The Porsche 930 Turbo is the original whale-tail widowmaker, a boosted, brawny air-cooled 911 that defined 1980s supercar attitude. This 1987 coupe is a visual stunner in rare Lagoon Green Metallic over Mahogany leather, a color combination the commenters have fallen for. It is on Bring a Trailer at no reserve, bid to $45,000 with nine days to go, though its engine warrants a careful look before you get carried away.
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What it’s worth right now
The 930 Turbo is a firmly established air-cooled collectible. According to Classic.com, the 3.3-liter Turbo coupe averages around $214,965, with the current benchmark for 1987 cars near $162,000, and clean, stock, US-market examples generally trading from roughly $120,000 into the $200,000s depending on condition and originality.
This car sits differently within that market because of two factors. Its engine has been modified away from stock, and, more importantly, the posted leakdown result raises a real question detailed below, both of which weigh against the values above. Its rare and gorgeous color combination and no-reserve format pull in the other direction.
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Weighing the desirable specification against the engine and mileage questions, fair value realistically lands in the $70,000 to $120,000 range, most likely the high $80,000s to around $110,000, and potentially less if the engine needs work. At $45,000 with nine days remaining and no reserve, the bidding will climb, but the engine question may temper it.
Condition and details
The car is visually superb. Finished in rare Lagoon Green Metallic over Mahogany leather with power sport seats, it retains the desirable equipment, a sunroof, limited-slip differential, and 16-inch Fuchs wheels, and the seller reports a recent detail, an air-conditioning service, and a dry-ice undercarriage cleaning. The turbocharged 3.3-liter flat-six drives through the four-speed manual, and recent recommissioning work has the car presenting beautifully.
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Three items require real scrutiny, and they matter more than the cosmetics. First and most important, the posted compression and leakdown results show a very high leakdown figure on one cylinder, which multiple knowledgeable commenters flagged. A reading that high points to a cylinder-sealing problem, worn rings, a valve, or a head gasket, that could require significant engine work on an air-cooled turbo motor, so commission a fresh, independent leakdown test and a thorough pre-purchase inspection before bidding, and price in potential engine expense.
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Second, the engine is modified, with an upgraded BorgWarner turbocharger, an aftermarket intercooler, and a custom exhaust, so this is not a stock, original car that purists prize, and you should confirm the tune’s quality and emissions compliance for your state. Third, the mileage is not verifiable: the car wears a replacement speedometer, and the title odometer is marked exempt, so the roughly 38,000 miles should be treated as a shown figure. Commenters also noted the listing is light on service history for a 40-year-old car, so seek records.
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The offer
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Make | Porsche |
| Model | 911 Turbo (930) |
| Year | 1987 |
| Mileage | 38,000 miles shown |
| Engine | Turbocharged 3.3-liter flat-six |
| Power | Not specified by the seller |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drive type | Rear wheel drive with limited-slip differential |
| Exterior color | Lagoon Green Metallic |
| Interior color | Mahogany leather |
| Current bid | $45,000, no reserve, with nine days left |
Interested in this 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo? View the listing here.
What makes the 930 Turbo unique
The 930 was Porsche’s first production turbocharged 911, and it earned a fearsome reputation. Its exhaust-driven turbocharger delivered stunning performance for its era, capable of a 0-60 mph run in under five seconds when rivals struggled to match it, but the boost arrived so suddenly that it earned the car its widowmaker nickname, undoing many a driver who found the power spiking mid-corner. That raw, slightly intimidating character, combined with the iconic whale-tail spoiler and flared arches, is exactly what makes the 930 so beloved today.
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For 1987, the car benefited from improvements including more power for the naturally aspirated Carrera and a stronger gearbox lineup, though the Turbo retained its four-speed until the final year. As one of the definitive air-cooled Porsche icons, a genuine analog turbo experience from a bygone era, the 930 has become a cornerstone of serious Porsche collections, with the best examples commanding strong money.
My take
I understand the enthusiasm here, because the color alone is spectacular. Lagoon Green over Mahogany is a rare and gorgeous combination, and a 930 Turbo is one of the most charismatic air-cooled Porsches you can own, all boost, drama, and that unmistakable whale-tail silhouette. On looks alone, this car is a knockout, and the no-reserve format means it will sell.
But I would go in with clear eyes, because the engine is the whole story. That leakdown result is a genuine concern, and combined with the non-stock modifications and unverifiable mileage, it means this is a car to buy only after a thorough, independent inspection with fresh compression and leakdown testing. Fair value sits in the $70,000 to $120,000 range if the engine checks out, but budget for potential work and let the inspection guide your maximum. Get that right, and you could land a stunning air-cooled icon; skip it, and a gorgeous color could mask an expensive surprise.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. We are not a dealership or broker. All vehicle specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change without notice. We are not responsible for typographical errors, omissions, or the accuracy of the provided information. Please verify all details directly with the seller.
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About the author
Kyle Edward
Editor-in-Chief, Autoblog