Amelia Island 2019
1978 Porsche 911 Turbo
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$123,200 USD | Sold
| Amelia Island, Florida
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- Exceedingly rare sunroof-delete example
- Highly desirable triple-black color combination
- Numbers-matching drivetrain; 33,125 original miles
- Porsche Production Specifications certificate
Porsche’s delectable Type 930 took the automotive world by storm when it was introduced in 1974 as a 1975 model. By 1978, the 911 Turbo had become a bit more civilized and powerful than its earlier brethren. Its 3.0-liter engine had grown to 3.3 liters and acquired an air-to-air intercooler housed beneath a larger rear whale tail. Power had grown to a solid 265 hp and an impressive 291 foot-pounds of torque feeding through a four-speed, limited-slip transaxle.
Porsche’s first supercar was intended to out-perform every other sports car in the world and did so with aplomb. Turbos were amazingly quick, even when loaded with amenities; though leaving some of those luxuries behind served to reduce curb weight and improve performance. For those more sport-mind enthusiasts, eliminating the luxury of the sunroof greatly enhanced said performance. Without the sunroof and related mechanisms, the body was stiffer overall and thus would flex less during hard turning at speed. The lack thereof also provided additional room below the headliner, especially for those wearing a helmet on the track.
This handsome “triple-black” 911 Turbo is quite unusual, as its first owner ordered it through a Boulder, Colorado, dealership without an electric sunroof. The car was factory-equipped with Sport Seats and Pirelli high-performance tires, and it was trimmed with “Turbo” decals on its quarter-panels. The consignor notes that the car has no known racing history, which is unusual for such ‘slick top’ examples.
In 1997, the car was sold to William Ross, another Boulder enthusiast, who enjoyed it for three years before selling it to a Michael Franson in 2000. In 2010, this menacing-looking 911 Turbo was purchased by Tom Degorter and three years ago it was acquired by the consignor. Now displaying a mere 33,125 miles, which is believed to be original, the car shows no evidence of previous damage. The paint remains almost all original; only the rear bumper has been repainted. All the mechanical components are described as having been overhauled in 2011 while under Mr. Degorter’s custody, and all systems are said to operate properly. The tires are dated 2013, and the car has been recently serviced.
While “triple-black” Turbos are among the most sought-after of their kind, those without the optional sunroof are exceptionally rare, no matter the color. This handsome example is supplied with a Porsche Production Specifications certificate, correct spare wheel and compressor, jack, tools, owner’s manual, and extensive documentation covering the last 20 years of its life.