1985 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo SE 'Flat Nose'

The first example delivered to the UK, utilised as the factory press car

Number of superb factory options, confirmed by Porsche GB

Finished in its original colour of Silver Metallic and special order full 'Can-Can Red' leather interior

Fitted with extremely rare Recaro Ideal "C' seats

Fully documented ownership history; just 34,000 miles; enviable service/maintenance history

An exciting opportunity for any lover of the Porsche marque

At the 1973 Paris motor show, Porsche unveiled a prototype turbocharged 911, the "Type 930". By utilising a Kühnle, Kopp and Kausch (KKK) turbocharger, the 930 was the most powerful production Porsche thus far and, suddenly, the 911 was a supercar.

The production-ready 911 Turbo was shown at the Paris show in autumn 1974 and, not surprisingly in an era when turbocharging was seen as rather exotic, it captivated the world's motoring press. Rightly, it was billed as a supremely fast and luxurious flagship model, combining ballistic performance and head-turning looks with air conditioning, electric windows and other creature comforts.

Anyone who followed the "World Championship of Makes" will remember their surprise at the shape of the new 935 when it first appeared at Mugello in March 1976. Subsequently, these "Flat Nose" 935s and 936s (in Group 6) were to prove very competitive in the hands of Ickx, Mass and Stommelen and during the next two seasons managed four victories in eight World Championship races and a triumph at Le Mans in each year. However, Porsche began to worry that all these high-profile victories by the works Flat Nose cars - most famously the "Moby Dick" 935 - might alienate the vast number of private clients who were investing their own money in conventionally shaped competition 911s, hence decided to restrict their efforts for 1978 to an entry at Le Mans.

However, the distinctive look of the Flat Nose or "Flachbau" (literally translated as Low Build) struck a chord in the minds of their road car customers. This demand was initially catered for by "Kremer Racing" who offered a conversion but subsequently this service was taken up by the factory's own Customer Department to special order (Sunderwunschen) from 1981, becoming an official option only in 1986. The front wings were steel, incorporating cooling vents and pop-up headlamps while the rears had extra cooling intakes. There were different sills and along with the body modifications came an even more luxurious interior. The SE "Flatnose' was a fully bespoke, hand-built option for the 1980's Porsche buyer and was over twice as expensive as a standard 930 Turbo when new

The car presented here is a 1985 Porsche 911 (930) SE Flat Nose and was first registered on 11th November 1985 to Porsche GB Ltd. on the famous "911 HUL' number-plate. The 1st of just 50, right-hand drive factory "Flat Nose' models, this example was the Porsche GB press car for many months and featured in numerous publications such as "Car' Magazine in January 1986. It has covered just 34,241 (verifiable) miles.

Finished in its original colour of Silver Metallic, this example was not only the first delivered to the UK, but featured a number of superb factory options, including the extremely rare Recaro Ideal "C' seats, special-order full Can-Can Red leather interior, a full engine conversion with 330bhp, and a modified front spoiler and oil cooler, with all of these specifications confirmed by Porsche GB.

The car was purchased by its previous (and fourth) owner over 16 years ago in April 1999 at 12,200 miles, and boasts a fully documented service history from new, substantiating the mileage and demonstrating that this example has been cared for by knowledgeable Porsche experts such as Bob Watson Engineering, Steve Bull, Porsche GB Reading and Stratstone of Wilmslow. In April 2015 a comprehensive service and check were carried out, plus an A/C service, and a new clutch, new front discs and pads, starter motor, alternator, ignition box, battery and 4 'Continental Sport' tyres, all within the last few thousand miles or so. The current owner is a true classic car enthusiast, ensuring regular maintenance/servicing over the last few years (including a Turbo rebuild), all completed by a Porsche Centre (and their accredited specialists), but circumstances dictate that his Flat Nose must now be sold.

Supplied with its original stamped service books, manuals, wallet, a comprehensive invoice file since 1999, and a number of previous MoT Certificates, we welcome any inspection. This very special car is a blue-chip icon of its era and represents an exciting opportunity for any lover of the Porsche marque. Offered with the original tool-roll, tyre inflation kit, factory stickers, National Panasonic CQ873 stereo, jack, unused spare wheel, and factory wax finish to the inside of the front wings, Silverstone Auctions are very proud to offer this very important piece of Porsche UK history.