dealerships nationwide towards the end of the year. Its starting price would be $206,190 before freight and PDI.
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