Porsche hasn't built a limited-edition Speedster since 1994, and that one was based on the 964 generation of the 911. However, our spy photographers happened to be hanging around the Nurburgring Nordschleife when Porsche engineers hit the 'Ring for a single, rain-soaked lap in a prototype for what appears to be a Speedster variant of the mid-engine Boxster.
The camouflaged rear deck on this lastest prototype is hiding signs of the Speedster's classic double-humps behind the headrests. Yet, this prototype's windshield seems to have lost the delicacy of the windscreen frame on either the '94 Speedster or the wide-body '89 Speedster. 
More design tweaks could be in store as this Boxster-based Speedster gets closer to production, though -- provided today's crash standards aren't too much to overcome.
And we really do hope Porsche can swing this one. The Boxster is already a wonderful driver's car. But take some weight and complexity out of it, and you'd possibly have a legitimate modern-day reincarnation of the 550 Spyder.
There's a second photo of Porsche's Speedster prototype after the jump.
First Drive: 2009 Porsche Boxster
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