1981 PORSCHE 911

Few cars define Porsche quite like the 930 Turbo. The combination of the wide bodywork, huge rear spoiler and turbocharged flat-six gave it a presence that the 911 had never really possessed before, and more than forty years later it remains one of the most recognisable shapes to leave Stuttgart.

This 1981 example is a genuine UK-market car, finished in arguably the most fitting colour for an early Turbo: Guards Red with a contrasting black leather interior.

It has covered 74,000 miles from new and retains the four-speed manual gearbox synonymous with the 930. Unlike the later generations of increasingly sophisticated 911 Turbos, these early cars are wonderfully straightforward – a turbocharged, air-cooled flat-six, manual gearbox and very little getting between the driver and the car.

The 930's character comes as much from the way it delivers its performance as the outright figures. At lower engine speeds it behaves much like an old 911, before the turbocharger comes properly on song and completely changes the nature of the car. It is an experience that became a defining feature of the early Turbo and one that modern performance cars simply don't replicate.

Visually, there is very little that needs explaining. The swollen rear arches, deep front spoiler and unmistakable rear wing transform the narrow-bodied 911 shape, while the Guards Red paintwork suits the period perfectly. Inside, things are considerably more restrained, with the simple black leather cabin retaining the familiar driving position and wonderfully clear instrumentation of an air-cooled 911.

Importantly, the car has also received recent Porsche main-dealer attention. In May 2026 it was serviced by Porsche Centre Brooklands, with the belts also replaced at the same time.

With 74,000 miles, UK provenance, the four-speed manual gearbox and a recent Porsche Centre service, this is a nicely specified example of one of Porsche's most important road cars. More importantly, it remains everything an early 930 should be: compact, mechanical, slightly intimidating and enormously characterful.

As with all of our vehicles, we have a digital folder available on request containing additional images, walkaround videos and further details of the car. The car can be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.