Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 Coupe (930)
The 930 (usually pronounced nine-thirty) was a sports car built by Porsche, 930 actually being the “type number” for the pre-964 generation 911 Turbo produced between 1975 and 1989. It was Porsche’s top-of-the-range model for its entire production duration and at the time of its introduction the fastest production car available in Germany.
The 930 proved very fast but also very demanding. The 911 was prone to oversteer because of its rear engine layout and short wheelbase; combining those traits with the power of the turbocharged motor, which exhibited significant turbo-lag, meant driving the car required more skill to drive at the edge of its (higher) level of performance. Even though the rear engine layout provided superior traction, sudden bursts of power to the rear wheels in mid-corner could break the tires loose, causing the car to literally spin out of control. This effect was amplified if an inexperienced driver would instinctively lift the throttle in reaction. The vehicle needed to be kept at high revs during spirited driving to minimise the turbo lag. Skilled drivers quickly learned how to drive the 930 properly, and with that knowledge came the ability to drive the car above and beyond the levels of most other sports cars. Nevertheless, some fatal accidents caused by drivers outside their capabilities and traffic regulations resulted in product liability law suits brought against Porsche in the US, where Ralph Nader had made his name criticizing the rear engine-rear wheel drive layout of the Chevrolet Corvair.
Again, I don’t think I would ever go out and spend my own money on a Porsche, but if someone were to drop a 930 Turbo in my lap, I’d probably have to go to the hospital.
