Porsche began to experiment with turbocharging its 911 six-cylinder engine in 1972, but in order to race its new Type 934 in Group 4, it was required to build at least 400 examples within a two-year period that could be sold through dealers and legally registered for street use. Thus the Type 930 was born, the first of which appeared in 1976. The new 930 Turbo soon established itself as the world’s fastest production car, and with its huge flared fenders and whale-tail rear deck spoiler, it became the dream car of countless enthusiasts.

For the discriminating enthusiast for whom a mere Porsche Turbo was not adequate in the late 1980s, option M505 beckoned on the dealer order sheet. This option brought the customer a Turbo coupe, Targa, or cabriolet with a steel “flat nose” (or slant-nose) conversion, providing a sleek new “935-like” look with lowered and louvered front fenders, flush headlamps, boxed rocker panels, and straked side cooling vents on the radically widened rear quarter panels. Altogether, it was an extreme and very muscular look. Porsche would build 600 Turbo cabriolets for the North American market for model year 1989, the K-series being the final iteration of that chassis and body before the arrival of the new 964-based Carrera 2 and 4. A small number of these were equipped with the M505 package due to its considerable extra cost.

The Turbo package itself included dramatically widened fenders, enclosing 16-inch-diameter Fuchs alloy wheels, 8 inches wide in front and 9 inches wide in the rear, shod with 225/50 and 245/45 tires, respectively. Luxuriously appointed with standard air conditioning, tinted glass, electric windows, and an entertainment system, its 282-horsepower engine could launch the Turbo to 60 miles an hour in less than five seconds and achieve more than 160 miles an hour. Turbos had impressive stopping power as well, with large power-assisted ventilated and cross-drilled disc brakes all around.

We are pleased to offer one of the most attractive 1989 “Flachbau” Turbo Cabriolets available. This beautiful example, benefiting from long-term ownership, was factory-equipped with a smooth-shifting G50 five-speed transaxle, 40-percent limited-slip differential, and a sports steering wheel atop a raised hub. Options documented on the original invoice, included with the sale, include a shorter shift lever, tonneau cover, power sport seats for both the driver and passenger, a pair of rear shelf speakers, and of course, option M505, the Flat Nose package.

The car was originally delivered to Ken MacDowell of Ohio on 21 January 1989 through the Crestmont Porsche dealership of North Olmsted, Ohio. Mr. MacDowell retained the car until his passing in 2010, and the car was acquired by the consignor. Included with the car are invoices from new throughout Mr. MacDowell’s ownership, documenting every service performed by an authorized Porsche dealer. Additionally, the original order form, deposit, and delivery invoices are included with the car, along with the original window sticker.

According to CARFAX, “This vehicle was listed as vehicle 2 out of 2 and the vehicle is listed by year, make, model” as being involved in an accident. No further information about the accident was reported, and CARFAX is unable to provide any further details other than the provided. A Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI) has recently been performed by an authorized Porsche dealer and is on file for review. The numerous invoices on file do not make any mention of accident repair, and a RM Sotheby’s specialist inspection could not find anything out of place.

With just over 9,300 miles on the odometer, extensive documentation and long-term ownership, and finished in Code 700 black with black leather trim, black carpets, and a black convertible top, this Turbo Cabriolet is an elegant yet menacing road machine.