Porsche 911 Turbo 3.3 WLS

While many are familiar with an early Sonderwunsch request by TAG-group owner Mansour Ojjeh to convert a 935 racing car for the street (he ultimately approved a highly modified 911 Turbo), Porsche had, in fact, created a handful of Slantnose Turbos prior to his. At the time in 1983, the production process – while still completely hand-built – had become formalized, with a brochure, options codes, and even a price list. The individual who specified the build of this particular Sonderwunsch 911 Turbo WLS (Works Power Increase) Slantnose was likely intimately familiar with the ordering process. Most apparent is the Slant Nose body and GFK front spoiler with central oil cooler ‘SOW 010’, the most expensive Sonderwunsch option on the price list at 38,340 DM. Additionally, SOW 011 (boxed rockers) and SOW 012 (air intake ducts in rear fenders) were ordered for an additional 10,772 DM. Furthermore, this special 911 Turbo was ordered in Metallic Paint to Sample (99). While the name of the shade is unknown, it features a recent glass-out repaint, color-matched from an undisturbed area under the dash, performed at the workshop of Automobile Associates of Canton, Connecticut. The underside of the chassis houses a rarely seen full, under-car AC condenser system thought to be installed for 911s intended for warmer climates. Finally, the exterior features correct Rest of World (RoW) lighting and 16-inch BBS three-piece wheels. While it’s not known if the BBS wheels were optioned with the car, is it certain that Porsche did offer these ex-works as option code SOW 052 and they are a perfect complement to the overall appearance.

Additionally, the consignor notes that this example features the second most costly option, ‘SOW 202’ in the Sonderwunsch catalog. SOW 020 indicates Porsche’s Works Power Increase Werksleistungssteigerung ‘WLS’ type 930/66 engine. Created for those where more is never enough, Porsche engineered a highly tuned, special-order turbo engine producing 30 additional horsepower featuring a subtly larger intercooler, modified airbox, K27 turbocharger, special camshafts, a four-pipe exhaust system, and due to the expected thermal increase, an external oil cooler. This matching numbers engine features a full disassembly and rebuild by DAS Sport of Gordonsville, Virginia. Receipts and invoices on file show the extensive rebuild beginning in January 2019, reinstallation in the car and running in June with the consigning specialist noting the abundance of power commensurate with the expected turbo thrust from a WLS optioned 930/66 powerplant.

It should be noted that while the car’s file does not contain factory paperwork related to the slantnose feature or WLS upgrade, that absence alone is not unusual among these special cars for which paperwork can be quite limited —particularly as this car’s pedigree, known and respected ownership history, and extensive special outfitting all corroborate the car’s authenticity. Further supporting the car’s original specification is the fact that the WLS power upgrade was almost always ordered in addition to the slant-nose, both of which this car exhibits.

In fact, the interior is chock-full of the type of features that are unmistakably Sonderwunsch. Naturally, the craftsman at Porsche filled this one-off 911 Turbo with a special, full leather interior, however most noteworthy are the small touches that stand out to those used to a standard 911 Turbo interior. Leather ignition (SOW 101) and door lock rosettes (SOW 109), leather headliner (SOW 147), leather sunvisors (SOW 138), leather shift boot (SOW 130), and leather covered AC vents (SOW 102). Additionally, a leather center console is installed with VDO clock, ambient temperature gauge, AC controls, and leather-covered cassette tape storage system. Not to be missed are the leather Recaro sport seats, leather Italvolante steering wheel, rootwood dash trim, thicker carpeting, and in-dash 2.0 BAR VDO boost gauge in place of the clock. Eagle-eyed among us will notice that even the sport seat hinges are colored to match!

After being delivered through Mahag Porsche Munich, Germany, copies of EPA and Customs paperwork on file indicate this RoW-spec, special wishes 911 Turbo quickly arrived in the USA – possibly as a new vehicle – with a Date of Entry into the USA of 22 February 1985. A decal in the driver’s door jamb indicates importation by a well-connected ‘B. Canepa’ and its first owner Michael Land. Additional paperwork on file indicates that this early Slantnose passed among a known succession of owners, eventually landing with the consignor in 2017. Since then, restoration invoices on file and available for review total over $340,000; a testament to the dedication to return this early Slantnose to the condition it left Sonderwunsch 40 years ago. Today, this special wishes Turbo exudes not only the exceptional craftsmanship of Porsche in their finest hand-built traditions but the absolute pinnacle of style and road-presence that special wishes 911 Turbos are known for.