This uniquely customized Porsche 911 featuring one-off livery and modifications by Galpin Auto Sports was reportedly in rough shape when it arrived at Porsche Santa Clarita in September 2022. As one of just 148 North American-market 1988 Turbo Coupes factory-equipped with the M505 Flachbau, or “Flat-Nose,” option package, it was quite a rare find, primed for refurbishment.

The Turbo Coupe originally completed production on 13 October 1987, finished in Indian Red with a black interior and equipped with the rare M505 package, along with power front seats, power sunroof, a limited-slip differential, and an alarm system. Its history prior to the 2000s is not known, but the Porsche appears to have endured 15 years of harsh winters in Michigan prior to its move west, where it would undergo an extreme makeover to what might appropriately be called a “1980s maximalism” aesthetic.

Built as Porsche Santa Clarita’s entry in the 2023 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge put on by Porsche Cars North America, Galpin Auto Sports—of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” fame—comprehensively refurbished the car, reportedly sourcing an exceedingly rare GT2-style rear spoiler and bumpers from a factory Flachbau X83 body kit, originally offered exclusively on the Japanese-market type-964 Turbo S. Only 10 examples were sold in Japan with the X83 option, which featured a type-964 GT2-style rear wing and bumpers combined with a 930-generation “Flat-Nose” treatment with pop-up headlights and straked rear fender vents—exactly the look this Turbo Coupe emulates. The exterior was refinished in Ruby Star, an iconic Porsche factory color from the early nineties, formerly called Rubystone Red. A broad racing stripe spanning the hood, roof, and rear deck lid was inspired by a design Porsche used in some of its 75th-anniversary liveries and marketing materials.

The interior was redone in turquoise leather with Ruby Star contrast stitching. Seat inserts feature Porsche’s retro “Pasha” fabric, whose distinctive black-and-white pattern mimics a waving checkered flag. The instrument binnacle was finished in Ruby Star and features white-faced VDO Porsche gauges. The dash incorporates a climate control system and stereo with a Porsche Classic head unit and Blaupunkt audio components.

Upgrades to the 3.3-liter flat-six engine reportedly include increasing the displacement to 3.5 liters, adding individual throttle bodies, and installing a custom-fabricated oil cooling system. Output is said to be around 850 horsepower. The suspension was reportedly modified with type-997 GT3 RS components, Elephant Racing Adjustable Spring Perches at the rear, and Motion Control Suspension coil-over dampers. Period-correct HRE basket-weave wheels with centers finished in turquoise to match the interior further enhance the “totally rad” period package, both dynamically and visually.

The completed Turbo Coupe debuted at Porsche Car North America’s Werks Reunion during Monterey Car Week in August 2023 and won both the People’s Choice and Kid’s Choice awards at the event. Showing just 27 miles on the odometer at cataloguing time, it is now ready for its next owner to continue wowing onlookers at any number of Porsche gatherings and other enthusiast events.