A Collector’s Dream: 10 of the Best Porsche Special Edition Models

With a legacy spanning decades, Porsche has grown to become a brand synonymous with performance, luxury and overall automotive brilliance. The German carmaker’s history is a storied journey marked by groundbreaking engineering, iconic designs and the relentless pursuit of performance. For collectors and enthusiasts, owning a Porsche is often more than car ownership; it’s a passion.

In some cases, the art of owning Porsche vehicles has been dialled up by several notches, with collectors focusing on limited-series models. There’s no denying the unique allure of a special edition Porsche. These limited-production masterpieces often boast exclusive features, enhanced performance and collectible value.

Porsche’s model range is extensive, ranging from sports cars to sedans and SUVs. However, when it comes to collector value, high-performance sports cars and classic Porsches often take center stage, a fact reflected in our curated list of some of the standout Porsche special edition models.

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition

A limited-edition masterpiece, the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition is a homage to the Porsche 919 Hybrid and Porsche’s triumphs at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2015 to 2017. Only 235 units were manufactured worldwide, making it a true collector’s item.

The paintwork is a nod to Porsche’s racing heritage. Offered in three distinct colours (Red, White, or Black), the car is accentuated by subtle yet striking graphics that echo the “Porsche Intelligent Performance” message displayed on the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid race car.

Details on the interior include carbon-fibre inlay illuminated “Endurance Sport Racing” doorsill plates, a center armrest with an exclusive Porsche-Intelligent Drive embossed logo, and a racing-inspired red twelve-o’clock stripe on the steering wheel. Like the base Carrera S, the Endurance Racing Edition is driven by a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine that produces 420 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque.

2019 Porsche 935

Porsche rarely ventures into the realm of track-only supercars, but when they do, the results are nothing short of spectacular. Take the 2019 Porsche 935, for example. The special edition car reimagined as a modern interpretation of the iconic Porsche 935/78, was launched as part of Porsche’s 70th-anniversary celebrations.

Built on the bones of the formidable 911 GT2 RS, it packs a 690 hp twin-turbo flat-six and a lightning-fast PDK gearbox. However, its most striking feature is its bodywork, a lightweight carbon-fibre design that takes cues from the original 1978 935, especially the longtail rear section and classic Martini livery.

A proper race car, the interior layout includes a full-on safety roll cage and a single racing bucket seat with a six-point harness. 77 units of the 2019 Porsche 935 were made, each priced north of $800,000.

1994 Porsche 911 Turbo S X85 Flachbau

This is one of the rarest and most desirable 911 models, with only 76 units produced globally. Thirty-nine examples, with the internal code ‘X85’, were earmarked for the US market.

Easily identifiable by the ‘flat-nose’ front end, the 911 Turbo S Flachbau was on the 964 generation 911 Turbo. At the time, these unique Porsches were converted to the ‘S’ specification by the Porsche Exclusive department. Bigger turbochargers and other mechanical tweaks boosted the power output to 385 hp, about 25 hp more than the base 911 Turbo.

Other styling highlights, apart from the flattened nose, include air intakes on the rear quarter panels, a unique front splitter, a rear wing with louvres and quad exhaust tips. In August 2022, one of these cars was sold at an RM Sotheby’s auction for $1.35 million.

Porsche 959 Sport

The Porsche 959 is widely regarded as one of the greatest cars of its era, and it is mentioned in the same breath as other legends like the Ferrari F40. A technological tour de force, the 959 set the foundation for cars like the Porsche Carrera GT and 918 Spyder.

Porsche made 292 examples of the 959. The Sport model is even rarer, limited to just 29 examples. The 959 Sport is an extreme variant of the already iconic 959. Built with an uncompromising focus on performance, it is distinguished from the more luxurious Comfort model with a stripped-down interior and a significant weight reduction.

The 959 Sport also got larger turbochargers, resulting in a significant power bump. At the time, the 959 was the fastest production car in the world, capable of top speeds north of 200 mph.

2016 Porsche 911 R

The 2016 Porsche 911 R was a purist’s dream. It combined the raw power of the GT3 RS with the engagement of rear-wheel-drive and a manual transmission. This limited-edition model harkened back to Porsche’s racing heritage with a stripped-down, lightweight design. Under the hood lay a GT3 RS-derived naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine, delivering 500 hp.

The main draw of the 911 R was its focus on performance and driver focus, eschewing luxuries like rear seats, air conditioning, or a radio. The 911 R also had little sound-deadening materials, with lightweight plastic side and rear windows. Only 991 examples were made, and in 2023, someone paid almost half a million dollars to acquire one at auction, a testament to its worth.

2017 Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series

Limited to just 500 units worldwide, this special edition Turbo S pushed the boundaries of what a 911 could be. At launch, it was the most powerful Turbo S variant ever made. Beyond the standard Turbo S’s already impressive power, the Exclusive Series boasted an extra 27 hp, a boost that guaranteed an extra dose of exhilarating performance.

The 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series was more than just raw performance. Meticulous craftsmanship and exclusive materials adorned the interior and exterior, creating a truly opulent experience. Every detail was meticulously considered and painstakingly applied, from the unique exterior paint finishes to the hand-stitched leather and carbon fibre accents. To top it off, owners were offered a matching Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series watch, a perfect complement to their exclusive ride.

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster Heritage Design Package

Porsche only made 1,948 examples of this 911 Speedster, one of which was the final 991-generation Porsche 911 off the assembly line. It’s a number that also signifies the historical significance of the first Porsche, a 1948 356. The Speedster debuted in 1954 and has been re-released several times since then. However, the German carmaker has stayed faithful to key design elements like the steeply raked windshield and signature twin streamliners.

The 911 Speedster Heritage Design Package is a throwback to Porsche’s golden era. The exterior boasts a striking two-tone paint job, complemented by black alloy wheels and heritage badging. Inside, the cabin is a subtle blend of classic and modern luxury. The interior exudes exclusivity with black leather sports seats accented by crisp white stitching and the embroidered Heritage Design logos.

Power comes courtesy of a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six that generates north of 500 hp. There’s no reason for this Porsche beauty to be a garage queen.

Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years

Perhaps not as highly rated as the other entries on this list, the Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years is still fully deserving of special recognition. Unveiled to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Porsche’s entry model, this Boxster pays specific homage to the iconic 1993 concept car with unique 20-inch wheels and a choice of GT Silver, black, or white paint.

The front and rear aprons have been redesigned and finished in the same gold colour as the wheels, creating a distinct look. Special badging, a staple for limited-edition cars, can be found in the rev counter, on the cup holder cover and beneath the rear spoiler. With the Boxster, Porsche found a winning formula with a mix of well-balanced mid-engine layout, excellent driving dynamics and an affordable price tag.

2014 Porsche 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition

The 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition is a tribute to Porsche’s storied history in motorsports. Based on the Carrera S, its 3.8-litre flat-six engine generates 400 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The car is instantly recognizable, with the Martini Racing stripes running down the middle of it. Other exterior aesthetic touches include black accents for the front splitter, side skirts, and black 20-inch center-lock wheels.

The Martini theme continues inside with blue and black leather sports seats that feature the Martini Racing logo. Only 80 units of the 2014 Porsche 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition were produced worldwide. This exclusivity and symbolic status make it a highly sought-after collector’s item for Porsche enthusiasts.

Porsche 935 Street

Rounding off this list is a Porsche unicorn, the one-of-one Porsche 935 Street. This custom build was commissioned by Mansour Ojjeh, founder of TAG Group. It was the first model completed by the Porsche Exclusive division (after the carmaker’s formal recognition of the Sonderwunsch programme).

The car is based on the Porsche 930, but its power output has been bumped to 380 hp, a hefty 25% increase over the stock car. The 935-style bodywork is finished in striking metallic red, complemented by BBS split-rim wheels. Custom touches on the interior include wood dashboard panelling and Recaro seats.