The 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo was a car that started a revolution. It arrived ten years after the first turbocharged production car (the 1964 Oldsmobile Jetfire Turbo) but was the first turbo car that actually worked. Earlier automotive turbocharging efforts had been interesting novelties, sure, but the Porsche 911 Turbo (code-named the 930) didn’t have a sense of humour: it was born from racing, and it was born angry. Fifty years later, Porsche is celebrating the golden anniversary with a limited-production special edition.
There will be just 1,974 examples (get it?) of the “911 Turbo 50 Years” anniversary edition built. Unsurprisingly, the base car for this limited run is the Porsche 911 Turbo S, essentially in unchanged form, since this variant debuted in 2019. That means you’ll get AWD and 640 hp to rocket to 96 km/h (60 mph) in just 2.7 seconds. But of course, the real reason you’ll want one are the achingly cool retro design touches.
The “base colour” for the car is Aventurine Green Metallic, but you can also choose any colour in the Porsche lineup, or even paint-to-sample. But that green is a great throwback colour that references some of the more pale-mint hues popular on the original 911 Turbo. “Turbonite” sounds like a Judas Priest album, but it’s actually the name of the special dark-grey finish that adorns pieces around the car like the fuel tank cap, engine cover, and the Porsche crest.
Inside, you’ll find the seats trimmed in red and green tartan fabric, just like the originals. I love retro fabrics like this, and I think this may be my favourite detail on the car. You’ll find more Turbonite details inside the car, too, on the seatbelts, controls, stitching, and trim. You’ll find an embossed Turbo 50 logo on the headrests, and an illuminated version of the same logo on the sill plates. Complimenting the tartan seats, you’ll find gauge dials in green, along with additional tartan accents on the glove box, seat backs, and dashboard trim. Open the door and you’ll see an illuminated Turbo logo shining from underneath the doors.
I take minor objection to the “Porsche” and “Turbo 50” badges on the rear being done in gold. While it looks sharp, the original Turbo used black badges — it was one of the first cars to do so. I have no objections, however, with the fetching Sport Classic wheels fit to the car. Finished in silver and white, they hearken back to the classic Fuchs design, and look great.
If that’s not enough for you, Porsche is also offering a matching watch – er, I mean chronograph – that employs the same visual cues as the 50 Years. It uses a black dial with Turbonite elements, all fit inside a titanium housing. Sales of the watch are also limited to just 1,974 units, and the individual serial number of each is laser-engraved into the back.
If you’d like one, orders for the car are open now, and you’ll need a check good for $291,700. Deliveries will begin in early 2025.
Porsche celebrates its heritage possibly better than any other carmaker. We’ve driven Porsche’s modern throwback classic models before, and can’t wait to get a chance behind the wheel of this modern classic. Would you prefer the modern or the original?
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