Porsche's Model 911 has always been among the fastest sports cars money could buy. In 1973 and 1974, the 911 Carrera RS was merely a race car in disguise, and wearing the RSR designation, even the disguise was no more. Relentlessly searching for more power and higher speeds, Porsche developed turbocharged versions for the race track. In October of 1974, the Überporsche was introduced to the public, wearing the model designation 930 and henceforth known to every car enthusiast simply as the turbo.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 629 pixels)
Looking like a 911 Carrera on steroids, the 930 was a fire-spewing dragon slayer in wolves' clothes. It could run with any street-legal supercar on the planet, including its Italian contemporaries Ferrari 512 Boxer and Lamborghini Countach. At the stoplight Grand Prix, it was among the fastest cars to ever hit the streets. The turbo retained its 'King of the Street' title until the summer of 1979, when tightened emissions laws forced the 930's retreat from the U.S. market.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 632 pixels)
Yes, the 930 was reborn for the U.S. market as the "911 turbo" in 1986, but it wasn't the same. What made the Ur-930 famous is its outrageous charisma of being a purebred race car for highway use, making do without complex emissions equipment, stability control, and other electronic systems limiting the driver's input. A mere 2,918 U.S. spec turbos were built during the first four years; few of these monster Porsches have survived, even fewer are in pristine condition. Here's one!
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
A California car since new, VIN *9309800528* was first sold on June 28, 1979 at Anderson/Rehel Porsche-Audi in Santa Clara. Soon, the car found its way to beautiful Santa Barbara, living a sheltered life in the climate-controlled 6-car garage kept by the CEO of a famous franchise restaurant chain, who passed away in 2005. However, the car had not been on the road since 1994, and the miles shown on the odometer--050,951--are of the original, documented kind!
Still wearing its original "California sunset" license plates, all registration fees have been paid to make the tags current.
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Let's check out this dream find now, inside and out!
We start our inspection with the trunk, since this area can deliver valuable clues about a Porsche's true condition. Below the perfect gray felt mat, everything looks pristinely original.
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Unused inflatable spare, tire jack, stamped warranty and service booklet, even the factory-supplied plastic gloves and wheel bags are still present. An extra treat is the fantastic, high-end stereo system that was installed in 1984, to the tune of $3,199.51 (a lot of money, back then!), featuring Linear, Bose, JBL, Philips, and Alpine components. The in-dash head unit has recently been upgraded to a state-of-the-art, satellite-radio-ready, Pioneer DEH-P3900MP AM/FM/CD player with remote control.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 575 pixels)
Still wearing most of its factory original Guards Red paint, this Porsche sparkles. There are no dings, dents, scratches, or imperfections worth losing your sleep over, confirming the turbo's pampered existence for the past 28 years.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 604 pixels)
Obligatory FUCHS forged alloy wheels look fantastic on the turbo, especially when they are as pristine as these. The 7" front wheels were recently fitted with a brand new set of KUMHO Ecsta Supra ultra high performance radials of the correct size 225/45ZR16, out back, the 8" wheels wear equally fresh 245/45ZR16s.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 611 pixels)
A very desirable option: the electric sunroof. Let the sunshine in!
Other turbo options include power brakes, power mirrors, power windows, headlight washer jets, and rear window wiper.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (900 x 591 pixels)
The lowered stance, deep front valance and large rear spoiler are no visual gimmicks, mind you. With acceleration from zero to sixty in the sub 5-second range and a top speed of nearly 180mph, aerodynamics are a vital part of survival. So are the brakes, by the way, hugely sized multi-caliper units grabbing drilled discs, derived straight from the famous Porsche 917 Can-Am race car.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 638 pixels)
Peeking inside this turbo, luxury is abundant. Real burled wood, installed by Santa Barbara specialist Madera Concepts, and fine leather graces the traditional dash; a Personal steering wheel and the state-of-the-art audio components add to the impressive ambiance.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 635 pixels)
Speaking of leather, this turbo comes with the full leather interior. Italian cow hides grace virtally every surface inside: dash, front and rear seats, door panels, and side panels; all this is complemented by deep velour carpeting that's exclusive to the turbo.
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
Leather-clad door panels contain 2 speakers each; condition of the leather interior is consistent with a cherished, low-mileage car that's been garaged all its life.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 638 pixels)
Hard to detect by the casual observer, there's a custom-made, leather-covered rear speaker console that has been fitted so perfectly, you'd think it came like this from the factory.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 622 pixels)
Factory-prescribed, large whale tail rear spoiler feeds huge air-to-air intercooler with all the fresh oxygen it needs.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 638 pixels)
Below the deck lid, inside the toothbrush-clean engine bay, lives Porsche's fabled 3.3-liter turbo power plant, developing 265 Teutonic horses @5,500 rpm, five hp more than the original 3.0-liter Euro-spec engine. Please, note that this matching numbers engine is completely stock and unmodified; even the emissions equipment is still present, just the A/C belt has been removed in the interest of maximum performance. This turbo runs super strong and displays no ill manners whatsoever--like smoking, oil piddling, or drinking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Click on any of the above images for a full-size view
In fact, we just had a major engine-out service performed by the experts at TLG in North Hollywood, our SoCal Porsche shop of choice. While at it, Master Tony checked the leakdown, which came in at 4-6% cold. The fuel system was completely gone through, from the injectors, the pump, lines, and fuel sending unit, to the tank. An invoice of $1,600.00--dated 4/16/07--is included. Apart from the fuel system, the car also faetures a new battery, and clutch; the original transmission was rebuilt with new synchros and gaskets. It's dry as a bone now. All fluids were changed, of course: SWEPCO 201 trans oil, Castrol GTX engine oil, ATE blue brake fluid.
Naturally, we've also had the engine compartment seal and sound deadening pad replaced.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (875 x 633 pixels)
She's ready to rumble, you bet!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 633 pixels)
Monday, April 23, was a brilliantly sunny day in Ventura, California. The Red Ferrari Killer's engine fired easily and settled instantly into a smooth idle. We've enjoyed a quick drive down Pacific Coast Highway to Neptune's Net in Malibu, where we had lunch. The car runs, drives, handles, and stops flawlessly. Docile around town, it sounds like a STIHL on steroids above 4,500rpm and it runs like a raped ape. All lights, gauges, and switches work, even the "dial-a-heat."
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 638 pixels)
Driving this collectible, exotic Porsche truly is an unforgettable, uniquely pleasurable experience. Its low mileage--the car has covered less than 2,000 miles annually, on average--certainly provides an extra dimension of satisfaction: there are no squeaks or rattles; this 930 feels as solid as a rock!
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (850 x 636 pixels)
Here's your chance to acquire one of the last, all-original, first-generation Porsche 930 turbo supercars. The Ur-turbo delivers everything its aggessive exterior promises: extreme driving pleasures, undiminished prestige, unlimited appreciation potential.
Click on the above image for an XXL-sized view (875 x 628 pixels)
A scant 1,200 U.S. turbos were made in '79; almost three decades later, not many low-mileage, rust free examples are left to choose from. As always, the best of the best are destined to appreciate steadily.
Addendum:
This Porsche Turbo sold in May 2007 to an enthusiast in Canada.