Porsche offered its first open top model designed specifically for America back in 1952. It was a 356 Roadster and only 16 units were offered. 40 years later, the idea was revived with the launch of the 964 America Roadster. After another 30 years, Porsche brought back the idea and announced the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America. This time Porsche will build a total of 115 units and each one starts out at $184,920.

What is the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition?

Let me start by telling you what is not special about this special edition: its powertrain. The model is based on the 911 Carrera GTS, which means it has the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine that delivers a total of 473 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed manual. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in the same 3.3 seconds, while top speed is 193 mph.

The car was designed by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, and it is of course just an appearance package. It is finished in an exclusive Azureblue356 paint inspired by the 1953 356 America Roadster. The blue finish is highlighted by a windshield frame painted in Satin Black and decals finished in White with Guards Red accents placed on both sides. The model designation on the rear features ‘911 Carrera’ in White and "GTS" in Guards Red. Porsche is also offering a special set of RS Spyder Design Wheels with white spokes and a Guards Red pinstripe running along the edge.

The cabin is trimmed in a Pebble Grey leather, and, in order to match the exterior, there are various two-tone stitching in Guards Red and Pebble Grey. A special "America" logo is embossed into the leather of the center console, while special door sills further commemorate 70 years of America Roadster models. Porsche is offering an optional extended interior package that will add the same two-tone stitching theme to the steering wheel, gear stick, and seats.

As standard equipment, the the GTS America Edition comes with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Sport, a sport exhaust, the Sport Chrono Package, and cast-iron brake rotors measuring 408 mm at the front with six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380 mm rotors at the rear with four-piston fixed aluminum calipers finished in Black. As an option you can also opt for the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB).

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America edition will be limited to 115 units. Prices will start from $184,920 for the "base" model and from $192,430 for the models equipped with the extended interior package.

What are the other two open-top models specially built for America?

The first open-top model Porsche ever designed for American was the 356 America Roadster. It had all the bare essentials removed and was powered by a 1,480-cc flat-four engine that delivered a total of 70 horsepower. There were only 16 units built.

The second model was based on the 964-generation 911. It was limited to only 250 units and featured the wide body, brakes, suspension, and 17-inch Porsche Cup wheels of the contemporary 911 Turbo.