1986 930 TURBO * 63,000 MILES * £59,995
A1986 car, this 930 Turbo stands out from the herd by being both original – low mileage and unrestored condition – and unoriginal – a five speed gearbox, Ruf Paceline rims and a respray in yellow. And a reissued VIN. Potential buyers will naturally home in first on this: indeed this particular 930 with VIN beginning SAB instead of the usual WPO attracted the forensic attention of Chris Horton. He reported on this seeming anomaly in a 2014 edition of 911&PW, concluding that rather than a forgery of sorts hiding a dark secret, this was a genuine renumbering by the DVLA, confirmed by correspondence with Swansea, correspondence which did not however specify why the change had been effected. The 930’s then proprietor told Horton that what mattered most to him was the Turbo’s character and its exceptional condition and 911&PW’S columnist raised his hat to a 911 owner concerned more about what the car did rather than what it was, sentiments with which most enthusiasts will concur.
A thick history file accompanies the Turbo and though incomplete it does suggest that the indicated mileage may be genuine. There have been seven owners and regular stamps from the likes of Autofarm and Northway take the service book through to 2002 and an indicated 46,311 miles; the files confirm such details as the installation of the five speed G50/50 by Autofarm in 1996, and fitting of Ruf alloys, a grey leather interior and a respray in yellow under the aegis of Northway in about 2000. After several years of very low mileage further work, largely age related, was undertaken in 2017 when a £6000 service replaced among others heat exchangers and oil pipework and coolers. Brakes were relined and brake and clutch fluids replaced in September 2019.
Yellow is without doubt a shade which suits the 930 today and a combination of care and little use means it has lasted well – there are no tell-tale signs of bubbling paint anywhere and a look underneath confirms the absence of the tin worm which bedevils unrestored impact bumper 911s; the refurbished cabin is a pleasure to sit in, having none of the fatigued look and feel of most 911s of this age: the alacrity with which the electric windows react to their switches epitomises the honed condition of this car.
A fifteen-mile run supports the visual findings: the 930 fluffs a bit from cold, the result of months of relative inactivity, but once warmed up the 3.3 is enthusiastic, especially from 3000rpm when the turbocharger comes to life and by then the 930 is rushing towards the horizon in the best turbo-boost tradition. The five-speed improves the car greatly, lowering the intermediate gearing and giving the driver more control over the slightly on/off nature of the blower.
The 930 proves very good to drive: there are no rattles from the underside, only a slight zizz from the radio mounting in the facia and a refreshing absence of whistling window seals; steering is consistent with none of the variability of old 911s and, unlike some 3.2s this column has tried, the suspension feels just right, providing a reasonable ride as well as ensuring this potentially wayward 911 is encouragingly surefooted. A stainless-steel exhaust has a distinctly “I’m here” note, though the 930 provoked smiles rather than fierce looks as it rumbled (below the speed limit) through Sussex villages.
The previous owner for whom this Turbo’s character counted more than its provenance was right: this was one used Porsche that your correspondent handed back to its vendor with reluctance.