Porsche 930: turbocharging the likes of which the world had never seen

The Porsche Club of America pays homage to what may be the most beautiful supercar in history.

The Porsche 930 made history. It was the first production car to make practical use of a turbocharger. First of all, let me answer the obvious question: "What's a 930?" Well, when you hear "930," it's a reference to the factory "type" number given to production vehicles.

For instance, when the original 911 was introduced in the sixties, it was called a "911", but often referred to as "type 901". In this case, "type 930" designates a 911 with a turbocharged engine. So you might see a turbocharged Porsche referred to as 930 or 911 Turbo--these designations mean the exact same thing.

For the 1976 production year, a new model, called the "Turbo Carrera" was available (type 930, but officially titled "Turbo Carrera"). The car was a 911, but a very special one. It was turbocharged. This new model had the 3.0 liter engine, modified suspension, fender flares, and the most well-known trademark of all, the whaletail. It developed 234 hp and 246 lb-ft torque. It could go from 0-60 in 6.7 seconds, and cruise to 156 mph. The car was fast, powerful, and extremely tail-happy.

However, the 1976/77 Turbo Carrera was simply an intro to the "big" 930, of the 1978 model. In 2 years of further development, the car was upgraded into a 3.3 liter, intercooled, turbocharged monster that could go from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds, and allow the speedo needle to soar past the 165 mark. The 930 was now just titled "Turbo" on the rear deck lid. Sadly, 1979 was the last year for the 930 in America. The 930 was discontinued in the US due mainly to emissions requirements. There are grey market 930's running all over the states, though.

...Each year, we thought that the 911 Turbo was at its peak. Not yet so, because for 1993, the engine size was increased to 3.6 liters, and more power, more speed, and better handling was set forth. It now had 360 horsepower and 383 lb-ft torque. It had dual exhaust, better brakes (how???), and totally redone engine components. The 911 Turbo 3.6 (below), as it was now called, showed the world how much Porsche could improve on something already thought to be perfect.

The Turbo 3.6 led the way for 2 years, and was discontinued by 1995. At Geneva in 1995, Porsche introduced the 1996 911 Turbo. It had the updated 993 body style with flared fenders and a new, melted-look whaletail. The engine was of 993 variety, but this time with twin turbochargers...