Offered for sale is a well-preserved and extensively documented 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo 3.3, finished in its original special-order Platinum Metallic over a Cognac leather interior.
Delivered new in the United States in 1978, this 930 has remained highly original in specification and is accompanied by a substantial history file documenting its life from new. All former owners are known by name. The documentation includes the original 1978 window sticker, Porsche factory certificate (birth certificate), original books and manuals, service and inspection invoices, keys and a comprehensive collection of mileage records.
The car is matching numbers, including its original engine and gearbox.
Originality and condition
The car remains highly original in specification, retaining its original interior, dashboard, carpets, trim and period radio, as well as its original mechanical configuration.
A period Momo/Porsche sports steering wheel is currently fitted and accompanies the car together with its original factory steering wheel, allowing the car to be returned to its original presentation at any time.
The only non-original mechanical component is the Dansk rear silencer. This has been internally modified to reduce part of the silencing effect, giving the Turbo a slightly sharper and more purposeful exhaust note. An original-specification silencer can of course be fitted if preferred.
Much of the bodywork appears to retain its original factory paint, while paint-depth measurements and accompanying notes indicate that selected areas have received paint and/or clearcoat during the car’s life. A detailed paint-depth measurement sheet is included in the history file. The car has not been restored and presents as a well-preserved example with the expected evidence of careful use over time. The exterior rubber seals remain supple and are in good condition, without notable drying or deterioration.
Original factory specification
The original 1978 window sticker and accompanying factory documentation confirm the specification, including:
- Special-order Platinum Metallic exterior with Cognac leather interior
- Limited-slip differential
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Electric sliding sunroof
- Air conditioning
- Electric windows
- 8- and 9-inch Fuchs wheels
- Electric antenna
Platinum Metallic with Cognac leather is an unusual and attractive period colour combination.
Documented provenance
The history of this 930 can be traced back to its original delivery in Michigan, USA. The car was supplied through Porsche/Audi Imports and delivered by Porsche dealer Traverse Motors Inc. in Traverse City, Michigan. Its first recorded owner purchased the car in August 1978.
From there, the ownership history is documented through successive owners in the United States and later Germany, before the car came to the Netherlands. The names of the former owners are known and the file contains invoices and inspection records showing the mileage throughout its life.
The first inspection invoice dates from 22 August 1978 at just 692 miles. Further invoices record the mileage over the following decades and provide a useful chronological record of the car’s use.
In 2011, when the car moved to Germany, the speedometer was professionally converted from miles to kilometres at a documented 27,589 miles. The original 150-mph VDO speedometer has been retained and accompanies the car. A dated and signed confirmation from the German workshop that carried out the conversion records that the original speedometer was removed on 9 June 2011 at 27,589 miles and replaced by a kilometre speedometer reading 1 km. The subsequent kilometre readings therefore need to be read together with the documented conversion of approximately 44,400 km.
The car has now covered approximately 55,000 km in total from new, with the mileage extensively documented through invoices, inspection records and the documented 2011 conversion from miles to kilometres.
Porsche Classic inspection & recent maintenance
Immediately prior to the purchase in March 2024, Porsche Classic Center Gelderland (the Netherlands) accompanied the current owner to Germany and carried out a full day pre-purchase inspection and analysis of the car. The inspection recorded the overall condition as very good and specifically confirmed that the engine number and gearbox number are matching. It also noted the extensive historical documentation accompanying the car.
Following the purchase, all points identified in the Porsche Classic Center Gelderland inspection report were taken over and addressed. The subsequent specialist work included a major service and preventative maintenance, preventative replacement of the hydraulic chain tensioners, engine servicing, replacement of brake hoses and brake fluid, repair of the heating controls, attention to the fuel and ignition systems, replacement of two fuel-pump relays, transmission-fluid replacement and servicing of the air-conditioning system.
The car was subsequently professionally detailed and protected with a high-quality ceramic coating.
Documentation
The history file is a significant part of this car. Included are the original 1978 Porsche/Audi window sticker showing the car’s factory specification and suggested retail pricing; a Porsche factory certificate (‘birth certificate’) confirming its original specification; the original Porsche Warranty & Maintenance booklet, Owner’s Manual and document wallet; original keys; period Porsche and Blaupunkt documentation; historic invoices and inspection records; historic photographs; mileage documentation; the original 150-mph VDO speedometer retained after the documented 2011 conversion; the dated and signed workshop confirmation of that conversion at 27,589 miles; Porsche Classic Center inspection documentation; paint-depth measurements; and invoices for recent specialist maintenance. An independent German valuation report dated 14 April 2016 is also present in the file, recording a market value at that time of EUR 180,000.
Also included is an original fitted Porsche 911 Turbo car cover, complete with Porsche crest and 911 Turbo script.
Also accompanying the car is an original Porsche factory Workshop Manual for the Turbo, Edition 1976 (US Order No. WKD 481 321), preserved in very good condition.
The combination of the original speedometer, invoices, inspection records and conversion documentation provides a clear record supporting the car’s recorded mileage.
Key details
- 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo 3.3
- Matching-numbers engine and gearbox
- Special-order / PTS Platinum Metallic
- Original Cognac leather interior
- Approximately 55,000 km from new – extensively documented
- Complete known ownership history
- Original 1978 sales invoice and original Porsche/Audi window sticker
- Porsche factory certificate (birth certificate)
- Extensive invoice and mileage history
- Full pre-purchase inspection and analysis by Porsche Classic Center Gelderland; all identified points subsequently addressed
- Much of the bodywork appears to retain original factory paint; paint-depth documentation included
- Highly original specification
- Original factory steering wheel included
- Period Momo/Porsche sports steering wheel included
- Dansk rear silencer – the only non-original mechanical component
- Historic photographs and period Porsche/Blaupunkt documentation included
- Original 150-mph VDO speedometer retained, with dated and signed 2011 workshop confirmation of the conversion at 27,589 miles
- Original Porsche factory Turbo Workshop Manual, Edition 1976 (WKD 481 321)
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