Fantasy Junction

Description

1979 Porsche 930 Turbo
Light Blue Metallic with Brown Leather Interior
s/n 9309800956 Engine no. *6890687*

Although the Porsche Turbo is now a natural fixture in the consciousness of car buffs because it is such an iconic car, it was genuinely earth-shattering when it emerged in the mid 1970s. After massive success pioneering the use of turbochargers during the first half of the 1970s in the 917 Can Am and 911-based sports cars, Porsche had the knowhow to bring a reliable and capable turbocharged road car to market. The 930 was hugely impressive when new, and contemporary road testers gushed about its effortless ability to gain speed with deceptive composure, an attribute that seemed positively alien in a period when few drivers had experienced turbocharged cars. And indeed the car's massive performance by contemporary standards made it a genuine contender for supercar status, placing Porsche in a different category than it had previously occupied in the eyes of performance car junkies for the first time.

In many ways, the production 930 was diametrically opposed to Porsche's previous high performance 911, the Carrera RS. Where the RS of just a few years earlier was a raw and elemental homologated race car adapted for the road, the 930 was a proper flagship: a luxurious and refined car meant to effortlessly cover great distance at high speed. However, during this period, competition prepared Porsche Turbos were cleaning up on the race track, and the 930's lurid fender flares and rear spoiler gave the car a distinctive, purposeful, and aggressive presence that would be immortalized, among other places, on the walls of many schoolboys. Although relatively affordable and overlooked by collectors for many years, early 930s have emerged as collectible cars thanks to their iconic styling, innovative technology, and direct connection to some of Porsche's most successful race cars, which by extension, means some of the most successful race cars of all time.

Initially available in a non-intercooled 3.0 liter variant that is now highly collectible, albeit curious to drive, a 3.3 liter intercooled variant superseded the 3.0 for the 1978 model year. By 1980, US laws had evolved enough to prevent the further sale of the 930 by Porsche North America, and it was not until 1986 when the incorporation of oxygen sensor, electronic assistance for the mechanical fuel injection system, and three-way catalytic converter permitted its return to the US. Thus, the 1979 model year 930 is, especially in the United States, a special year.

This particular car is a late production 1979 model year US market car built in October of 1979 and now offered as a 49 state car. A three-owner car with 35,000 miles indicated, the car is an honest and tight example that retains its matching-numbers engine and transmission. It is finished in its attractive and unusual original color combination of light blue metallic with brown leather interior. The car is equipped with its original sport seats as well as limited slip differential, both of which are confirmed by the Certificate of Authenticity.

The car was sold new in Connecticut and remained there with its first owner until 1986. Its second owner was also in Connecticut and kept the car from 1986-87, at which point its current owner, a resident of Massachusetts, purchased it. He had the gearbox rebuilt in 1994. It remains largely stock aside from a vintage aftermarket stereo (complete with Nakamichi cassette player!), aftermarket steering wheel, and B&B dual outlet muffler. The car has also been equipped with rare and desirable European H1 headlamps.

Cosmetically, the car presents well. The car was repainted to good standards and the paint is in very good condition, with a few chips and scratches around the car. The paint has good gloss although the windows appear to have been left in during the repaint. The body is straight and solid with good panel fit and operation. The trim and badges are in very nice shape, as are the lights and glass. The windscreen appears to be original and has Sigla and W. Germany etchings. The rubber is generally in good shape aside from some cracking at the bottom corners of the rear windscreen seal. The wheels are in excellent shape and wear Bridgestone RE-11 tires with 2015 date codes.

The interior is in excellent original condition. The leather on the sports seats remains supple and shows light wear, and the carpets are in very nice original condition. The dashboard and door cap leather is similarly nice, and the gauges and switches are correct and in good shape. The headliner has a few cuts and is of the correct black color, a change that happened partway through 3.3 liter 930 production. The condition and integrity of the interior support the low indicated mileage of 35,000.

The engine compartment appears unmodified and has not been restored. It has some soiling but is mercifully undisturbed, a rarity among 930s. The trunk is also pleasingly original. The perlon carpet shows some minor aging and the structural elements beneath the carpets are excellent. The spare is date coded the 34th week of 1979 (August) and the jack and tool roll are present with the car.

The car runs and drives well. Aside from being cold blooded when it’s first started, the engine runs well. The clutch engages smoothly and positively and the gearbox has good synchromesh and linkage. The steering has the inimitable light and communicative 911 feel and the chassis and suspension are tight and reassuring. Both the driving experience and interior condition are consistent with a low mileage car that has been sympathetically kept.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the last US 930s before the car’s six year hiatus from the US market. Finished in its unique and stunning original color combination and desirably equipped with sport seats, this is a car with excellent integrity and low mileage example that is coming out of thirty years with the same owner. The car has its owner’s manual, tool roll, jack, and a handful of records dating back to the late 1980s. Please note that 1979 930s were not equipped with catalytic converters and therefore California buyers are unlikely to be able to register this car.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608