While we all have projects that we hope to get to someday, most of us would say there’s a threshold for what gets done and what remains unfinished. How desirable is the car? Is there sentimental value at play? Will I enjoy driving the end result? Sometimes, even with two of those three boxes checked, a project is simply too much to wrap your head around, or pillage your bank account for. This 1974 Porsche 930 is a desirable specimen, known for being the first turbocharged 911 ever sold – but as you can see, it is a major undertaking to put this sunroof-delete coupe back on the road, and the seller has put it up for grabs here on craigslist with an asking price of $13,250.
You don’t have to be a Porsche fan to know that the 930, also known affectionately as the “widowmaker,” is a sought-after collectible. Even with the missing engine and gearbox, I guarantee you there is a Porsche specialist out there that is currently running the numbers on this car right now to see how much pain will be involved in sourcing a correct drivetrain and fixing the potential bodywork woes. However, there are some obstacles to clear in addition to restoring the mechanical bits, which includes a missing title and some rust issues that apparently weren’t resolved with the exposed primer on the rear fenders.
The seller claims to have bought this turbo roller as a track car project, which does make an awful lot of sense. With no paper trail and the difficulty associated with finding a correct 930 engine and transmission, throwing a built late-model engine and gearbox in here and not touching the cosmetics is the path of least resistance. But given how 930s have traditionally held their values very well and the supply only grows smaller by the day, I have to wonder if it’s entirely fair to write this car off as a track rat. The interior at least looks fairly complete, and it does come with seats and a steering wheel. Plus, as a sunroof-delete car, it has to be even rarer than the standard-issue 930.
As an added bonus, the dashboard isn’t cracked! There are many paths to take with this 930, and the seller notes due to lack of time and too many other projects, he can’t embark on any of them. The 930 sports a few different shades of paint, so to bring this one back to factory specs will require restorations of both the cosmetic and mechanical sort. The 930 is a desirable car to many Porsche enthusiasts, and a rewarding drive when in capable hands. If you were to take on this 930, which way would you go – a time-consuming restoration that may be worth a fair amount of money on the other side, or a wicked track car that can be put to good use in the short term?
Seems like a bargain, even though it’s probably not a real 930. The 930 went into production in 1975. I’d like to see the chassis data plate. If this IS a real 930 then it should be gone in no time at that price.
Toss a Subaru in it and buy a title…
Put a hemi in it.
Decent price for a tribute if the rust isn’t too bad. A very impressive looking car.
A first gen 930 would not be my choice for a track car. Friend had one. Took me around Laguna Seca on a track day. He was able to hustle it around and was impressive. When I tried it I swear it didn’t have a throttle it was a light switch. I had ridden TZ700s around that track that were smoother. Sweat was pouring off me after a single lap.
My hat is off to the ones who raced these.
No engine or transmission these things have been LS swapped so much they actually make a kit for it. Got me thinking my cousin has that Hellcat charger in his barn that he flipped. I may have to send him the link and see if he wants to start another project
I worked for Race car driver Hurley Haywood’s Grandmother’s estate. He would spend the summer racing season in Illinois back in the 70’s. He had a 1976 Black 930 Turbo and told me to take it to the local Porsche dealer for service! It was the thrill of a lifetime as I was only 17 years old!
Wow, I remember watching him one time with the car all out of shape and he still looked smooth and in control. What was he like in person?
He was a great guy, very articulate. When he needed to fly out O’hare, he would drive his Porsche and I would drive it back! He did not like traffic jams and would drive like he was at the track. Very, very fast. I felt at ease because his reflexes were razor quick!
Posted 4 days ago, nobody has jumped on it.
Can we get a VIN #??
Just guess he means “looks like turbo”, not “is a turbo”.
:-(
I don’t think there’s any such thing as a 74 930. As Jim said, what is the VIN?
The ’74s are not the galvanize dipped cars so a through rust check should be first on the list to look closely at. Could be a good buy to make a track car. They can be built to take away the dreaded Turbo handling.
how do you contact the owner I do not see any information on that. sorry if I missed it
Charles, go to the Craig’s List ad, and in the top left corner it says reply.