The Car Spy

Finished in Guards Red with a Black Leather interior this left hand drive 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo Flatnose was first registered in the UK in April 1989 and originally supplied through Porsche in the Netherlands it was well optioned from new, the most obvious of course being its distinctive body shape. This vehicle started life as a genuine factory Slantnose, Flatnose or ‘Flachbau’.

As if a 911 Turbo Flatnose didn’t stand out from the crowd enough, early in the car’s life it was sent to world-renowned Porsche tuners RUF Automobile GmbH, who are the only recognised partner of Porsche and, in fact, are recognised by the German government as a manufacturer in their own right. The customer opted for a BTR conversion (B = Group B, T = Turbo, R = RUF).

The basics of the RUF BTR start with the engine, which had the original partially-finned cylinder barrels replaced by those with air-cooling fins around their complete diameter. The bore was increased giving a new displacement of 3.4 litres from the original 3.3 litres. RUF added unique Mahle Pistons plus connecting rods and 935 type camshafts. The intake manifold was replaced, as was the exhaust, A larger KKK K27 unit replaced the turbo, and a larger free-flowing intercooler was added along with the installation of a larger oil cooler behind the RUF front spoiler.

RUF also went to great lengths to modify the standard Porsche 930 4-speed transmission by adding a 5th gear with the help of Getrag. Next, the shift linkage was improved, becoming both lighter and more positive than the stock unit. The cars were lowered and the suspension was stiffened, RUF also fitted their single-piece forged alloy wheels, sized 9×17 and 10×17.