Porsche 930 Turbo or Ferrari Testarossa: Which Would You Buy?

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.

 

Posted on by Zach Doell

 

 

There are a number of things that the 1980s weren’t known for…long-lasting fashion being one of them. But in terms of sports car styling, I think you’ll agree that a few ’80s car designers knew what they were doing, especially some of the ones working at Porsche and Ferrari. 

That got us thinking, who did it better? We found this 1989 Ferrari Testarossa and this 1986 Porsche 930 Turbo up for grabs on eBay, and we want to know, if it were your money – which would you buy?

The 930 Turbo, among Porschephiles, is akin to a box full of Playboys to the teenage youth – it’s a dirty, dirty thing. The turbocharged 911 showed up on these shores in 1976, and was a jaw-dropping performer.

Tragically, it was killed off in the US due to emissions issues in 1980, but heroically, it came back in ’86 and booted out a hearty 282 horsepower. Turbo lag from the 3.3-liter flat-six was quite apparent, but four throws through that manual gearbox would catapult you like a bullet from a gun. Zero to 60 mph took just four and a half seconds – blisteringly fast even by today’s standards.

And if you wanted to, you could have yours done-up like the iconic “slant nose” 935 racer. This nicely conditioned example was fashioned with that exact nasal treatment. Inside, the 930 sports tan leather and carpeting. Outside, it’s a stunning red hue. The odometer shows 63,500 miles; does it get any cooler than a slant nose?

Answer: well, yes. Ferrari showed up to the 1984 Paris Motor Show and frankly blew the doors down with its Pininfarina-designed Testarossa. The striking berlinetta would go onto become the quintessential image of the ’80s, conquering both television (with a starring role on Miami Vice) and children’s bedroom walls. But those cheese grater side slats and rakish silhouette would be all for nought if the Ferrari had no “go.”

Luckily, it did. The heady flat-12 engine served up an invigorating 380 horsepower, and if you kept your foot pressed firmly down, you’d be flying to the 180 mph mark. This gorgeous 1989 example shows a mere 20,800 miles on the odometer, and comes in a rare white on white configuration.

Which legend of the ’80s pulls on your heartstrings?


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