$235,000 may seem like an insane amount of money to blow on a single car, but it’s business as usual for an air-cooled Porsche 911. Of course, this is a turbocharged 930 model with only 16,600 miles, so the stakes are slightly different. Overall, the 930 – like most high-performance cars – was used as a weekend driver-only, a behavior driven in part by its “widow maker” reputation. Regardless, it is a legendary sports car in the history of European road rockets, and this one is likely one of the best ones left. Find it here on eBay and located in Newport, New Hampshire,
I don’t often see exotica like this in New England, and I’m curious if it has been tearing up New Hampshire backroads in the summer months. The seller reports that the 930 has been with the same owner for 23 years and that you’re looking at 100 percent factory paint. For a car known for exposing inexperienced drivers, evidence of paint work and repairs to the fat rear fenders is not uncommon, even on low-mileage cars like this. The 930 certainly was a handful, but it was also a surprisingly over-built super car in its day, making it one of the more robust machines you could buy at this level of the sports car hierarchy.
The interior is in good condition but is slightly let down by the presentation. Those gray floor mats with dirt and stains are driving me nuts as this is a simple thing to address before the photo shoot. And while the original steering wheel is included, I would have replaced the later three-spoke with the one this 930 left the factory with to emphasize the originality that only a time-warp specimen can possess. These are not indications of a car that doesn’t deserve top dollar, but rather a few improvements that would take a grand total of 30 minutes to yield a much different appearance inside the car. The dash is uncracked and the black leatherette presents well.
Fortunately, the engine bay makes up for the dings against the cockpit with a spotless presentation and all the right details in place, such as the engine bay warning stickers and the sticker on the air filter housing; this looks like an engine that belongs in a 16K mile car. The seller confirms this 930 will come with a full stack of paperwork as well as factory manuals, a radio card, and two sets of keys. The 930 has been a blue chip investment for some time and represents a smart addition to any collection of European performance cars. Factor in the overbuilt qualities and scorching performance and you have a modern classic that will always be appreciated.
Having been associated with several 930s in the late ’70s and throughout the ’80s and doing repair work on them, the one thing a inexperienced driver does if getting into a corner too fast is to let off the gas. If you do that with the 930 you will find yourself looking in your mirrors to see where you were originally heading. Staying on the gas is not normal for 95% of the drivers on the road but is the way to keep a 930 going in the right direction. There are several track day and race schools in the country that will teach the novice driver how to keep their huge investment between the green.
“There are several track day and race schools in the country that will teach the novice driver how to keep their huge investment between the green.”
And be alive to look in the mirrors.
I am amazed with such horrendous handling that they ever were as popular as they were. More about prestige than performance.
The handling is far from horrendous. You just have to know what a rear heavy car with way too much understeer dialed into it (I heard for the US market only?) wants and likes. Take some of the understeer out of it and you have a fine handling machine
I can’t tell you have many owners of this car, and the regular 911 that I’ve instructed over the years at race tracks in the Northeast. Best insurance policy you can buy
The comparison might seem like a reach, but my formula vee is similar. You know it’s about to come around on you when you’re looking head-on at the other cars.
The majority of the 930s were wrecked, not just because of letting up on the throttle in a high speed turn, but the turbo lag would shock you when it eventually spun up, they were known as the “Doctor Killers”.
These cars were awesome, I was lucky enough to drive them back then. Beautiful car.
Beautiful car
I guess that’s where “when in doubt punch it out” comes from…lol
nothing wrong with the handling if you know how to drive.
WOW, just WOW !!!
I remember seeing my first Porsche in person. It was around 1980, and my Dad had taken me to the local VW/Porsche dealer, and they had a new 911 SC Turbo Targa in the showroom. I was amazed at the sheer presence of the car, the fat rear tires, wing big enough to tailgate on, and the $45,000 price tag. Back then, that was an incredible chunk of change, but it was something I never forgot.
I remember these rocket ships new. When American cars were slow, Porsche took over. There is no substitute.
Never heard of this place, I should take a little road trip and check out the retail location they mention. Their inventory is – WOW!
Probably wouldn’t let a schlub like me through the front door, though.