1988 Porsche 911 Turbo Slant Nose

History

In 1975, Porsche unveiled its first turbocharged 911 with the internal model number 930. The now familiar wider stance was introduced along with the “Whale Tail” rear end. More power was on tap and with it came some wild and wooly load transfer dynamics, requiring TOTAL driver engagement.

Initially running a 3.0L flat-six motor, a 3.3L version was introduced in 1978 with an air-to-air intercooler and horsepower jump from 256 to 296, along with upgraded suspension and braking components. Early 911 Turbos were produced to meet racing homologation requirements but, unsurprisingly, customers were soon frothing for them.

One such fan was Masour Ojjeh, owner of Technique d’Avant Garde, otherwise known as TAG. At the time, Porsche’s 935 was dominating its class racing circuit thanks in part to an ultra-slippery front end that benefitted from a lack of headlights protruding into the airstream. Monsieur Ojjeh wanted one for himself and commissioned the wizards in Zuffenhausen to build just such a machine.

The 935 Street was thus born and well-to-do Porscheophiles everywhere noticed. Their demand was so strong, it spurred Porsche to offer this conversion as a package on new 930s. It kicked off the company’s Sonderwunchprogramm or “Special Wishes” team that was tasked with production, which is the predecessor to today’s Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur program.

As a new 930 rolled off the production line, technicians would disassemble the front end in order to reassemble it with the Flachbau (Flatnose) bodywork. It incorporated broader rear quarter panels with those gloriously straked intakes, extended rockers and of course the signature shaved and louvered front fenders hiding pop-up headlights. All this hand-work meant these cars were significantly more expensive than a regular ol’ 930 which resulted in less than 1,000 made globally and only 160 coming to North America.