1983 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3-Litre Coupé
Registration no. Not UK registered
Chassis no. WPQZZZ93ZDS000846

A 'modern classic' if ever there was one, Porsche's long-running 911 sports car first appeared at the 1963 Frankfurt Show as the '901' but shortly after production proper commenced in 1964 had become the '911' following Peugeot's complaints about the use of '0' model numbers. The preceding Type 356's rear-engined layout was retained but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the bodyshell and dropped the 356's VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, Porsche's single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat six engine displaced 1,991cc and produced 130bhp; progressively enlarged and developed, it would eventually grow to more than 3.0 litres and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.

Much of the Porsche 911's development had resulted from the factory's racing programme and it was the then Group 4 homologation rules, which required 400 road cars to be built, which spurred the development of 'Project 930' - the legendary 911 Turbo. In production from April 1975, the Turbo married a KKK turbocharger to the 3.0-litre RSR engine, in road trim a combination that delivered 260bhp for a top speed of 155mph. But the Turbo wasn't just about top speed, it was also the best-equipped 911 and amazingly flexible - hence only four speeds in the gearbox - being capable of racing from a standstill to 100mph in 14 seconds.

The Turbo's characteristic flared wheelarches and 'tea tray' rear spoiler had already been seen on the Carrera model while the interior was the most luxurious yet seen in a 911, featuring leather upholstery, air conditioning and electric windows. The Turbo's engine was enlarged to 3.3 litres for 1978, gaining an inter-cooler in the process; power increased to 300bhp and the top speed of what was the fastest-accelerating road car of its day went up to 160mph. More refined than hitherto yet retaining its high performance edge, the Turbo sold in the thousands, becoming the definitive sports car of its age.

This particular 911 Turbo has had only two owners from new, the second of whom kept the car for 24 years, and has covered only some 13,000 kilometres since it left the factory more than 30 years ago. Currently registered in the Netherlands, the car retains its original red paint and black leather upholstery, and comes with all instruction books, tools and a history file of service/maintenance invoices.