In 1954, Max Hoffman, the importer of Porsche cars to North America persuaded Ferdinand to make a lightweight, racing oriented sports car for the West Coast. The "Speedster" was born and was an immediate success. Some 44 years later John Steele was inspired to make a modern replica of the now iconic Speedster, as a way to offer a modern classic car that was exciting and visceral to drive. A car that would connect its driver to the road and directly to the machine. Using modern components, the first of John's Speedsters hit the road in 1992. Since then, more than 400 JPS Speedsters and Coupes have been designed and built for customers all over the world.