Thirty-something with a 930
You just have to dare to buy a Porsche 911 Turbo online based on five photos. Jan Dootjes did it and certainly did not come home from a rude awakening. A week later he set sail for Wuppertal to see the virtually acquired property in real life for the first time. An honest, tough 911 was waiting for him. But with a fair amount of work.
Not so long ago, the prices of the Porsche 911 really went through the roof and at classic fairs you were overwhelmed by the supply until it was boring. The market has now cooled down somewhat, but the 911 still appeals to the imagination and is a long-cherished dream for many car enthusiasts. A dream that can almost only be realized with a big bag of money. Especially if it concerns a special version, such as a very early one or, for example, a 930, the type name of the first generation 911 Turbo. For Jan, 30 years old, it is not even his first 911. “My previous one was a 2.7 from 1974. That is not a unique or much sought-after 911, but it is an affordable way to drive a classic 911. I improved and refurbished it so that I could resell it at a nice profit after I bought the Turbo.”
That purchase was quite exciting because Jan only had those five photos and a little background information. “But the provider has a very good reputation and has described the car well,” he says. “What is missing from this copy is the documentation with which the history can be traced. That makes a 911 less desirable for the purist and not interesting for a restorer, because the value potential is less.”
In addition, it is an American and has stood still for about five to ten years. What Jan mainly saw and sees is an honest, original, undamaged and rust-free Porsche with normal signs of wear. “It’s still not a bargain, let’s be clear. This purchase is only possible because I can do all the necessary renovation work myself.”
Total engine overhaul
The fact that Jan is a perfectionist and has two skilled right hands is clearly visible in his 911, even before we open the winged engine hatch. His first feeling did not deceive him, the car radiates originality and quality. It is not difficult to guess that most time, money and care went to the six-cylinder boxer. “The first test drive, shortly after the purchase, turned out to be a deception. After five kilometers I stopped because the CDI gave up the ghost. That’s the main ignition module. A new one is expensive, luckily I found a specialist who can repair this part. I quickly decided to take the engine out, the only way to do it. They had never been separated in all those 34 years.”
American 930 converted back to European 911 Turbo
Because it is an American 930, it has an extra emission system. This includes valves that blow air into the intake tract. It later turned out that particles of it ended up in the turbo. In short, the engine and everything that goes with it has been taken apart down to the last nuts and bolts. “I know every part and have innovated a lot. I was able to buy a brand new, original turbo through social media. The Porsche community is a lot of fun, especially the tinkerers. Partly thanks to the experiences of others, I was able to do everything myself.” The engine and the intake and exhaust system have now been converted back to European specifications and should therefore be good for the original 300 hp. Then comes the exciting moment of starting for the first time after the overhaul. Jan: “It ran perfectly straight away. I have now driven three thousand kilometers with it. Problem-free, without leakage or significant oil consumption. Every ride is a party, you understand that. At 240 km/h it becomes a bit light in the nose and we won’t talk about consumption.”
Perfection under the whale’s tail
We are standing at the rear of the 911, with the magical yet subtle type designation ‘turbo’ on the engine hatch. And then of course the enormous grand piano, which is definitely not there for show. Partly due to the large rubber strip, the whale tail generates the much-needed air for the hungry boxer and of course extra downforce at high speed. Then the valve opens. The engine compartment is a sight to behold and perhaps a mechanic’s nightmare. Fully built to the last centimetre. We see that great care has been taken in detail on this engine. Not over-restored, but wonderfully original and fresh. And to think that Jan doesn’t even have a lift bridge! We see the same degree of perfection in the interior. “The seats and all upholstery have been removed for a thorough cleaning, every button has gone through my hands. Unfortunately, the original blue steering wheel is missing, although this alternative does not look out of place. Funnily enough, I found a dentist appointment card under the seat with the name of the first owner on it. After some searching on the internet, I found that person and am now considering contacting him to get some background information. Nice options on my car are the rear wiper and the sliding roof. I also disassembled and overhauled the wiper motor. I like working on old cars. For example, I regularly tinker with other people’s classics and that helps fund my hobby. As long as it is analog and mechanical.” When Jan drives away at the end of the afternoon in his stunningly beautiful 911, we watch him with healthy envy and enjoy the characteristic rasp of the 3.3-liter boxer.
The ‘widow maker’
Nowadays it is difficult to imagine an engine without a turbo. In 1974, when the 911 Turbo (model code 930) made its debut, this was certainly not the case. Porsche is developing a turbo engine for motorsport, which will not be used due to rule changes. With the technology already in-house, Porsche decides to develop a super-fast version of the 911 Carrera RS 3.0. The front and rear fenders will be slightly wider than those of the RS to provide space for the wide tires. The chassis and braking system undergo adjustments for the increased power. The three-liter engine has a KKK turbo and delivers 260 hp. In 1978 the 930 received a 3.3-liter boxer with 300 hp and an intercooler. The trickiest thing about the 930 is its explosive character. The turbo is an on or off type, which means that the full power and torque comes in quite abruptly. In a long, wet bend with the throttle on, this can have disastrous consequences and gives the ultra-fast Porsche the sinister nickname ‘widowmaker’, although this applies to more classic sports cars. If you don’t think it’s fast enough, you can choose the WLS (Werks Leistungs Steigerung) option and the 3.3 delivers an additional 30 hp. Only in the last year, 1989, did the 930 have a five-speed gearbox and Porsche made minor improvements.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl