To be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sotheby’s Amelia Island event, March 12, 2016.Estimate:
$225,000 - $275,000 US

Type 930. 282 bhp, 3,164 cc SOHC air-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with a single turbocharger and Bosch electronic fuel injection, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear independent suspension, and four-wheel ventilated disc brakes. Wheelbase: 89.4 in.


One of 591 factory Slant Nose Turbo Cabriolets built for the US in 1988
Numbers-matching example; less than 9,000 miles from new
Documented, three-owner history
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity

There weren’t many ways to improve the stunning look of the 911 Super Carrera, but when one of Porsche’s wealthy private customers and racing sponsors asked the Sonderwische (Special Wishes) department to create a unique road car that looked like the world-beating Type 935 racer, the company was happy to oblige. That first extreme example generated a swarm of requests from customers who also wanted their own “935 for the street.”

Soon, the company was producing a small series of 911 Turbo coupes and cabriolets that bore a close resemblance to the aerodynamic 935, with special new louvered steel front fenders lowered to hood level and fitted with retractable headlamps. The rocker panels were boxed and extended to meet the widened rear quarter panels, which themselves contained new brake cooling vents with attractive side strakes and additional oil cooling with an electric fan. Wider wheels and tires were fitted at both ends, and these cars were optioned with many desirable upgrades. Completing the cosmetic package was a large racing-style rear wing.

Only 44 cars were converted in 1985 and another 52 in 1986. By 1987, Porsche had recognized the profits available in the conversions and created Option Packages M505/506. Another 87 examples were built that year. An eventual total of 678 Flachbau (Flat Nose, or Slant Nose) Turbo coupes and cabriolets were built by Porsche. Option M505, for US-market cars, was priced at $29,559 above and beyond the $85,000 base cost of the car!

Along with its powerful 3.2-liter Type M930/68 turbocharged engine and four-speed transmission, this 1988 Slant Nose Turbo Cabriolet was lavishly equipped with a limited-slip differential, a power top, air conditioning, a tinted windshield, electric windows, central locking, heated and electric multi-adjustable seats, rear seat belts, an alarm system, integrated fog lights in the front valance, headlamp washers, a Blaupunkt Reno stereo system, a pair of electrically heated and adjustable outside mirrors, and a heavy-duty battery. There is optional velour carpeting in the front trunk, and the wide Fuchs alloy wheels have silver anodized rims with color-coordinated spokes, hand-painted Porsche crests on their center caps, and locking nuts. Finished in special-order Silver Metallic (980) with a Marine Blue partial leather interior and complementary dark blue canvas top and tonneau cover, this Turbo cabriolet has had just three owners from new.

Now showing a mere 8,962 miles since delivery, this car has scarcely been broken in. It was delivered March 20, 1980, by Dorsey Horton Porsche-Audi in Columbia, South Carolina, to Dennis Higginbotham of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. After passing through a second Florida owner, it was acquired by the consignor less than three years ago and underwent a major service in July 2013 to ensure that all systems were in order. There is a correct and unused tool roll, a collapsible spare tire, a jack, and an air compressor. Supplied with all its original paperwork, including window sticker and owner’s manuals, spare keys, and a factory-issued Certificate of Authenticity, this might be the finest low-mileage Turbo cabriolet available.

With the added exclusivity of Porsche’s Slant Nose option, a discerning Porsche collector could scarcely do better than to add this magnificent sports car to their stable.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/.