Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3
Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3. 1977 - 1989.
I remember well the first 911 Turbo
that I saw up close. My father was a motorcycle dealer and one of his friends turned up outside in a bright green metallic 'brand new' Turbo. I must have been 14 years old which makes it about
1978. I was envious. It was a lasting impression. And sure as hell beat my dad's Lotus Europa.
Photo is Porsche 911 or 930 Turbo, 1978 in love it or hate it green - just like the one I saw in 1978 new. I loved it and still do.
Porsche developed Turbo charging technology on their race cars and in 1974 offered a Turbo 911 to the public. Originally with a 3.0 litre motor and 260bhp. At the time this was a hugely powerful motorcar.
But what most
people remember is the looks. With huge flared steel fenders, over wider Fuch wheels, drilled discs and the big 'tea tray' spoiler stuck out on the engine cover, this car says 'Porsche 911'
loud and clear.
picture is a 1987 911 Turbo that I once owned, this was a great car.
The 911 Turbo was extensively modified in comparison to a 'regular' 911 and carried the type number 930. The original plan was to build 500 cars in order to homologate it as a production car for the benefit of Porsche racing activities. But the 911 Turbo sold very well, so production continued.
The 3.0 litre was replaced by the 3.3 for the 1978 model year and left the factory with 300bhp and 917 brakes. In 1978 it was said to be the fastest production car tested by Motor magazine.
I have driven many 930 Turbo, but never tried a 3.0 version. From what is written elsewhere I understand that the turbo was fierce, quite some lag and power coming in with a big hit, on top of which, for additional excitement the brakes were said to be 'marginal'. The later cars with the 3.3 motor are favoured.
For 1986, the 911 Turbo was available as a
Targa for the first time, the engine was given various modifications for the '86 model year with a newly mapped Motronic engine management.
picture right is a 911 turbo convertible from 1988.
Also you could take the option of an uprated version known as a Turbo SE or 930S. For the 1987 model you could order a Turbo Convertible too. And for the 1989 model year a new 'G50 type' five sped gearbox (from the 3.2 Carrera) replaced the 4 speed unit.
Slant nose or flat nose. This was
available by special order by Porsche from 1981 but became an official option only in 1986.
The front fenders were steel with pop up headlamps, while the rear had extra cooling slots and different treatment to the sills. (maybe that's where the idea of body kits came from). Along with the body modifications came a luxury interior and an uprated engine (to 330Hp).
Buying a 911 Carrera 3.2, Turbo Body, Supersport or Turbo 3.3, download
my Porsche 911 Buyers guide now.