Toujours pour Diego,

1989 Porsche 911 ‘Flat Nose’ Turbo Cabriolet

Registration no. J 10280. Chassis no. WPOEB0935K5070341. Sold for £43,300

Group 4 homologation rules, which required 400 road cars to be built, spurred the development of 'Project 930' - the 911 Turbo. In production from April 1975, the Turbo married a KKK turbocharger to the 3.0-litre RSR engine, in road trim a combination that delivered 260bhp for a top speed of 153mph. The Turbo's characteristic flared wheelarches and 'tea tray' rear spoiler had already been seen on the Carrera model, while the interior was the most luxurious yet seen in a 911, featuring leather upholstery, air conditioning and electric windows. The engine was enlarged to 3.3 litres for 1978, gaining an inter-cooler in the process; power increased to 300bhp and the top speed of what was the fastest-accelerating road car of its day went up to 160mph.
Porsche's first take on a 911 convertible had been the Targa model of 1965, a 'halfway-house' design chosen because of fears that a genuine soft top would not meet US Federal safety regulations, but by 1981 the company felt able to proceed with the genuine article. Introduced in normally aspirated 3.0-litre form in 1982, the 911 Cabriolet lost little, if any, rigidity with the deletion of the Targa roll-over bar, while its speedily raised/lowered hood featured a detachable, zip-fastened rear window. The Cabriolet continued when the 'Carrera' name was applied to all 911 models, co-incidentally with the introduction of the 3.2-litre engine, from 1984, but it was not until 1987 that the ultimate Turbo/Cabriolet combination became an option.
The 911 Turbo’s raison d'être - the racing 935 - had pioneered what would come to be known as the ‘slant’ or ‘flat’ nose, and this new look was soon in demand from 911 customers. Kremer Racing offered a conversion and this service as later taken up by the factory’s own Customer Department to special order from 1981, becoming an official option only in 1986. The front wings were steel, incorporating pop-up headlamps, while the rear had extra cooling vents and different sills. Along with the body modifications came an even more luxurious interior and an up-rated engine.
This left-hand drive, Jersey-registered, ‘Flat Nose’ Turbo Cabriolet enjoyed only one owner from new until 27th June 2007 and has covered approximately 8,900 miles from new. Finished in Guards Red with full black leather interior, this ultimate 911 soft-top is presented in excellent condition in every respect and offered with Jersey logbook and a quantity of expired MoTs. The vendor advises us that the car is ‘tax paid’ in Monaco.

Bonhams. Porsche & Lotus Motor Cars and Related Automobilia, 26 Jul 2008. Silverstone Classic