When Porsche learned that new emissions regulations would disqualify the 911 Turbo, chassis code 930, from being sold in the United States, production nearly ceased. After more than a six-year hiatus and the development of a new electronic engine-management system to control exhaust emissions, Porsche brought the 911 Turbo back to the U.S. market.

During its hiatus, wealthy clients were clamoring for a street-legal version of the brilliant 935 Group 5 racecar to be built under Porsche’s Special Wishes Program (Sonderwunsch Programm), now called Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur. When their wish was eventually granted, the car featured a flat, aerodynamic nose with retractable headlights, widened and louvered front fenders, more muscular rear quarters with air intakes, extended and boxed rocker panels, an additional oil cooler, and a large rear spoiler, which housed an intercooler atop the engine lid.

After the 930 returned to the U.S. market in 1986, Porsche formalized the “flat-nose” design with option 505 for the U.S. market, and option 506 for the “Rest of the World,” as Porsche called it. In total, Porsche produced 76 M505 “flat-nose” 911 Turbo Cabriolets for North America in 1989. Of those, 50 were built for the US-market (including this car), 25 were built to state-of-California specification, and one was built for Canada.

The stunning “flat-nose” 911 Turbo Cabriolet presented here is a fabulous example of these unique machines. Minimally driven over its life, the car has been well-maintained by just three owners over its 33 years. As indicated by a copy of the original window sticker, chassis 70508 left the factory finished in the desirable triple-black color scheme: black exterior over a black leather interior, with a black fabric soft-top. The window sticker also shows the car was factory trimmed with a dark Rootwood dashboard, a near $4,000 option at the time. The option sticker located under the hood further confirms this being a factory M505 flat-nose body.

With a stunning $120,006 suggested retail price, the car was sold new by Delon Porsche in Salem, Oregon to its first owner, who would accrue just over 5,000 miles before selling it in 2007. The following owner would only add about 2,200 miles before selling it to the consignor in 2020.

Currently displaying under 8,000 miles, the cabriolet has seen little use with pampered maintenance during its life. It is accompanied by the original owner’s manual, service and warranty booklets with leather wallet, air compressor, jack, and tool roll. The service booklet testifies to the careful maintenance given to this car over its life. Recently, TT Competizioni of Redwood City, California serviced the car, changing all the fluids and installing new front struts, rear shocks, and Pirelli P Zero performance tires.

While all factory flat-nose Turbos are desirable, a triple-black, five-speed-equipped, sub-10,000-mile cabriolet certainly stands apart as particularly special, making this example a true find for the serious Porsche enthusiast.