Vehicle Details
- Year: 1979
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 930 Turbo
- VIN: 9309700532
- Mileage Shown: 55,207mi (TMU)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Guards Red
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Downers Grove, IL 60515
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0037937
Finished in Guards Red over a Black leather interior, this 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo is one of 820 examples produced for markets outside of the United States (RoW) during the model year. It left the factory without a sunroof and features optional Sport Seats, slim European-spec bumperettes, Euro side marker lights, and a 300 HP turbocharged flat-six engine paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. It had been sitting in storage for some time before the seller’s acquisition and is now being offered for auction out of Illinois as the basis for a custom build or full restoration, accompanied by a comprehensive pre-purchase inspection.
One of the most iconic sports cars of its era, the 930 is characterized by its wide fenders and tea tray rear spoiler. This non-sunroof “slicktop” example is finished in the traditional Porsche color of Guards Red and rides on factory 16” Fuchs wheels dressed in Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02 tires from 2022. As a RoW car, it features side marker lights on the front fenders as well as slimmer bumperettes than its U.S.-spec counterpart. Other equipment includes a front chin spoiler, front fog lights, headlamp washers, chrome headlight bezels, black stone guards on the rear fenders, Porsche-branded brake calipers, and a dual-tipped exhaust outlet. The seller indicates there are no signs of accident damage, although the car appears to have been previously refinished and some cosmetic damage is present on the driver’s front fender and passenger-side door. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a full pre-purchase inspection report.
Inside, this 930 features a black leather interior with optional Sport Seats and a leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel. Accessories include power windows, a heater, air conditioning, a sound system, a rear window defroster, and an aftermarket stereo. The seller notes the ignition cylinder is loose and requires wiggling of the key to get the vehicle started, the shifter exhibits a large amount of play, the side mirror assemblies are loose, and the tachometer and speedometer needles bounce while driving. The seller adds that the A/C compressor was retrofitted with a newer unit and the system blows cool, but not ice cold.
A turbocharged and intercooled 3.3-liter flat-six engine delivers up to 300 HP to the rear wheels by way of a 4-speed manual gearbox. The seller indicates some oil leaks are present, the brake pads measure low, the brake rotors show signs of cracking and wear, and the catalytic converter has been replaced with an aftermarket exhaust. The car is also said to bog down under initial acceleration and runs very rich while sputtering. The seller recommends the next owner perform a full service upon their purchase. Engine leak down and compression test results are provided below:
Compression (PSI)
- 1- 110
- 2- 130
- 3- 130
- 4- 110
- 5- 130
- 6- 125
Leak Down
- 1- 18% (Rings and Exhaust)
- 2- 4%
- 3- 4%
- 4- 30% (Exhaust)
- 5- 4%
- 6- 5%
This sale will include a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “Forge your automotive legacy by inquiring about pricing and scheduling a viewing. Contact us for any additional information required. The 1979 Porsche 930 911 Turbo invites you to breathe life into its storied past, shaping a future uniquely tailored to your automotive aspirations.”
Auction Results
- Sold for: $95,000
- Auction End: Dec 22, 2023 07:32:30PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 24
Comments (48)
Sold for $95,000
Bid in the amount of $95,000
Bid in the amount of $90,000
Bid in the amount of $87,930
Bid in the amount of $85,000
Bid in the amount of $83,000
Bid in the amount of $81,000
Bid in the amount of $80,000
Bid in the amount of $79,000
Bid in the amount of $72,000
Bid in the amount of $70,000
Bid in the amount of $66,000
Bid in the amount of $65,000
Bid in the amount of $62,000
This seems like such a great base to build from. Not for the faint of heart or light of wallet, but with the right attention, this can be a perfect and drivable car to be appreciated for decades to come.
I can't justify this at the moment and I already have my holy grail 930, but I would have loved to restore this to its former/future glory.
Good luck to buyer and seller. I hope to see this back on the road soon.
Bid in the amount of $60,000
Bid in the amount of $57,000
A few additional notes on the engine leakdown and compression numbers. Under 20% leakdown is not considered an issue on an air cooled engine. Cylinder #4 has 30%. We believe that a valve is not "Bent" nor a ring is broken. Typically, (and we build a lot of air cooled engines at our store), when a valve is bent there is 80% or better, same with a broken ring.
Many things can lead to 30% leakage. Valve adjustment's that are too tight is the #1 cause, followed up with carbon buildup on the valve seat. Those will get these types of numbers and are easily fixed.
Also on the rings, sitting without being run is another reason to have a touch of blow by on the leak test. This vehicle does not blow blue smoke on startup, which is why we do not think there is a major ring issue. Just needs a service and to be driven.
Of course we cannot say this with 100% certainty until we dive into it. But this is based on years of experience with these motors!
Excited to get this 930 to its new owner!
Bid in the amount of $55,930
Bid in the amount of $41,000
Bid in the amount of $37,930
Final 24 hours on this 930! Lots of requests online as well as offline regarding additional paperwork as well as the condition of this car.
Zero rust on this one. Has had paint of course. It really is the perfect candidate to use as a driver! We do not believe that the engine needs a rebuild. The fuel system for sure does though.
Our transparency as a brand at Olsen Motorsport is something that we believe in very much. Nothing is hidden, and there are no suprises. Bid with confidence and don’t let this one get away!
@The_emyrean_._ it all depends on the level of perfection you are trying to achieve. Nothing wrong with making it road worthy with the basics and using it as a driver. We maintain plenty of those at our stores! Then the work is minimal (which is relative of course).
To be fully transparent and after discussion with the seller I think that it's fair to state that the work required to bring this turbo back will be significant. Seller stated an engine build probably isn't required but mechanical work to get it roadworthy will be considerable. This doesn't include needed body work. Out of respect for the seller and to preserve the integrity of the auction I won't state the rough quoted price for the mechanical work alone but will agree that if the work on this car is to be done its probably in the best place it can be to be completed at Olsen Motorsports.
Looks like its going to need a Major Overhaul in all Departments . Good Luck
@JayTonyCox happy to discuss this offline as there are a lot of variables! Give us a shout at one of our stores and our team will walk you through it!
Bid in the amount of $37,000
@olsenmotorsportsinc what would be suggested budget range if you take on the project for buyer for replacing worn interior components, weatherstrip, and engine rebuild/ reseal.
Bid in the amount of $35,000
@stevefixer it’s got great bones!
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $21,000
@olsenmotorsportsinc I appreciate that. . No worries, boost is a small part in the big picture of this turbo's needs.
Thanks for the quick reply and straight forward listing of the car's condition.
@Scalemotorsport agreed!
@stevefixer we didn’t boost the car on the test drive. Had been sitting for years. Did not want a lean condition risk without making sure we had proper fuel delivery.
never saw the boost gauge move ? could not tell if it was boosting in the drive video. any comments to that ? thanks !
This is definitely going to need attention to get it up to where it should/needs to be, BUT, someone is going to get a real gem at a fabulous price! GLWTA This will be a fun one to watch
@olsenmotorsportsinc I reconnected with my childhood friend. This is not their car. They still have it. What a trip down memory lane though. GLWS, I wish I hadn't already blown my holiday budget...
@The_emyrean_._ We would be happy to take this project on for you! Finishing up a ‘78 now and we can slide this in next
@delanodp Will come right out with some torch work and you will not need to break out the tools! Love Steve’s tools though, we have his entire catalogue in both our locations. The BEST!
Thanks for the good, honest presentation. This one is going to need some serious work but is a cool offering. Engine reseal/rebuild definitely in the near future.
Pic 198 is gonna need the Stomsky Racing exhaust stud removal kit. :-|
@olsenmotorsportsinc I will reach out to my friend and his father, who owned the 930 I am thinking of, and try to connect the dots.
Bid in the amount of $20,000
@Begodo Awesome story! No known history of import date on this vehicle. It has been in the lower Midwest area as of late. But we have no paperwork to back up port of entry stateside.
Is any of the ownership or import history on this car known? I may be able to fill in a bunch of the history if this is the car that I think it may be. If it is, it was imported in the 80s and kept in Queens, NY for many years by a master mechanic. He may not have titled it, because I remember him using Transporter and Dealer plates on many of his cars. Again, if it is, then I grew up riding in the back of that car and it inspired my lifelong passion for the 930 Turbo, the sound of the turbo spooling up and the inevitable rush to follow.
Bid in the amount of $777