1981 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo

The 911 Turbo, introduced in 1975 and remaining in production until 1989, was sufficiently different from previous versions to earn a new-930-model number. These were proper "Supercars", amongst the fastest production cars available at the time and are now felt by many to be the cars that defined the early eighties. A turbocharged 911 was first seen at the 1973 Paris Auto Show as a pre-production prototype, essentially to gauge reaction and went on sale a couple of years later as the 911(930) Turbo. The basic engine underpinnings came from the Carrera 2.7RS with the capacity increased to 3.0 litres and, of course, turbocharged using the vast amount of recent experience with forced air induction that Porsche had gained from their 917/30 Can-Am programme. Externally distinctive with its "Whale Tail" rear spoiler, wide tyres, bulging wheel arches and macho stance, 930s were surprisingly civilised with air conditioning, electric windows, a leather interior, tinted glass, headlamp washers and Bilstein shock absorbers as standard. After two years, the engine was enlarged from 3.0 litres to 3.3 and power outputs increased over time from 260 to 330bhp. Turbo-lag was an ever present problem with the early cars, and with 330 willing horses arriving mostly at the same time, together with the 911's characteristic handling, a scenic drive could quickly turn into a drive through the scenery, however this problem was ironed out as the cars were developed further over the years.

This very fine 1981 example is a UK specified and supplied car, in right-hand drive and looks stunning in metallic Silver. The car was subject to a full bare-metal restoration in 2010 and painted in its correct factory colour along with a retrim in Dark Blue leather with White inserts and piping on the seats. The dedicated Turbo carpets are in deep blue and are excellent. Photographs and invoices relating to this rebuild are in the car's history file, as is its full service history with invoices from new, every MoT test certificate neatly bound and a Certificate of Authenticity telling the story of this wonderful car's life.

A stainless steel exhaust was recently fitted and the car is equipped with a sunroof and a remote alarm system. With its "Tea Tray" rear spoiler and "Look at me" presence the 911 Turbo somehow came to represent the unfortunate "Red Braces" excesses of the eighties, but that image has faded over the last few years and the Turbo is now seen correctly as a classic iconic Porsche in an increasingly buoyant market. One for the discerning owner, and not to be missed.