The Porsche 911 Turbo “Flat-Nose” pays homage to the world-beating type 935 factory racecar developed for FIA Group 5 competition in the mid-1970s. Following its immense success, racing sponsors clamored for a roadgoing version. Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur program—sometimes called “Sonderwunsch,” or “Special Wishes”—obliged with an option package for the 911 Turbo. The resulting bodywork resembled the aerodynamic 935, with louvered steel front fenders made flush with the hood and fitted with retractable headlamps. The rocker panels were boxed and extended to meet the widened rear quarter panels, which contained new brake-cooling vents with side strakes and an electric fan for additional oil cooling. Wider wheels and tires were fitted at both ends.

Within months of the 935-inspired Flat-Nose treatment’s debut as an option for the European market in 1981, Porsche was overwhelmed with customer requests. Unsurprisingly, it was typically the wealthiest clientele who ordered these cars, often with many additional factory upgrades. In 1987, Porsche finally added the North American Flat-Nose package—known by the option code M505—to its catalogue. Out of the 618 total produced for North America from 1987 through 1989, numerous examples ended up in the hands of celebrities, including movie stars, eccentric royals, and athletes. Even NBA legend Michael Jordan was swept up in so-called “Flat-Nose Fever.” A famous series of photos show him stepping off a private plane and right into his Grand Prix White M505 Cabriolet—the NBA Championship trophy tucked neatly into the passenger seat.

The 911 Turbo Cabriolet offered here is a uniquely specified example from the small run of just 50 US-market Flat-Nose Cabriolets produced for the 1989 model year. It is finished in a rare and particularly attractive paint-to-sample color of Mercedes-Benz Diamond Blue Metallic (DB 355) that pairs beautifully with the Silk Grey extended leather interior. The color-coordinated Fuchs wheels and dark blue top complete the remarkable presentation. Notably, it is the only US-market 911 Turbo Cabriolet Flat-Nose produced in paint-to-sample Mercedes-Benz Diamond Blue Metallic and also equipped from the factory with the desirable G50 five-speed manual transmission. The car also came fitted from the factory with a limited-slip differential, sports seats, a Blaupunkt Reno cassette stereo, and an additional amplifier.

Originally delivered new to Florida, the Porsche would reside on the East Coast until 2004, according to entries in its Carfax report. It would eventually pass through Arizona, Louisiana, and California before eventually entering the collection of Porsche connoisseur Todd Blue in 2018. As of cataloguing time, it showed only 22,731 miles on the odometer, making this rare Flat-Nose with its special color scheme and manual gearbox even more desirable. It is accompanied by a set of owner’s manuals.