What makes a 930 so special???

[mark houghton]

Originally Posted by ///Criss

I know I was being obvious Mark but some folks tend to comment rudely and i was hoping to qualify myself ahead of time is all. I didn't mean anything by it. I'm looking to hear people's thoughts on what it is for them and why.

Just my way of saying "welcome aboard"! Aren't too many rude folks reside here, though maybe a couple outspoken but that's ok. I call it passion, there's plenty of that to go around.

I'm with Jim, getting the urge to go for a spin...but it's damn near 9:00pm on New Years Eve with drunks and cops all over the place (not to mention a couple well placed Scotch's of my own). I think full boost is out of the question for tonight anyway.

Happy New Years everyone! Keep the pedal to the metal and the wheels upon the road.

[tomdeg]

Ha! I'm in the mind set as Mark.
Got the urge, but a few Scotches and the thought of the Drunks on the road is keeping it in the garage. Tomorrow will be fun though.

Happy New Year everybody. Stay safe.

[911tracker85]

I got my first 911, a used '85 targa in '89. sold it when trying to start a business in '97. once we were on our feet, I started contemplating another sports car.

after looking at several, decided I wanted another Carrera 3.2 the looks, smell, sound, feel, everything. they are just so different than anything else out there. yes, I could have bought a new Nissan 300ZX turbo that would have been faster, modern, and more comfortable. but in the end it HAD to be another Carrera.

in the process I looked at / drove an 86 930 and LOVED IT. but with some maintenance pending was outside my budget. like my Carrera but on serious steroids.

lucky me, the guy who bought mine was selling as he had bought a 930. (seems the 930 was haunting / teasing me even then).

I still have that 85 911, used as a DE track car for several years then decided it was time to retire her. she was my first and will probably be the last to get sold.

considering my budget, picked up an 86 944 turbo project to finish up and turn in to my new DE track car.

then it happened.

my cousin started sending me emails about a '78 930 he knew was for sale. a clone and a project. as stated throughout this thread, from owning the 911 I have always lusted for 930s. but never thought my budget would allow. finally gave in and went to look. just could not pass it up.

been wrenching on this 930 clone for a few months now. still a bit of work to get it up and running. cant just fix what was broke but had to extensively refresh the car. one of these days when it is finally running will submit a thread about it. the pic is of the PO.

I now have this 78 930 clone in process along with the 86 944 turbo project. have an extensively refreshed 84 928S that is my preferred DD and of course my original 85 911 that has been reverted to stock appearance. no intention of pulling the upgraded brakes, suspension, and engine mods.

I could sell all of them (projects in current state) and come up short of the price of a new base Boxster. but would not trade even if I could. I am totally smitten by all the older Porsches.

and before getting the 944 turbo project, picked up an 87 944S that I resurrected/refreshed for my 75 yr old bro-in-law. he is enjoying the heck out of it.

well... off to the garage for more wrenching. definitely need the 944 turbo done by april for the first DE at MidOhio. but also hoping to have the 930 running by then too.

Porsche ... there is no substitute.

[MikeD930]

What makes a 930 so special???

Rear aircooled engine with turbo and that curved body with tail in back...how can you ask for more?

[vmb]

40* now in Baltimore with snow and single digit temp predicted in the next 48 hours, so I took her out just now, inspired by these thoughts. I'll add one more thing that makes this car special based on what just happened 30 minutes ago- what other car makes 12 year old boys shout "cool car, man!" from across the street!

[911tracker85]

sorry for the long OT post above. just got carried away with my excitement at the prospect of driving my own 930, even if a clone.

what makes the 930 special?

basically the whole series of torsion bar 911s are special - IMHO. past that the 'newer' 911s (even air cooled) just started losing that TOTAL SENSORY EXPERIENCE. nothing else like it. faster, more comfortable, etc. etc. but they feel like something is missing for those of us addicted to the experience in the T-bar cars.

that body, turbo boost, and more aggressive looks just take it to the next level.

[Robbbyg]

The day i bought mine i didnt even test drive it all i cared about was ive finally got enough money and im taking it home and ill worry about any problems with the car later

[krasuskyp]

most of the variables quantified here, in varying forms

indulge me some 930inspired prose:

sledgehammer boost
the lift of the nose pointing to the heavens as you struggle to steer under a WOT stab
the squat of the rear as the LSD struggles to hook up the squirm of steamroller rubber as boost HITS
both the ^lift / squat^, defying you in a most sensationally daring dance, almost pugilistic
the hellacious wailing bark of the WG stub pipe when you hit 1bar
the rasp of a Zork
FLAMES!
burbles on overrun
the prevalent whine of the turbo
sensuous curves, titillating to wash, wax, and gaze upon endlessly - never (ever) gets old
the wondrous greenhouse view within the cockpit
cold air power gain, and the resulting vehicular bonghits ripped
sport seat bolstering enveloping my torso and affording me proppah hands upon Prototipo positioning - ohsorighteous
daring to drive one in anger, always learning always challenged always engaging
the cG so low and slung all around your hips providing literal seat-of-the-pants feel
the power-on oversteer slingshot off an apex, with the steering wheel sawed away to tame the violence
an open intake's FFFFFFP! inside, creating an "airbox" out of then entire cabin
FLAMES (<------*deserves 2nd mention*)
ABS?
the busy idle suggesting the eagerness within
the smell that wafts off of me once inside the house after driving it, offending others (Wifely) but grinnifying me
the Just Not Right potential for devilish fun
torsion bars seismographically sketching the tarmac into your palms / feet / seat
universal gapes of awe and cheers of "AWESOME"... from as young as 2 to as old as 82

and finally...

...that it is MINE, I'm fortunate to experience / enjoy it, and driven to drive it - as Pete said, few cars can literally define one as a sports car guy... this is irrefutably one and arguably one of the defining ones. Speaks to my soul, and I speak to its... corny as hell but damn if it doesn't resound deafeningly.

In ^that regard^, I'll add... that you fawkers also own them with me, that we get to share learn drive rock out together with these things. Life is GOOD.

Enjoy yours in good (WOT) health gents...

[pkabush]

Every positive thing written about the 930 in the above
posts.
What else can be said. Pure sex. Pure power. Incredibly visceral.
In 76 I was 13years old. Standing quietly by myself at the bottom of Queen Anne hill in Seattle. The quiet air quickly turned to thunder & squealing tires as a beautiful
black 930 blasted through the apex & up the counterbalance far faster & far more breathtakingly brutish and beautiful than anything my young eyes had ever seen.
Needless to say, it made an impression.
Always wanted one, never thought I'd have one.
Fast forward through the haze of the 70s, craze of the 80s, got my $hit together in the 90s bought one in 05 and
never looked back. I couldn't be happier and it wouldn't be possible w/o you guys.
Happy new year.

[930cabman]

I have owned mine for several years and still not sure if I like the way she looks (shiny black cab), or the way she sounds or driving the animal. Every so often I consider a performance upgrade then common sense prevails and I remain content with the awesome power.

[Jeff NJ]

Well I haven't gotten to drive mine a lot yet since I haven't owned it for very long, and certainly haven't pushed it hard at all yet, but every time I step into the garage, it takes my breath away and I am so proud to actually, finally, own one.

I was 12 yrs old in 1979. My parents were buying a Volkswagen and the door to the Guards Red Porsche 911 turbo on the showroom floor was unlocked! I jumped right in and checked everything out and fell in love. I still remember the look of horror on the salesman's face when he saw this kid playing with all the controls on their pride and joy. The second I got out of the car, he RAN to the car and locked the doors.

I've been in love ever since.

[///Criss]

Great stories guys. Keep me coming. This is exactly what I was looking for!!!!

[Tt surgeon]

Everything?

[///Criss]

Originally Posted by Tt surgeon

Everything?

WHOAH!!!!!!!!

[Les Paul]

Late May 1977 premier of Star Wars. Long wait in line to get in. Wife only 20 me a whopping 22 and we got there an hr early and still had to wait in a line that passed right by a new Red with black full leather Turbo I had only seen in magazines. Right behind us surfer dude and his beautiful surfer gf sure seemed to know a lot about the car. Everyone in the vicinity was talking about it having never seen one before either. Finally I ask the guy how he knows so much about the car. He pulls out a key chain with "the" key. Pops the door and says get in. Fires it up. That deep deep burble, pure heaven. That was it. The smell of the leather then that distinct popping of the exhaust after we got out. Surfer dudes dad was the local Porsche dealer. Surfer dude was 16 I kid you not.

I told my wife I would have one some day. It took 8 more years but I found mine. At that time they were still pretty rare because they had not been imported for some years and nobody even knew the would bring them back. So prices were right at original selling price. I liked the look of the early tail and found a 1 owner that had been brought over in the one time import law that was in effect then. So I got a Euro that had the higher flow fuel head and no thermal reactors. The AC worked but just barely. Paint was 9 of 10. Interior 10 of 10. And to think for the price I paid I was also looking at the brand new 944's and like new 928's. I guess it was one of the better choices I would make concerning cars.

[Maltese Falcon]

I've been a mid engine 914-6 guy for along time, until a good friend/customer drove up to my Culver City shop in a brand new 1979 guards red 930. I took a good look at it from various angles, sat in it, inhaled the leather, started it and then gave him back the keys. I did not take his offer up on driving it, that would have made me crazy with desire. So he left me a poster of the white 930 cut-away, that I framed and put on my office wall. That poster did me in, and a few months went by and I made the purchase of my own '79 in anthracite. I drove it home with the sunroof open, taking in the warm SoCal breeze, the awesome exhaust note and a rear view mirror full of whale tail. The early 930 had hand fitted fenders + quarters, computer and catalyst free engines, torsion bars all four corners, light weight by todays standards and big four pot brakes ! I still have the 914s and love the go kart feel of those cars. But jumping into the 930, flipping on the A/C and driving it spiritedly over long distances is a dream.
I was also honored with having the 930 in a '90s article for European Car magazine, photo credit: Les Bidrawn.
Happy New Year everyone !
Marty

[blyguy]

My first 24 hours owning the 930 has sealed it for me. Timeless looks, and sledgehammer performance. It feels like a hefty German sports car one minute, and then a rocket ship with race car soundtrack when the boost kicks in. I get a smile just seeing it sitting in the garage!

To compare it to my E30 M3, they both have that visceral mechanical feel that's tough to describe. I think it's the homologation DNA that runs through both cars. Not that I want to make this an M3-related post, or anything. But it's the only other car that makes me smile as much as the 930, which, in my opinion, is pretty high praise

[Tt surgeon]

I've had several awd 911s/turbos. A 930 is completely visceral compared to the 997tt, or even the 993tt, which are sterile by comparison. Kinda like comparing a 67 stingray vette to a new one.
Plus, it's the only turbo porsche ever raced.

[jfort]

I had a series of late 60's and early 70's 911's, culminating in a 73 S (the one I should have never sold). The S came on its cam at 4K RPM and the sound was glorious. Portending the 930, or what? My short-geared 2.5 914-6 has instant acceleration and handles like it is on rails, but, as we all know, the 930 is excess in all the places where excess is good. Nothing quite like the OMG thrust. It is Jekyll and Hyde -- the quintessential 911. I hope to become more confident in it, but for now the excitement, bordering on fear, is a real rush. We are so lucky!

[sand_man]

As I have mentioned before in other threads, once sorted, the 930 does all things pretty well. It has a certain duality that is hard to find. Jeckyl and Hyde. Mine served me well as a daily driver for damn near 7 years (the longest I have ever owned ANY car by a long shot). I drove my two kids to school in it every day; rain, shine, and/or NC ice...it was all that I had. Once all of the silly emissions crap and useless AC was out of the way (and heat for that matter), the car was a joy to wrench on. I just reached a certain crossroads in my 930 life with mods, mileage, money, and market conditions that allowed me to walk away without regret...it was time for someone else to enjoy the car.