1986 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo SE 'Flatnose'

Anyone who followed the "World Championship of Makes" (essentially an international championship for long-distance Sports Car racing), will remember their surprise at the shape of the new 935 when it first appeared at Mugello in March 1976. Subsequently, these 'Flachbau' or 'Flatnose' 935s and 936s were to prove very competitive in the hands of drivers such as Ickx, Mass, and Stommelen and during the next two seasons managed four victories in eight World Championship races and a triumph at Le Mans in each year.

However, Porsche began to worry that all these victories by the works Flatnose cars might alienate the vast number of private clients who were investing their own money in conventionally shaped competition 911s, and decided to restrict their efforts for 1978 to an entry at Le Mans. The distinctive look of the 'Flachbau' (literally translated as Low Build) obviously retained its appeal in the minds of their road car customers and from 1985 until early 1989, UK Porsche 930 buyers could specify their car in this style to special order.

As confirmed by a letter from Porsche Cars GB Ltd, this 930 Turbo is a genuine right-hand drive, factory flatnose built in October 1986 under the 'Sonderwunchprogramm' (Special Wishes Programme). From the 948 cars produced between 1983 and 1989, this is one of the 49 right-hand drive examples manufactured.

This Porsche was ordered via a dealer in Switzerland in 1986, bound for a client in South Africa. He changed his mind and wanted to buy a Lamborghini and, as it happened, the person who became the first owner had just taken delivery of a Lamborghini to the correct specification in the UK; the dealer in Switzerland contacted him and asked if it was for sale, it was, so he took the Lamborghini to Switzerland and fell in love with the Porsche sitting in the showroom, which at the time was unregistered. An exchange was arranged, the Porsche was shipped to the UK and the Lamborghini went to South Africa.

The V5C registration documents four owners but, in reality, it's a one previous owner car from new, as it was registered to the first owner, then his two companies and then to his son, Edward. Despite this, it has stayed in his possession all of its life and is offered with its original registration number D294 ALR. The car was maintained in its early life by Swinford Motors Porsche dealer (Stourbridge), then by Wildcat Racing (Birmingham) during the mid-90s and, subsequently, by the Porscheshop between 2000 and 2015. The vendor has had confirmation from these companies and is trying to obtain copies of invoices.

The car's original matching numbers engine has covered just 69,700 miles. Mechanically, the car is in very good condition and recently over £10,000 has been spent with a Porsche specialist who has replaced the camshafts, the oil feed tubes, fitted a new ignition system and carried out a service. Finished in Guards Red with a Red piped Cream leather interior and fitted with the correct colour-coded Fuchs wheels, this 930 Turbo is supplied with an MoT test certificate, a copy of the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and the letter from Porsche GB confirming that this is an original 'flatnose' model. This very special car is a blue-chip icon of its era and represents an exciting opportunity for any lover of the Porsche marque.