Classic · 1981–1989

Porsche 911 Turbo Flachbau (930)

The Porsche factory's flat-nose 935-inspired 911 Turbo — built in tiny numbers by the Sonderwunsch programme.

CoupeTargaCabriolet
Car Collector International Editorial
Porsche 911 Turbo Flachbau (930)
Overview

Why this car matters

Built by Porsche's Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) programme from approximately 1981 and offered as an official catalogue option from 1986, the Flachbau ('flat-nose' or 'slant-nose') 911 Turbo replaced the 930's signature headlamps with pop-up units in a 935-inspired flat front. Construction details and production numbers vary by source; widely cited estimates are 948 cars across coupe, Targa and Cabriolet bodystyles between 1981 and 1989.

The Flachbau is now the most sought-after factory derivative of the 930 generation and the bridge between the road car and the 935 racing programme.

Factory Sonderwunsch derivative built in genuine catalogue numbers; the most visually distinctive 930 and the closest road-car link to the 935.

Variants

Range and production

VariantYearsProductionNotes
Flachbau Coupe1981–1989Most numerous body style.
Flachbau Targa1987–1989Open Targa derivative.
Flachbau Cabriolet1987–1989Open derivative.
Buyer's Guide

What to look for

Provenance and originality

Start with identity, paperwork and originality. For the Porsche 911 Turbo Flachbau (930), the strongest cars have continuous ownership history, matching numbers where applicable, original books and tools, factory build documentation and evidence of work by manufacturer-approved specialists. Porsche Sonderwunsch / Werk 1 build documentation, certificate of authenticity, original colour and unmodified specification.

Mechanical inspection priorities

Mechanically a standard 3.3-litre 930 Turbo; turbo health, intercooler condition and cooling system integrity are decisive. A proper pre-purchase inspection includes cold-start behaviour, ECU diagnostics and fault-code history (where applicable), leak-down or compression testing, underbody photography, suspension and chassis inspection, brake condition and a long enough road test to expose heat-related faults. Deferred maintenance on a car of this class is almost always more expensive than buying a better-sorted example.

Body, paint and accident history

Use a paint-depth gauge, lift access and a specialist familiar with the model's factory panel gaps and finish standards. Collector value is dramatically affected by structural repairs, refinished panels, poor paintwork and missing factory trim or option content. Documented cosmetic refresh is acceptable; concealed accident or fire damage must be priced severely.

Specification strategy

Factory Sonderwunsch cars with documentation lead. Period dealer or aftermarket conversions trade significantly below. Specification, colour, options and limited-build variants move values significantly. Buy the best-documented example in the most desirable specification you can justify, rather than a tired example of a rarer derivative that will need years of corrective work.

Pricing

What to pay

Good Flachbau
USD$250,000 – $340,000
GBP£200,000 – £270,000
EUR€230,000 – €310,000
Documented factory Flachbau coupes with continuous history.
Excellent Flachbau
USD$380,000 – $540,000
GBP£305,000 – £430,000
EUR€350,000 – €495,000
Low-mileage, original-paint, Porsche Classic certified cars.
Concours Targa / Cabriolet
USD$500,000 – $700,000+
GBP£400,000 – £560,000+
EUR€460,000 – €640,000+
Open factory Flachbau cars with documented Sonderwunsch build.

Regional ranges authored independently — each reflects its local market, not an FX conversion

Ownership

Living with it

Typical mileage
1,000–4,000 miles typical for collector use
Service interval
12 months; mileage interval varies by model and use
Annual running cost
$5,000 – $18,000
Fuel economy
15–28 mpg depending on use
Insurance
Use an agreed-value collector or specialist supercar policy with limited mileage, secure storage, documented photography and an annual value review. Premiums vary sharply by age, storage location, declared value and driver profile.

Maintenance planning

Budget annually even if the car is used sparingly. Fluids age, tyres and date-coded rubber components must be replaced regardless of mileage, and stored cars need exercise. A documented maintenance rhythm protects both reliability and resale value.

Parts and specialist access

Use a 930-experienced Porsche specialist for inspection; Porsche Classic factory programme supports certification. Before purchase, confirm parts availability for model-specific bodywork, electronics, gearbox and engine components. A discounted car waiting on unobtainable parts or a factory service slot is rarely a saving in collector ownership.

Common Problems

Known issues by system

Identity

Factory vs aftermarket conversion

CriticalMajor value gap for non-factory cars
Symptoms — No Sonderwunsch documentation, unusual chassis stamping, retrofitted bodywork.
Inspection — Porsche Classic Certificate of Authenticity.
Turbo / intercooler

Turbocharger bearing wear

Major$5,000 – $11,000
Symptoms — Smoke under boost, oil consumption, soft boost build.
Inspection — Compressor wheel inspection, oil analysis, leak-down test.
Body

Corrosion under flat-nose bodywork

Major$8,000 – $35,000
Symptoms — Bubbling around flat-nose seams, paint-depth anomalies.
Inspection — Specialist 930 body inspection.
Valuation

Current value bands by region

Concours
USD
$520,000
GBP
£415,000
EUR
€475,000
+4% 12-mo
Excellent
USD
$420,000
GBP
£335,000
EUR
€385,000
+2% 12-mo
Good
USD
$295,000
GBP
£235,000
EUR
€270,000
+1% 12-mo
Fair
USD
$210,000
GBP
£170,000
EUR
€195,000
0% 12-mo

Each region quoted in its local currency — independent market readings, not FX conversions

Flachbau values have firmed materially as the air-cooled Turbo market has matured. Porsche Classic certification has become the decisive market signal; undocumented or converted cars trade at a meaningful discount.

Auctions

Recent results

DateAuctionCarMileageResult
2025-08-15
Gooding & Co.
Pebble Beach
1989 911 Turbo Flachbau Coupe
18,000 mi
$489,500
Sold
2024-12-04
RM Sotheby's
Miami
1988 911 Turbo Flachbau Targa
22,000 mi
$561,000
Sold
Investment

Long-term outlook

Strong HoldHorizon: 5–10 years

Closed-production factory Sonderwunsch 930 derivative. Documented factory cars with Porsche Classic certification should continue to lead.

Recommended

The trusted network

Specialists

  • Porsche factory-approved specialist
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    UK / Europe
    Porsche 911 Turbo Flachbau (930) inspections, major service planning and originality reviews.
  • Model-focused independent
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    United States
    Pre-purchase inspections, scheduled service and market-correct preparation for the 911 Turbo Flachbau (930).
  • Concours preparation studio
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    International
    Paint correction, PPF, detailing, preservation and sale preparation for premium collector cars.
  • Hagerty
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    USA / UK / EU
    Agreed-value collector and supercar insurance with global recognition.
  • Lockton Performance
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    UK / EU
    Specialist agreed-value cover for modern hypercars and limited-production supercars.

Storage

  • Windrush Car Storage
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    Cotswolds, UK
    Climate-controlled storage and collection management for high-value classic and supercars.
  • Autovault
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    Bicester, UK
    Secure climate-controlled storage at Bicester Heritage with inspection programmes.
  • Classic Car Club Manhattan
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    New York, NY
    Secure urban storage for collector and modern performance cars.

Transport

  • CARS UK
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    UK & Europe
    Enclosed event, concours and collection transport across Europe.
  • Reliable Carriers
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    USA (national)
    Enclosed coast-to-coast transport for premium supercars and classics.
  • FERRLOG
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    Italy / Europe
    Air-ride enclosed transport for Italian and European collector cars.

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