Switching its focus prototypes to GT-class racing during the early 1970s, Porsche successfully redirected its considerable development efforts into the 911, which had already enjoyed significant success in virtually all forms of motorsport. While the words “iconic” or “legendary” may certainly be overused today in reference to various sports cars, it is truly impossible to overstate the massive impact made by Porsche’s brilliant 930 Turbo. Originally conceived to meet FIA Group 4 (GT) and Group 5 (World Championship) homologation requirements for sports car racing, development continued unabated when the rules changed. The new car was repositioned as a fully-equipped road model to lead the 911 series and compete directly with Porsche’s Italian rivals Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

Ernst Fuhrmann led development, adapting the technology developed for the all-conquering 917/30 Can-Am car to the 3.0-liter, flat-six the Carrera RS 3.0, with a KKK (Kühnle, Kopp & Kausch) turbocharger at its heart, plus suspension refinements, larger brakes and a strengthened four-speed manual gearbox. A functional whale-tail rear spoiler increased cooling airflow to the rear-mounted engine and provided aerodynamic downforce. Wider rear wheels with upgraded tires resided within flared wheel wells, increasing grip and stability at speed.

Designated Type 930 but commonly known simply as the Turbo, the new vehicle was released in the spring of 1975, with exports to the USA commencing in 1976. In 1978, power output reached 300-hp with a displacement increase to 3.3-liters and the addition of an air-to-air intercooler, plus myriad detail improvements. Porsche’s careful and relentless development program also ensured that the 930 was a sound base for racing vehicles, and led to the highly successful 934 and 935 racing cars which dominated all the great endurance races for years. On the street, the 930 proved fast but demanding; however, skilled drivers quickly learned how to drive the 930 properly, and to drive it well beyond the limits of most other sports cars.

This sinister-appearing all-black, final-year 1989 930 Turbo Cabriolet retains its original paint finish and remains truly exceptional in every respect. Having travelled fewer than 26,000 miles since new, it is equipped with the highly desirable 1989-only G50 five-speed manual gearbox and offered complete with a recent 30,000-mile service. It is also quite rare as one of only 600 examples produced for worldwide delivery. Simply put, it is the ultimate classic G-Series Porsche and every serious drivers enduring object of desire, presented in its most desirable open-air form.