Stärke’s latest coachbuilt Speedster pairs hand-sculpted, 1950s-inspired design with the modern features of the 2017-and-newer 718 platform—plus a build-to-order approach that makes “one of one” the default.
Some cars are about lap times. Others are about the way they make you feel before you’ve even turned the key—roof down, horizon wide, and a silhouette that looks like it rolled out of a better decade.
That’s the lane Stärke Motor Company is doubling down on with its all-new Gen 2 Speedster, announced January 29, 2026 from Grandview. The boutique coachbuilder calls it the company’s “most advanced and refined Speedster yet,” and it’s available to order immediately.
The mission is clear: blend timeless, vintage-inspired style with the comfort, reliability, performance, and safety of modern engineering—specifically by building around the 2017-and-onward 718 platform.
Coachbuilt, But Not Cosplay
Stärke positions itself at the front of the “classic car reimagined” movement, and Gen 2 is the cleanest expression of that idea so far. The company uses 3D scanning and Computer-Aided Design to develop a custom body engineered to fit precisely over a 718 chassis. The result is a hand-sculpted shape meant to deliver classic presence—without inheriting the usual compromises that come with genuinely vintage hardware.
In short: it’s designed to look like a throwback, while driving like something you’d actually want to use.
Three Engines, Two Transmissions, One Very Specific Vibe
Underneath that coachbuilt skin, Gen 2 buyers can choose from three powertrains:
- 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four producing 300 horsepower
- 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four producing 350 horsepower
- 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six producing 394 horsepower
Transmission choices stick to enthusiast essentials:
- Six-speed manual
- Seven-speed paddle-shift
It’s a lineup that gives you a range of character—boosted torque or naturally aspirated response—while keeping the overall promise consistent: classic-style, modern-capable.
Modern Comfort Stays (Because Suffering Isn’t a Feature)
One of the core Gen 2 claims is that it avoids the typical “old-car penalties.” Stärke says virtually the entire drivetrain, suspension, and crash structure carry over directly from the 718. That matters, because it means the car’s vintage vibe isn’t achieved by stepping backward where it counts.
Driver assistance tech is also part of the equation: Stärke notes that all ADAS features are retained when the car is optioned with the original exterior rearview mirrors.
Inside, Stärke says modern convenience is fully intact, including:
- Heated seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Full power accessories
- Power soft top
The headline here isn’t luxury—it’s livability. The kind that makes an open-top classic-inspired car feel like something you can actually reach for on a random Tuesday, not just a curated weekend.
Built to Order Means Built to You
Every Gen 2 Speedster is meticulously handcrafted to order, and customization is central to the pitch. During the design process, clients can tailor the car with choices that include:
- Virtually any exterior paint scheme
- A variety of interior colors and materials
- Wheel designs
- Drivetrains
- Individual details to make the car feel genuinely personal
Stärke’s line is simple and confident: no two Speedsters are alike.
A Speedster, Rooted in Heritage, Engineered for Today
CEO Seth Gortenburg frames Gen 2 as the clearest version of the company’s philosophy yet—capturing the look and spirit of classics from the ’50s and ’60s, but with the everyday usability and drivability of a modern car. And he’s explicit about who it’s for: the enthusiast who wants something a little different from the usual resto-mod playbook.
Pricing and Delivery
Stärke is accepting orders now, with pricing structured around whether you already have a donor car:
- Starting at $135,000 when a donor car is supplied
- A “hands-free” option starts at $189,000, with Stärke sourcing the donor car
Delivery is typically within six months, depending on specifications.
