1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

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$156,800 USD | Sold

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  • A superb single-owner California car
  • Showing fewer than 59,000 miles at cataloguing time
  • Attractive triple-black color scheme
  • Accompanied by original purchase documents and service invoices from new
  • Likely one of the best investment cars of the modern era
Addendum
Please note that due to California emissions, this vehicle must be sold to a dealer or out-of-state resident.

The 930 generation of the Porsche 911 is among the most iconic and recognizable of the marque, helped, no doubt, by its defining role in 1980s popular culture. The Turbo Cabriolet model featured in period MTV music videos and an episode of Miami Vice. What could be more Eighties?

Much of the Porsche 911’s development stemmed from the factory’s racing program. The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile Group 4 homologation rules that required 400 road cars spurred the development of “Project 930,” now known as the legendary 911/930 Turbo. In production from April 1975, the Turbo married a turbocharger to the 3.0-liter Carrera RSR flat-six engine, a combination that delivered a substantial increase in power and top speed over the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera. In 1978, the Turbo’s engine was enlarged to 3.3 liters, gaining even more power and an intercooler.

Unfortunately, Porsche was forced to withdraw the 930 from North America in 1979, as it did not meet the latest exhaust emissions standards. But following the development of new electronic engine management, the Turbo returned to the United States in 1984.

Although the Turbo’s flared wheel arches and “whale tail” spoiler had already been seen on the base Carrera, the interior was much more luxurious, featuring leather upholstery, air conditioning, and electric windows. The 911 Turbo Cabriolet, with its power-operated soft-top, was introduced for the 1987 model year.

This superb, single-owner, US-market example was ordered through Vasek Polek Porsche in California to be picked up at the factory in Stuttgart through the Tourist Delivery program. It completed production on 30 March 1987 finished in an attractive triple-black color scheme that is perfectly suited to the car’s iconic design. Factory-installed features included a power-operated top, a limited-slip differential, steering wheel with raised hub, a black tonneau cover, a Blaupunkt Reno stereo, and an alarm.

Kept mostly in California and for a time in Oregon, the car was meticulously maintained by its sole owner, as confirmed by service invoices dating back to 1987. Mileage logs on its Carfax report indicate that the bulk of the fewer than 59,000 miles displayed on the odometer at cataloguing time were accrued by 1997.

In 2014, the front seats were refurbished, and the soft-top was replaced, while an engine-out service included replacing the rear main seal, clutch, and flywheel, and recommissioning the ignition, turbo, and throttle systems, among various other work. In 2018, the tires and brake rotors and pads were replaced. In 2020, the air conditioner was converted to R134A refrigerant, the gas tank was cleaned and recoated, localized rust was repaired on the underbody, a new catalytic converter was installed, and the smog system’s air pump was replaced.

Superbly maintained with fewer than 59,000 miles and now freshly detailed, this beautifully presented classic is likely one of the best investment cars of the modern era, thanks to persistent demand for its unmistakable styling and exhilarating driving experience.