Written by independent automotive journalist Tom Jensen

This 1988 Porsche 930 Slant Nose (Lot #658) will join a 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo 930 (Lot #660) on the block during the 2018 Northeast Auction.

The year 1986 was a big one for U.S. pop culture. “Top Gun,” “Crocodile Dundee” and “Platoon” drew huge crowds in movie theaters, while Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen, Billy Joel and Lionel Richie wowed concertgoers.

CDs were starting to replace vinyl record albums, the Human Genome Project was launched and IBM introduced its first laptop computer, the PC Convertible. Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champion and Washington was rocked by the Iran-Contra scandal.

On the road, one of the hottest cars going was the mighty 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo, the latest and greatest sports car offered by the fabled German automaker. It marked the first time since 1979 that Porsche had offered a turbocharged 911 variant in the United States.

This was huge news in the enthusiast community. “The best part of the deal is that a solid-gold, heart-thumping supercar has returned to our midst. It’s as if Ferrari had brought back the Daytona, or Ford had resurrected the Cobra,” wrote Car and Driver’s Rich Ceppos.

Lot #660 – 1986 Porsche 911 Turbo 930

Strong words, perhaps, but not hyperbole. With its air-cooled 3.3-liter turbocharged flat-six engine, the 1986 911 Turbo produced 282 horsepower, which was enough to propel it from zero to 60 miles per hour in a heart-thumping 4.7 seconds. Top speed was 157 mph. Those were huge numbers for 1986. Weighing less than 3,000 pounds, the Porsche 911 Turbos were fast, agile and athletic performers.

Like all Porsche models, the 911 Turbos featured sensational build quality to go along with the high-class performance capabilities.

If you’ve ever longed to own one of these world-class sports cars, now is the time to step up. The 3rd Annual Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction, June 20-23 at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, will feature a duo of mid-1980s Porsches – a spectacular 911 Turbo coupe from 1986 (Lot #660) and a rare 1988 Porsche 930 Slant Nose (Lot #658). Both will sell at No Reserve, so each will be go to the highest bidder, regardless of final hammer price.

The first of the Porsches for sale at Barrett-Jackson is a 1986 911 Turbo coupe, the only body style offered that year with the turbocharged engine. Featuring thoughtful and tasteful performance and cosmetic updates, this model is trimmed out in White Gold Metallic paint, and has some significant upgrades, according to the consignor.

With a complete service history dating back 20 years and just 66,000 original miles, this 911 Turbo is also ready for battle. Engine enhancements on this car include a larger turbocharger, and larger intercooler, plus an upgraded exhaust system. The consignor notes that this car is the beneficiary of a recent tuneup and complete valve adjustment, with full replacement of all the engine seals to provide top performance.

Lot #658 – 1988 Porsche 930 Slant Nose

New Bilstein shocks have been added, along with three-piece Fikse forged alloy wheels. On the exterior, the stock front fascia has been upgraded, with the car receiving a glass-out complete paint job five years ago in its original shade of White Gold Metallic. The original burgundy leather interior remains in place.

The duo is completed with a drop-dead gorgeous 1988 Porsche 930 Slant Nose in what is arguably the single most iconic Porsche color combination: Shimmering Guards Red paint over a black leather interior.

The Slant Nose option, which gave the 911 the appearance of Porsche’s 935 Le Mans racecar, was first introduced in 1987, and cost a staggering $23,244 extra. The Slant Nose option included additional custom body work, such as wider rear fender flares, a “whale-tail” rear spoiler and side rocker arms. Only 160 of the 930 Slant Nose coupes were imported to the United States in 1988.

This car has had just two owners and, according to the consignor, has been garage-kept and meticulously maintained, with just 43,750 original miles. A letter of authenticity is included with the vehicle.

Don’t miss your chance to own one of these fine German sports cars at the Barrett-Jackson Northeast Auction, June 20-23. On the road, they’ll go fast – and you can bet they’ll go fast off the auction block, too.

For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles on the docket for the 2018 Northeast Auction, click HERE.