1979 Porsche 911 Turbo

1979 Porsche 911 Turbo
Sold for $253,000 Including Commission
RM Auction, Amelia Island, Florida 2015
Chassis no. 9309800608
Engine no. 6891203
Gearbox no. 791404
Type 930. 300 bhp, 3,299 cc air-cooled horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine with a single turbocharger and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear independent suspension, and four-wheel power disc brakes. Wheelbase: 89.4 in.
Purchased new by noted racing driver Al Holbert
Finished in its rare original colors of Chiffron Yellow over Brown
Just 20,000 miles from new
In the company’s earliest days, Porsche was known for producing lightweight cars with exceptional handling characteristics. This formula kept Porsche very competitive on race tracks and in showrooms around the world until 1976, when the 911 Turbo was introduced.
Porsche had experimented with turbocharging its racing cars, most notably with the 917/30, but the Type 930 Turbo was the first road going Porsche to utilize forced induction. The 930 Turbo retained the classic looks of the 911 that enthusiasts had come to know and love, yet it was defined by its unique “whale tail” spoiler, which helped to keep the rear tires planted on the pavement at high speeds. The 911 Turbo boasted a top speed of just over 155 mph, making it one of the fastest cars of its day. Car and Driver magazine recorded a 0–60 sprint in just 4.9 seconds, which is a time that could easily beat most cars produced today.
The 911 Turbo offered here was purchased new by an individual who was intimately connected with Porsches of this era, Al Holbert. With three 1st place finishes with Rothmans at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1983, 1986, and 1987, five IMSA GT Championships, and experience in both NASCAR and Can Am, Holbert was unquestionably one of the finest drivers to pilot a Porsche in competition. While the 911 Turbo had a reputation of being difficult to control at the limit, Holbert was indeed well-qualified to get behind the wheel.
This car was originally titled to Bob Holbert’s Porsche dealership in Philadelphia. It was one of only eight hundred six examples produced in 1979, and it was well-optioned when delivered. The Porsche was finished in special-order Chiffon Yellow over a full brown leather interior, and it was fitted with a limited slip differential, an electric sunroof, a passenger-side exterior mirror, air conditioning, and power windows.
This 911 Turbo has been very well preserved and maintained by its current owner. Following a complete concours-level engine rebuild and a repaint in its original color by one of the Southeast’s premier restoration facilities, the car has only accumulated test miles to ensure that it remained in excellent mechanical condition. Included with the car is an extensive file of documentation from both the car’s current owner and its most recent prior owner, as well as a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, photos of the engine rebuild and repaint, a full set of tools, and a spare tire.
As first-generation 911 Turbos begin to gain popularity with collectors, well-maintained examples have become increasingly difficult to find. This 911 Turbo has only been driven 20,000 miles throughout its life, and it has remained in wonderful condition as a result of careful preservation. The provenance of Holbert’s ownership only adds to the pedigree of this 911 Turbo, and it will surely not disappoint its next owner.
Robert Myrick Photography