One to Buy: Venetian Blue Metallic 1988 Porsche 911 3.3 Turbo Flachbau (930)
Although Porsche was initially reluctant to offer a 935-style Flachbau front end on the 911 Turbo, the brisk conversion business being done outside official corridors convinced them to make such a machine available through the Sonderwunsch department towards the end of 1980.
Five years later, the Flachbau became an officially recognised option and it continued to be a lucrative sideline until production of the 930-based 911 Turbo came to an end in mid 1989.
The most popular Flachbau markets were the United States and UK. Demand surged following the October 1987 Black Monday stock market crash after which speculators began to search out alternative asset classes. Towards the end of production, the Flachbau was selling at a significant premium over list as demand massively outstripped supply.
Set to go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Miami sale on May 3rd is a Flachbau Coupe configured in an unusual colour scheme for the period: Venetian Blue Metallic with Silver Grey leather upholstery and Grey carpet.
In addition to the extremely expensive M505 Flachbau conversion (which included deep running board-style side skirts and rear fender intakes), chassis WP0JB0935JS050247 was further optioned with a limited-slip differential, an electric sunroof and Blaupunkt Reno SQR46 audio system.
Supplied to its first owner via Camelback Porsche of Phoenix, Arizona, the car is today showing 36,555 miles. It remains in excellent original condition and comes complete with the all-important original book pack.
Reprinted below is Bonhams’ description:
VIN WP0JB0935JS050247
One of just 148 'M505' equipped North American cars for 1988
Striking and rare original shade of Venetian Blue
Optioned with electric sunroof, special leather trim, lumbar seats, limited-slip diff
Accompanied by the window sticker showing the $28,422 '930 S' option
Iconic 1980s styling inspired by the legendary factory 935 racers
Presented in excellent condition, with just over 36,555 miles shown at time of cataloguing
Delivered new to Camelback Porsche of Phoenix, Arizona
THE PORSCHE 911 TURBO 'FLACHBAU'
In the 1970s, international FIA Group 4 homologation rules – a wildly popular new formula for silhouette-type racing cars – required 400 road cars to be built, spurring the development of Porsche's "Project 930"—the original 911 Turbo.
In October of 1974, Ernst Fuhrmann officially unveiled the first Turbo production model, marrying a KKK turbocharger to a completely reworked 3.0-liter Carrera engine, resulting in a road car that delivered 260bhp and a top speed of 153mph.
The Turbo's characteristic flared wheel arches and "tea tray" rear spoiler were carried over from the 3.0 Carrera RS model, while the interior was luxuriously appointed to suit the car's grand touring nature.
In 1978, the engine was enlarged to 3.3 liters to improve torque, gaining an inter-cooler in the process. Power increased to 300bhp (265bhp for US models) and the top speed of what was the fastest-accelerating road car of its day went up to 160mph.
The 911 Turbo's raison d'être—the Group 4 racing 935—inspired the Flachbau also known as the slant nose or flat nose. It was originally a one-off special request for a wealthy client, but soon others wanted the Le Mans-proven look. The famous semi-works team Kremer Racing offered a conversion service for owners, which was then taken up by the factory's own Special Wishes (Sunderwunschen) Department in 1981.
The race-inspired slant nose body work would not become an official Porsche option until 1986, as option code M505. The option included new steel front fenders incorporating cooling vents and pop-up headlamps (early examples had them in the air dam). Larger boxed side skirts stretched back to reveal extra cooling intakes ahead of the rear wheels.
Along with the body modifications came an even more luxurious full leather interior. Of course, none of this came cheap, as the SE option could cost nearly half the price of a base 930 Turbo.
Naturally, only a select few customers opted for the Slant Nose option, making factory example among the most coveted 911 variants of the period.
THE CAR OFFERED
Looking particularly sharp in this striking and rare factory shade of Venetian Blue Metallic, this 1988 Porsche 930 Turbo 'Slant Nose' is one of just 148 Turbos equipped with the M505 option reportedly sold in the USA that year. An outstanding example, it has just 36,555 miles recorded at the time of cataloguing and is an overall well-preserved car that has been cherished by enthusiastic owners.
The original window sticker, included in the sale, shows this car was sold new by Camelback Porsche of Phoenix, Arizona. With a base price of $66,025 in 1988, the first owner selected over $30,000 in options.
Extras include the Venetian Blue Metallic paint, a special leather-trimmed interior in silver grey with dark grey carpets, electric sunroof, limited slip differential, lumbar-support front seats, and of course, the all-important M505 930 S Slant Nose Package – which added over $28k to the bottom line.
This car has reportedly spent much of its life in dry climates of Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California, and records dating back to 2015 show regular dealer servicing. The vendor also reports it has had a recent engine-out service addressing oil lines, various gaskets and seals, and the fitment of a new clutch.
The car remains in largely standard condition, with the only obvious update being a later model Blaupunkt AM/FM/CD player replacing the original Blaupunkt Reno SQR46 unit. Accompanying items include the factory owner's manual and service book, and the original tire inflation pump in the plastic case.
The 930 Slant Nose is oft-imitated to varying degrees of success, but genuine, US-delivered cars such as this are quite rare. This lovely example, boasting sound history and a distinctive, highly attractive livery, is undoubtedly one to consider for any serious Porsche collector looking to add the legendary Slant Nose to their stable.