Porsche’s initial plan was to build and homologate just 400 Turbos for FIA’s Groups 4 and 5 competition, but when it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 1974, the automotive world went wild. Even after the FIA changed the rules, Porsche had little choice but to continue offering the 930 model to its voracious fans. The original three-liter Turbos were blistering performers, but proved themselves difficult for inexperienced drivers to handle. The model’s first notable refresh occurred for 1978 and significantly tamed the earlier car’s unruly habits.

For 1978, Porsche increased engine displacement to 3.3 liters and fitted an air-to-air intercooler. For better handling, Porsche employed anti-roll bars, firmer shocks, and larger torsion bars. A larger rear wing improved downforce, and for better stopping, brakes derived from the 917 race car were fitted. The 930 was now both civilized and brutally quick.

This captivating 1978 Porsche 930 Turbo was ordered new by Thomas Gilbert Hoffman of El Sobrante, California, in paint-to-sample Caledonia Green, a period Mercedes-Benz color, with dark brown leather interior; California emissions; sport seats; and electric sunroof. In March 1978, Dr. Hoffman’s car was delivered through Martin-Johnson Porsche-Audi of Oakland, California. At approximately 8,000 miles, Dr. Hoffman replaced the car’s original 150 mph speedometer with the 180 mph unit used in earlier models. In a 2005 note provided to Doug McKee, the next caretaker of his prized Porsche, Dr. Hoffman indicated, “You don’t want to be going 150 and run out of speedo.” At the time of cataloguing, the odometer showed 13,768 miles, suggesting that the 930’s true mileage is approximately 22,000.

Around 2012, the 930 was acquired by San Diego architect Jonathan Segal, an enthusiast well known for his meticulous collection of exquisite automobiles. The Turbo was later sold to a Canadian collector and, in April 2016, it was invited to take part in a curated display of vibrant-colored 1970s-era Porsches at Luftgekühlt 3 in Los Angeles. Later that year, the 930 was acquired by the consignor, a noted Porsche collector, who commissioned Custom Cars Unlimited of La Grange, Illinois, to complete a bare-metal respray in its original paint-to-sample hue. The show-quality paint and outstanding original leather interior combine to make this pampered Porsche 930 one of the very best in existence.

This beautifully presented, meticulously maintained, paint-to-sample Porsche 930 is offered with its certificate of authenticity, original window sticker, purchase order, California temporary ID, original owner’s manual, stamped warranty and maintenance book, tool kit, jack, Coco mats, and assorted service records. It would be exceedingly difficult to find a more compelling or better documented example of the legendary 930 Turbo than the car presented here.