1989 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo G50

Starting its production run in 1975 and lasting until 1989, the 930 Turbo married a KKK turbocharger with the 3-litre Carrera RSR engine used in road-trim. This powerful combination delivered an impressive 260bhp, allowing the Turbo to reach a top speed of 155mph. In 1978, the engine was enlarged to 3.3-litres and an intercooler was added, resulting in a power increase to 300bhp and a top speed exceeding 160mph. It already held the title of the fastest accelerating road car of its time, and the enhancements made it even more remarkable.

By 1989, the Porsche 911 930 Turbo had matured into one of the most formidable performance cars of the 1980s, garnering an ever-present cult following through performance, reputation and looks. Originally launched in 1975 as a homologation special, the 930 had undergone a gradual process of evolution, gaining displacement, refinement and by the end of its production run, a 5-speed G50 gearbox that transformed the driving experience. The final year cars built for the 1989 model year are thus considered the ultimate iteration of the original 911 Turbo prior to the limited run of LE models. They marry turbocharged performance with a more usable and tailored gearbox and rightfully remain among the most sought after Porsches in today’s market.

Finished in the subtly aggressive and seldom seen colour of Slate Grey Metallic (Q909) over a matching Slate Grey leather interior, this UK-supplied, right-hand drive C16 car was built on 8th February 1989 and first registered on 3rd March the same year by main agent Merlin Cambria Ltd. Crucially, it is a matching numbers example, with engine and gearbox confirmed by the accompanying Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, which also lists a particularly well optioned and desirable specification.

This 930 Turbo was ordered new with the following factory options - recoil bumpers, heated seats, limited-slip differential, Blaupunkt Toronto radio cassette, rear seat belts, sports seats with electric height adjustment, amplifier system, top-tinted windscreen, sunroof and a luggage compartment trimmed in black velour carpet. Every one of these options remains in place today with the exception of the original radio, which comes with the car but has been replaced with a more modern unit for usability.

The car presents in phenomenal condition throughout and this example is far more than just cosmetically impressive. It is supported by an extraordinary history file that documents a lifetime of diligent maintenance and careful ownership, comprising a staggering £110,000 in expenditure, the majority of which was invested between 2015 and 2022. The file includes all old MOT Certificates, all the extensive service and maintenance invoices, its original leather-bound book pack containing the handbooks and a well stamped service book up to 71,000 miles, a solid indicator of how painstakingly this car has been maintained from new.

The list of specialists who have worked on this car reads like a 'who's who' of UK Porsche excellence. Porsche Central Operations, Ninemeister, Tuthill Porsche, and GTR Motorsport have all been entrusted with major work in recent years, attesting to the calibre of care this example has received.

In 2018 and 2019, the car benefited from a full engine rebuild by Ninemeister at a cost of £19,420, following on from an earlier invoice of £9,128 in 2018 for investigative mechanical work relating to an oil leak and a £12,986 spend in 2017 on general maintenance, also with Ninemeister, setting the tone for an extraordinary period of investment.

A major service by Porsche was carried out in 2021 at a cost of £5,633 and in 2022, the car underwent a cosmetic refresh by GTR Motorsport. This work, totalling £6,816 and taking over 77 hours, involved removing minor corrosion to the inner front wings and a partial respray of the front wings, left door, side sills, sill trims, wheel nuts and both bumpers completed to a factory-correct standard. The result is a car that today presents with incredible paintwork and sharp detailing throughout, looking every inch the concours-level example it truly is. On the topic of concours, the car was a participant at Salon Privé 2016, where it reportedly won its class in Class C, a fitting accolade.

Inside, the presentation is equally as impressive. The factory-optioned sports seats retain their electric height adjustment, the cabin plastics are clean and free from fading and recent enhancements have been sensitively integrated. In 2020, new speakers and a subwoofer were installed discreetly at a cost of £863, significantly improving sound quality without compromising the car's originality. As mentioned, the original Blaupunkt Toronto radio is also included with the car, allowing a return to factory correct presentation if desired.

With a reputation for performance that could still surprise supercars well into the 1990s, the 930 Turbo was famously not a car for the inexperienced. The early 4-speed cars, while thrilling, could be unforgiving in the wrong hands. The final year 5-speed G50 gearbox however improved the drivability of the car enormously enabling more flexibility in gear selection, less lag through better power delivery and an altogether more enjoyable road or track experience. As such, the 1989 G50 cars represent the holy grail of the 930 lineage, a compelling blend of Turbo aesthetics with its most modernised, user-friendly driving experience.

With interest in air-cooled 911s continuing to rise and the best examples becoming harder to source, this car stands out not only for its specification and condition but for the extraordinary lengths to which it has been maintained.

Incredibly well specified from new, remaining visually stunning, mechanically impeccable and wonderfully documented, it simply ticks every box. The car is in phenomenal condition throughout. The paintwork is incredible, the interior is lovely, the history file reads like a novel and it drives as well as expected. As a C16, matching numbers, final year G50 example with documented ownership, concours credentials, normal mileage and a virtually unmatched history file, this particular 930 Turbo is unquestionably one of, if not the finest on the market today. A fabulous opportunity for any discerning collector or enthusiast whether Porsche centric or not, this car is truly special.