A by-product of Porsche’s use of turbocharging in motorsport, which the manufacturer had been developing since the 1960s, the 930-generation Porsche 911 Turbo introduced boosted power to the road-going and production-spec 911 for the first time. Produced between 1975 and 1989, and instantly becoming an icon of its era, early Turbos featured a 3.0-litre Carrera RSR engine with a KKK turbocharger for significant power gains; this was upped to 3.3-litres in 1978, also adding an intercooler for extra performance gains. The Turbo is identifiable by its flared wheel arches and flamboyant spoiler designs. The distinctive Targa and Cabriolet models joined the 911 Turbo stable in 1987, retaining all of the model’s innate character and charm, while offering roof-down, wind-in-the-hair motoring.

This example is one of the last 930-generation cars to roll off the Zuffenhausen production line, made in November 1988. It left the factory equipped with the much sought-after later specification “G50” five-speed manual transmission. The Porsche was delivered new to the United States, fitted with the emissions-beating 256 horsepower engine, and finished in its current configuration of Guards Red over a Linen leather interior with a contrasting Black leatherette dashboard. It was configured from the factory with a shorter gearstick, a raised steering wheel hub, a Blaupunkt Reno SQR 46 radio, a locking differential, and an additional amplifier.

In current ownership since March 2016, this 911 Turbo Cabriolet was acquired from Dubai, then owned by Mohammed Ahmed Ben Sulaymen, the former rally driver and president of the FIA, to join The Carrera Collection. The Porsche is accompanied by its service book and selected manuals, tonneau cover, its Porsche build sheet, tool roll, and a space-saver spare wheel. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer read a mere 387 miles.

Discerningly specified from new and presented in impressive condition throughout, this is a handsome example of one of the most desirable air-cooled 911 models from the final production year of the coveted “G Series” cars.