Michael SatterfieldThere is something deeply satisfying about a car that knows exactly what it wants to be. The new Stärke Gen 2 Speedster is not a compromise. Not a focus-grouped appliance. It is something built because someone looked at the modern automotive landscape and asked, “What if it had a little more soul?”
The Answer? The Stärke Gen 2 Speedster
If the name sounds new, the idea is timeless. Stärke Motor Company has been quietly building a reputation in the world of coachbuilt sports cars, where modern engineering meets classic design without the mechanical drama that usually follows vintage ownership. Their latest creation, the Gen 2 Speedster, sharpens that vision with more refinement, more performance, and more attention to the details that separate a curiosity from a future collectible.
At first glance, the Speedster looks like it just rolled out of a European coachbuilder’s workshop in the late 1950s. Low windscreen. Clean surfacing. Rear haunches that look ready to pounce. It triggers the same part of your brain that loves silver nitrate photographs, mechanical watches, and leather gloves that smell faintly of petrol. But beneath that hand-sculpted 356-inspired body sits something very modern.
Is the Stärke a Kit Car?
Yes and no, while the concept is the same, the company isn’t shipping you a kit to DIY it in your garage. The company is really a coachbuilder, not a kit car manufacturer. The foundation is the 2017-onward Porsche 718 platform. Stärke uses 3D scanning and CAD engineering to create a body that fits with factory precision over contemporary underpinnings. The result is a car that delivers the classic Speedster experience without the classic Speedster maintenance schedule that usually includes roadside prayer.
Power comes in three flavors. A 2.0-liter turbo flat-four with 300 horsepower. A 2.5-liter turbo flat-four with 350 horsepower. Or the crown jewel, a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six making 394 horsepower. Transmission options include a six-speed manual or a paddle-shift unit for those who prefer fast fingers over left-leg workouts. The suspension, crash structure, and modern safety systems remain intact, right down to advanced driver assistance features when configured with the appropriate mirrors. This is not a retro fantasy that forgets modern realities. It is a sports car you can drive daily without wondering which warning light will greet you next.
Inside, the same philosophy applies. Heated seats. Heated steering wheel. Power accessories. A proper soft top. Climate control that works. No sacrificial rituals required. It is the sort of interior that lets you enjoy a cold morning drive without regretting your life choices.
Customization is where Stärke leans fully into the coachbuilder ethos. Exterior paint schemes limited only by imagination. Interior materials and colors chosen to match your personal taste. Wheel designs. Drivetrain selection. Individual detailing. No two Speedsters leave the workshop alike. This is automotive tailoring, not off-the-rack shopping.
Company CEO Seth Gortenburg describes the Gen 2 Speedster as the ultimate expression of their design philosophy. A classic driving experience without the downsides that usually accompany classics. It is aimed squarely at enthusiasts who want something different from the usual resto-mod formula. Less Frankenstein. More purpose-built.
How Much Does the Stärke Gen 2 Speedster Cost?
Pricing starts at $135,000 if you provide a donor car. For those who prefer a turnkey experience, Stärke will source the donor starting at $189,000. Delivery timelines typically run around six months, depending on the specification. In an era where some supercar waiting lists outlast presidential terms, that feels refreshingly reasonable.
What makes the Gen 2 Speedster interesting is not just its performance or its craftsmanship. It is the cultural lane it occupies. Enthusiasts today are split between those chasing the newest technology and those preserving old machines with stubborn devotion. Stärke quietly builds a bridge between the two. A car that looks backward with affection and forward with confidence.
There is also something undeniably charming about a boutique American coachbuilder producing a European-style Speedster with modern German bones while openly stating it is not affiliated with the original manufacturer. It feels like hot-rodding with a passport.
For the car enthusiast, the appeal is obvious. It is not simply about speed or horsepower numbers. It is about presence. The way a car makes a parking lot pause. The way it turns a coffee run into an event. The way it reminds you that driving can still feel special.
The Gen 2 Speedster is not for everyone. That is precisely the point.
More information is available directly from Stärke Motor Company at their official site and social channels. For those with a soft spot for classic silhouettes and modern reliability, the future just arrived wearing vintage sunglasses.
Quick Facts
- Vehicle: Stärke Gen 2 Speedster
- Company: Stärke Motor Company (boutique automotive coachbuilder)
- Platform: 2017 and newer 718 platform (donor car)
- Concept: Vintage-inspired coachbuilt body over modern chassis
- Engine options:
- 2.0L turbo flat-four, 300 hp
- 2.5L turbo flat-four, 350 hp
- 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six, 394 hp
- Transmission options: 6-speed manual or 7-speed paddle-shift
- Features retained: modern drivetrain, suspension, crash structure, and interior amenities
- ADAS: retained when equipped with original exterior mirrors (per release)
- Customization: paint, interior materials/colors, wheels, drivetrain, details
- Pricing: $135,000 (customer-supplied donor) or $189,000 (Stärke sources donor)
- Estimated delivery: about 6 months, depending on specs
- Official site: starkespeedster.com
- Disclosure: Stärke Motor Company is not affiliated with Porsche Cars North America (per release)
FAQ
What is the Stärke Gen 2 Speedster?
A vintage-inspired, coachbuilt Speedster that uses a modern 2017 and newer 718 platform underneath for contemporary performance, comfort, and safety.
What donor cars does it use?
Stärke builds the Gen 2 Speedster on a 2017 and newer 718 platform donor vehicle.
What engines are available?
Three choices: a 2.0L turbo flat-four (300 hp), a 2.5L turbo flat-four (350 hp), or a 4.0L naturally aspirated flat-six (394 hp).
Is a manual transmission available?
Yes. Buyers can choose a six-speed manual or a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission.
Does it keep modern comfort features?
Yes. The release notes modern interior features remain, including heated seats, heated steering wheel, full power accessories, and a power soft top.
Does it include modern safety and driver assistance features?
Per the release, the 718 crash structure and ADAS features are retained when configured with the original exterior mirrors.
How customizable is the car?
Highly. Customers can choose nearly any exterior paint scheme, interior colors and materials, wheel designs, drivetrain options, and personalized details.
How much does it cost?
Pricing starts at $135,000 if the customer supplies a donor car. A hands-free option starts at $189,000 with Stärke sourcing the donor.
How long does delivery take?
Stärke says most builds can be delivered in about six months, depending on specifications.
Where can I learn more or place an order?
Orders are open now via Stärke’s site and social channels: starkespeedster.com and @starkespeedster.
For some reason that the admin of this site is working on finding the ugliest cars to share. Just buy a 356 kit car.
Not everyone is going to like every car, but this is a really unique way to get classic Porsche style and modern Porsche performance. The VW based Kit Cars might be more like the original 356, but lets not pretend anyone wants to drive cross country in a classic 356.
I haven’t seen anyone else share this car, great concept and they really made it work considering the limitations of the making it fit the donor car.