Description
Bonhams are delighted to offer at our forthcoming Collectors' Motor Car Auction on Friday 30th June at The Goodwood Festival of Speed, Chichester. The full online catalogue can be viewed at - details above
1993 PORSCHE 911 TURBO 3. 6-LITRE TYPE 964 X88 COUPÉ
REGISTRATION NO. NOT UK REGISTERED
CHASSIS NO. WPOZZZ96ZPS470239
* Most powerful model in the Type 964 range
* Factory-built with the X88 package
* Circa 96, 500 kilometres from new
* Recent major service
£250, 000 - 300, 000
€290, 000 - 340, 000
'The new engine turned out to have enormous marketing power. It became a real status symbol to have that little word 'turbo' on your rear deck, and this fashion spread right across the motor industry.' - Peter Morgan, 'Original Porsche 911'.
Much of the Porsche 911's development had resulted from the factory's racing programme, and it was the then Group 4 homologation rules, which required 400 road cars to be built, which spurred the development of 'Project 930' - the legendary 911 Turbo. In production from April 1975, the Turbo married a KKK turbocharger to the 3. 0-litre RSR engine, in road trim a combination that delivered 260bhp for a top speed of 250km/ h. But the Turbo wasn't just about top speed, it was also the best-equipped 911 and amazingly flexible - hence only four speeds in the gearbox - being capable of racing from a standstill to 62km/ h in 14 seconds.
The Turbo's characteristic flared wheelarches and 'tea tray' rear spoiler had already been seen on the Carrera model, while the interior was the most luxurious yet seen in a 911, featuring leather upholstery, air conditioning and electric windows. The Turbo's engine was enlarged to 3. 3 litres for 1978, gaining an inter-cooler in the process; power increased to 300bhp and the top speed of what was the fastest-accelerating road car of its day went up to 260km/ h. More refined than hitherto yet retaining its high performance edge, the Turbo sold in the thousands, becoming the definitive sports car of its age. When Porsche revealed that the original 911 would be replaced by the new Type 964 in 1990, dealer stocks of the existing Turbo model sold out overnight.
Representing a major step forward for the 911, the new Carrera 4 and Carrera 2 - coded named '964' - were launched in 1989, the former marking the first time that four-wheel drive had been seen on a series-production 911. Porsche had experimented with four-wheel drive on the 959 supercar, and many of the lessons learned from the latter influenced the design of the 964's chassis and suspension. Face-lifted but retaining that familiar shape, the Carreras had been given a more extensive work-over mechanically, 87% of parts being claimed as entirely new. Although the normally aspirated duo shared the same 3. 6-litre, 247bhp, flat-six engine, the Turbo initially kept its existing 3. 3-litre unit, which now developed 320bhp. Power-assisted steering (another 911 'first'), anti-lock brakes and a five-speed manual transmission were standard, with the Tiptronic auto 'box a Carrera 2-only option.
In October 1992 the Turbo received the 3. 6-litre engine, which in 'blown' form now produced a mighty 355bhp. The 3. 6-litre Turbo was produced only for the 1993/ 1994 model year, with fewer than 1, 500 sold, making it one of the rarest and most sought after Porsches since the Type 959. One of the factory options was the 'X88' package of performance enhancements that included the 380bhp M64/ 50S Turbo 'S' engine, 18" Speedline spit-rim wheels, and a four-pipe exhaust system. The 'X88' kit was available as a factory option through the 'Porsche Exclusive' programme or as a retrofit kit from Porsche dealers. Correspondence on file from Porsche Centre Stavanger states that 155 'X88' engines were produced, but only 52 cars were supplied with this engine as factory specification like that offered here. A Porsche email printout confirms that this car's engine (number '61P00691') received the 'X88' kit on the production line.
Representing the Type 964 in its ultimate incarnation, this 3. 6-litre Turbo 'X88' belongs to Thor Hushovd, Norway's most successful racing cyclist. Mainly known as a time-trial specialist and sprinter, Hushovd is the first Norwegian to have led the Tour de France, pulling on the famous yellow jersey for the first time in 2006, while the previous year he had won the points classification's green jersey, a feat he would repeat in 2009. Hushovd is also the first Scandinavian to have won the World Road Race Championship (in 2010) and the Scandinavian with the highest number of stage wins in Grand Tours. He retired from racing in 2014.
Delivered new in Germany via PZ-Sportwagenzentrum Göttingen GmbH, the car is finished in Midnight Blue with LE leather interior, and has numerous desirable features including sports seats, air conditioning, locking differential, power steering, sunroof, adjustable seat heating, rear wiper, driver/ passenger airbags, and the 18" RS-Cup wheels.
Thor purchased the Porsche three years ago from a collector in Cannes, who had bought the car from another Frenchman who imported it into France in 2000. The car is offered fresh from a major service undertaken in February 2017 by Porsche agents RS Motors (see bills for circa €15, 000 on file) and has just had a complete polish and ceramic protective paint coating applied. This beautiful 911 Turbo is presented today in generally excellent condition, having covered approximately 96, 500 kilometres from new. Accompanying documentation consists of the original service booklet (stamped), a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity (confirming the 'X88' option), the aforementioned Porsche correspondence, old German Fahrzeugbrief, and current Monegasque registration papers.
