Advice needed on '76 930

danmatar · danmatar's Garage

I ran across a 1976 930 today. One owner car. This guy has a huge file on this car. I haven't had a chance to go thru the whole stack, but it looks like service work has been done religiously. The car has 58,000 miles. Garaged it's whole life. The interior is spotless. Not a crack to be seen. Seats look like they've hardly been sat in. I'm not sure I'm totally in love with the color...Metallic green/beige interior. But it's very attention grabbing. My main concern is with the turbo and the engine longevity. Am I looking at a rebuild shortly? The car started right up and idled very smoothly, no smoke. I haven't arranged a test drive yet, probably in a day or so. I need a little advice on this car! BTW, we haven't talked price yet..any idea on the value of these cars?

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

Take a look thru the archives @ rennlist.com I looked at one of these last year, but it wasn't nearly as nice as yours. Turbo Carreras are kind of a funky duck, having the appeal of a turbo, but not having the rest of the bits that make a good turbo. I've seen really nice ones in this area in the mid-high teens.

A PPI is very important on a turbo. @58k miles, it may be in need of some serious work, as these engines had issues back in the day.

Also check out http://turbocarrera.com/ - not much info, but it's nice to know you'll have a site just for your car.

danmatar · danmatar's Garage

thanks for the info..all comments are welcome!

danmatar · danmatar's Garage

you guys holding out on me?

danmatar · danmatar's Garage

well, I decided against the '76 930. $19,000 would have brought it home..but in the end I decided I didn't like it enough. It drove like a real brute. Lots of kick from the turbo, which was fun..but it's not what I'm reallly looking for. I'd rather spend the money on a newer model, and I really wasn't in love with that GREEN color. I have to say, I am surprised I didn't get more opinions on this car...I did some digging and found most of the info I was looking for anyway.

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

I am not an expert on 1976 930 turbos, but with only 59,000 miles and pristine interior and nice exterior for $19,000. sounds like a good deal to me. Your going to have trouble finding a car in that condition - in your favorite color. So unless you really "hate" metallic green I wouldn't let the color kill the deal. Hard to find a 26 year old car that's been driven only 2,200 miles a year.

danmatar · danmatar's Garage

well, color was only a small consideration really. All things considered, I feel I can find a newer model, and one that will be a better daily driver for about the same amount, if not less. True, it may not be a turbo, but like I said, I really wasn't looking for a turbo model, especially a 1976 vintage.

zotman72 · 08-06-2002, 07:55 PM

I have a buddy that has one of these cars. He loves it but it is tempermental beast. It gets hot easy, as it only has a hoop front cooler, so he does not bring it to the track. The color is goofy too, a light maroon. He replaced the turbo recently at 65K miles. It is not much of a driver car as the gearing is high and off boost it is a dog. Autoweek had an article on them about a year ago, only 500 or so of these brutes came in the first year.
Love those flares!

WydRyd · 08-06-2002, 09:33 PM

Any reason why you aren't considering the next generation 930 (3.3L, factory intercooled, more HP & torque)?

Just curious...

930Chas · 930Chas's Garage

That seems like a really good buy on that car, especially with all the paperwork and meticulous care. Correct me if I am wrong, but there weren't many 76 turbos built. They are very light weight, and while they have crappy brakes are a blast to drive. If you want a turbo, and have the money to support repairs, I would not pass that up. You don't see too many 76s for sale. That is the original 930, where it all began in the US. However, if you don't like the way the turbo drives by a n/a 911 because while the early 930s had a very very noticeable on/off power band, the later 930s had a very noticeable on/off power band. You either like it or you don't.

danmatar · danmatar's Garage

Well, to be honest, I really can't afford to spend more than 20 grand. So the later turbo models are out of the question. Yes, the on/off power band was kind of a turn off..a blast when your boosting, but like was mentioned, a dog down low. I'm no stranger to forced induction(having owned many turbo vehicles and a supercharged Mustang), but this didn't feel like something I'd like to drive day in, day out. I drove an '85 targa a few months back, and it felt much better to me. The car is located in Boone, NC 28607. If anyone is interested, I'll post the phone number..it's currently on consignment at a small high-end car lot.

dickster · 09:15 AM

just read a write up on it last night, comparing it to the latest turbo (or gt3 can't quite remember). gt2 i just checked.

the guy loved it.

personally, i can't see the point because its "only" got 260hp. carrera only has 30 less (euro).

it sounds cheap though. in uk probably worth £20k plus.