1989 Porsche 911 Turbo 'Flat-Nose'
{{lr.item.text}}
$500,000 USD | Sold
{{bidding.lot.reserveStatusFormatted}}
- Displaying remarkably low mileage, just 895 miles at the time of cataloguing, and retaining numbers-matching engine
- One of 62 Turbo Coupes optioned with the M505 “Flat-Nose” in 1989 for the North American market
- Additionally fitted from the factory with a power sunroof, limited-slip differential, a Blaupunkt Reno stereo with an additional amplifier, and a shorter gearshift lever
A dream car for many since it first hit the road in 1975, Porsche’s first-generation 911 Turbo, known internally as the type 930, quickly established itself as a global performance benchmark. With huge, flared fenders and a “whale tail” rear spoiler, it certainly looked the part, all while being instantly recognizable as both a Porsche and a 911.
In 1982, Porsche racing sponsors requested that the German automaker’s Exclusive Manufaktur—sometimes called “Sonderwunsch,” or “Special Wishes”—program create a unique road car that looked like the world-beating type 935 racer. The resulting bodywork indeed bore a close resemblance to the aerodynamic 935, with louvered steel front fenders made flush with the hood and fitted with retractable headlamps. The rocker panels were boxed and extended to meet the widened rear quarter panels, which contained new brake-cooling vents with side strakes and an electric fan for additional oil cooling. Wider wheels and tires were fitted at both ends.
Within months, Porsche was overcome with customer requests for the 935-inspired “Flat-Nose” treatment. Unsurprisingly, these cars were typically ordered by only the wealthiest clientele, and with many additional factory upgrades. In 1987, Porsche finally added the North American Flat-Nose package, known as M505, to the factory catalogue, and 142 coupe examples were produced for the United States that model year. “No other automobile in the world resembles it. And few feel so good. Like all current 911s, the Slant Nose feels so taut as to give one the impression that the entire vehicle was machined from a single billet of steel,” wrote Car and Driver the year of its US debut.
According to Porsche 911 Turbo: Air-Cooled Years 1975–1988, the car offered here is one of 62 Turbo Coupes optioned with the M505 Flat-Nose—or “Flachbau”—package, powered by the type 930.68 engine, to be delivered new to North America for the 1989 model year. Moreover, it is one of only 42 US-delivery, non-California examples. Factory-finished in Grand Prix White over Velvet Red and Black partial leather interior, it was optioned with a power sunroof, limited-slip differential, a Blaupunkt Reno stereo with an additional amplifier, and a shorter gearshift lever. Like all 911 Turbos, this example has a full climate control system, headlamp washers, and other niceties. The centers of the Fuchs forged alloy wheels are painted to match the body color. This Porsche was originally delivered to Stoddard Imported Cars Inc. of Willoughby, Ohio, as shown on a bill of sale on file, and was eventually sold to the Dare to Dream Collection in 2013. It is accompanied by its warranty and maintenance book.
With just 895 miles showing on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, this incredibly well-preserved example is certainly one of the lowest-mileage Flat-Nose cars in existence and will be coveted by Porsche enthusiasts for decades to come.