In the spring of 1975, the first Porsche 911 Turbo, first shown at the IAA in 1973, rolled into dealers' showrooms. It was not the first production vehicle with a turbocharger - General Motors had already equipped cars with this technology in the 1960s - but it became the epitome of the turbocharged sports car and is still the car that people think of today when they hear "turbo".
It is clear that books can be written about this car. And so there are also several works that deal exclusively or mainly with the Porsche 911 Turbo. So the hurdle is high if you want to do it better. Nevertheless, Andreas Gabriel and Norbert Franz took the plunge and published a bilingual (German/English) compendium that leaves hardly a question unanswered.
The air-cooled
The authors focus exclusively on the air-cooled turbos, summarizing 23 years of turbo history, starting with the first 930 and ending with the 993 Turbo.
Of course, they also tell the prehistory, because Porsche began experimenting with the turbocharger at an early stage and also used it successfully in racing, for example in the 917/10, the 917/30 and also in 911 Carrera derivatives.
The familiar and the less familiar
Gabriel and Franz concentrate largely on road vehicles and they start with a Turbo that is only little known, namely the number 1 car of Madame Louise Piech, which was delivered without extensions but with a dictaphone.
All model series from the 930 3.0 to the 930 3.3, 964 3.3, 964 3.6 and 993 are explained in detail over around 220 pages, including the 993 GT2 models.
In addition to the series vehicles, the book also goes into detail about special series, such as the ten 930 Turbo S for Sonauto, the 964 Turbo Cabriolet, the 993 Turbo Cabriolet, or the 911 Turbo "Package Cars" from 1994, whose existence is hardly known to this day. The history of the "Flachbau" vehicles is also presented in detail.
The reader learns a lot of interesting facts, but would perhaps wish for somewhat clearer sections and, if necessary, subtitles so as not to lose orientation.
Valuable data section
For Turbo owners and buyers, the detailed statistics section, compiled exclusively by Porsche expert Norbert Franz, is extremely interesting. The numbers of all 911 Turbos produced are documented, as are all chassis numbers of original factory performance-enhanced vehicles.
Of course, technical data is just as important as special equipment and country-specific versions. It goes without saying that the 911 Turbo, which was produced in its thousands, could not be supplied with individual "ex works" equipment. Here you just have to keep approaching Porsche.
Extensively illustrated
The 270-page book is extensively illustrated, with a good mix of new and historical illustrations. The quality of the images is impressive, as is the printing.
One or two readers might have wished for more reproductions of brochures and color charts, and from time to time one stumbles across interspersed full-page advertisements.
Worth the price
Almost 100 euros is no mean feat, especially as the book is bilingual. Anyone who owns a 911 Turbo will buy it anyway, and anyone interested in Porsche probably will too, but it also contains a lot of interesting reading for people with a general interest in cars.
The extensive data sections, the well-written texts and the rich pictorial material certainly make up for the price. The book looks good in its cardboard slipcase anyway and the limited edition of 2015 copies makes it even more valuable. Why 2015? Anyone who suspects a specific production quantity behind this is wrong, it is simply the year of the edition.
Bibliographical information
- Title: 40 - Porsche 911 Turbo - Aircooled Years 1975 - 1998
- Authors: Andreas Gabriel, Norbert Franz
- Languages: German / English
- Publisher: BMB Berlin Motor Books UG.
- Edition: 2nd edition, October 2015, limited to 2015 copies
- Format: Hardcover, in slipcase, 28.8 x 24.4 cm
- Scope: 270 pages
- ISBN: 978-3-9814592-1-0
- Price: EUR 99.80
- Buy/order: Online from the publisher, online at amazon.deor in relevant bookstores
