Description
When Porsche unveiled the 911 Turbo at the Paris Motor Show in 1974, the Stuttgart marque took another step in its story by bringing road-going technologies to fruition from its racing programme. The Type 930 is directly inspired by research carried out on turbocharged endurance prototypes, above all the legendary 917 Turbo. When it went on sale in 1975, it quickly became simply the fastest production Porsche ever built.
The first version is fitted with a 3. 0-litre flat-six engine producing 260 hp. Its KKK turbocharger delivered exceptional performance for the time, but also a very distinctive character. The power comes in brutally once the turbo spools up, unleashing dramatic acceleration that would go on to define the 930’s reputation. This unique personality, combined with the 911’s typical mass distribution thanks to its rear overhung engine, demands an experienced driver—and helps to forge the Turbo legend.
In 1978, Porsche developed the model with the arrival of the Turbo 3. 3. Capacity was increased to 3, 299 cc and, crucially, the engine was fitted with an air-to-air heat exchanger (intercooler) to cool the compressed air before it enters the intake. This innovation significantly improves engine efficiency, increases reliability, and enables power of 300 hp at 5, 500 rpm, while torque reaches 412 Nm at 4, 000 rpm. Fuel delivery is handled by Bosch K-Jetronic mechanical injection, well known for its robustness and precision.
To accommodate this substantial intercooler, Porsche completely redesigns the rear spoiler. Wider and flatter than that fitted to the early 3. 0 models, it soon earned the nickname “Tea Tray” and became one of the brand’s most iconic styling cues. Paired with significantly flared wings, 16-inch Fuchs wheels and brakes derived from the 917, it creates a silhouette that has since become timeless.
With a top speed in excess of 250 km/ h and a 0–100 km/ h time just over five seconds, the 911 Turbo 3. 3 ranks among the most capable cars of the early 1980s. More than just a high-performance sports car, it embodies Porsche’s engineering know-how—combining very high-level performance, exceptional build quality and outstanding endurance.
The example presented here was produced on 5 January 1981. Its “Certificate of Authenticity Porsche” confirms that it is still equipped with its original 930/ 60 engine and its 930/ 34 four-speed gearbox, making this car a genuine matching-numbers example. It is finished in its elegant Zinc Metallic paint (code Z8), with a black leather interior. The original equipment includes, among other things, air conditioning, an electric mirror, an alarm system and a black headlining.
This Porsche has been maintained with particular care and meticulous attention. In 2019, it underwent a major mechanical overhaul with Porsche J. Houyoux, in Marche-en-Famenne, amounting to more than €9, 300 in work. The work included replacing the front and rear shock absorbers, wheel bearings, turbo gaskets, driveshaft bellows, the clutch cable, differential bearings, as well as numerous gaskets and bushes. The braking system was fully disassembled and overhauled, with replacement of discs, pads and flexible hoses, while all four calipers were inspected and reconditioned. The engine received a complete oil change, a new oil filter, the injectors were cleaned ultrasonically, and the throttle body was serviced.
The maintenance history continued in 2020 at the Porsche Carrera Motors Centre, where nearly €6, 000 worth of additional genuine parts and servicing operations were added to this significant mechanical record—demonstrating the consistent attention given to this automobile.
In March 2025, this 911 Turbo was assessed by an independent expert. The report highlights its excellent overall condition, its remarkable level of authenticity and the quality of its maintenance. The expert states that no notable components deviate from its original configuration and sets its replacement value at €125, 000 VAT included.
Today, the Porsche 930 is widely regarded as one of the greatest icons in sports car history. As the first mass-produced 911 Turbo, it represents an era when performance was achieved above all through mechanical genius and driver skill. This example ticks all the boxes sought by collectors: a matching-numbers configuration, an elegant presentation in its original colour, recently documented maintenance and a recent appraisal confirming its excellent preservation. It represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the most emblematic Porsche models of the air-cooled era.
