Porsche 911 Turbo Flatnose to cross the blocks at Revival
The Porsche 911 is such a familiar face that even light cosmetics can make it feel like the Mona Lisa just swallowed a face load of an eco-warrior’s paint.
The 996 is probably the ultimate example of this, living in the doldrums of 911 folklore because its headlights resemble a fried egg – one of the nation’s favourite breakfasts – something not replicated before or since. It’s the world’s least favourite 911 and the reason that, joy, it’s one we can almost all dream of owning one day.
Fried egg headlights were a minor blip in the 911’s evolution chart; the 996 got a sticking-plaster facelift before the 997 did the job correctly, returning the 911’s headlights to their rightful, round shape.
But if you think the 996 made an impact when it launched in 1996, imagine what a 930 Turbo Flachbau or Slantnose looked like in the 1980s cruising past you on the King’s road with its Ferrari-like flat nose and pop-up headlights.
The car was inspired by 1976’s 935 race car, but it took a special request from Mansour Ojjeh, the owner of TAG, who had co-developed a race engine with Porsche, to build it.
Ojjeh wanted a “935 racing car for the street – but with all the luxuries,” and the result was a Candy Apple one-off called the Street, powered by a highly tuned 3.3-litre turbocharged flat-six and with wheel arch extension vents that could swallow seagulls.
The Slantnose was soon offered as part of Porsche’s Special Request programme, adding a not-inconsiderable sum to the cost of your new Porsche 930 Turbo. Early cars had their headlights integrated into the front bumper, while later cars got pop ups. Porsche admitted that while the Flat Nose had some aerodynamic benefits, more than anything, it gave customers the chance to own something special.
Nothing like the Flat Nose has been sold since, which explains why this example will be so sought after when it crosses the block at Bonhams|Cars Goodwood Revival sale on the 7th of September.
It’s one of just 18 right-hand drive Flat Noses built for the UK market in 1986. These cars got the complete package, including pop-up headlights, flared wheel arches and huge rear wings. Inside, it’s as lavish as you’d expect for a car aimed a grade above the standard Turbo, with leather coating almost every surface.
The car has a scandalous 12,610 miles on the clock, which explains why the price will also take your breath away – it’s estimated to make between £160,000 and £200,000.
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