Galpin Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose: A Radwood ‘Must-Show’
A clear nod to the ’80s, this showstopper Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose is the epitome of ‘radness.’
Imagine a journey back in time to the era of neon lights, cassette tapes, and iconic ’80s fashion. Now, envision a Porsche that perfectly encapsulates that “rad era,” and you’ll understand why Galpin’s 1988 Porsche 930 Turbo Slantnose is an absolute must-show for Radwood 2023.
This one-of-a-kind project was born from the hands of Armen Mansouri, Parts and Service Director for Galpin’s Porsche Santa Clarita, and the visionary mind of Beau Boeckmann, President of Galpin Motors. A 2023 “People’s Choice” and “Kids Choice” awards winner, it is a big nod to the 1984 Porsche Carrera 3.2 once made for Tilman Brodbeck, who was the Executive Assistant to the CEO from 1980 to 1987.
I took a short trip up to the dealership in Santa Clarita, California recently to meet Mansouri and see the Slantnose in person. And it is just as “radically” bespoke as you would expect.Â
Pushing Limits
The transformation from a car with a questionable past to a showpiece was nothing short of remarkable. It took them only eight-and-a-half months from teardown to completion.
“We had meetings in November and December, and the first week of January is when we did the complete teardown,” said Mansouri. “It went to paint and body by the end of February to the beginning of March. We got it in the last week of June to put it back together again.”
Which, of course, is nothing short of impressive–and a bit crazy.
“This project is the most ambitious build we’ve created for the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge,” said Boeckmann.
“Despite starting off with fire damage and corrosion, we were able to transform it into a period-correct Porsche on the exterior and interior while making the performance simply terrifying. Our goal with this Slantnose was to bring it back to the original generation while incorporating our own unique Galpinized design.”
Porsche 930 Turbo: From Crispy to ‘Crisp’
Details are scant, but the car had a mysterious past, having previously belonged to a gentleman from the Great Plains before winding up at an L.A. dealership.
“It wasn’t totally burned; we didn’t know that until after we tore it down, but we bought it from Beverly Hills Car Club,” said Mansouri. “It’s a used car lot, and they have all sorts of used exotic cars—Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins, all kinds of stuff.”
Galpin has a tradition of pushing restoration projects to the extreme. Previous projects included the iconic Porsche 356 and a stunning 1974 Porsche 911 Targa Safari (another People’s Choice Award recipient), now proudly displayed at the Petersen Museum.
Dedication, with a Side of Sweat & Tears
The dedication of the Santa Clarita team was exceptional. According to Mansouri, he had four technicians working around the clock putting it together to get it ready in time for Monterey Car Week.
“The teamwork from my guys was second-to-none. Everyone came together—no one had any problems staying late, coming in on a Saturday or coming in on a Sunday. The dedication my team had truly swells the heart with pride,” said Mansouri.
The president played a pivotal role in this project, personally selecting the interior. According to Mansouri, Boeckmann personally chose the super-rare innards of an X83 Flachbau Porsche (an option only offered in Japan) and colored it turquoise, as an homage to the one made for Brodbeck back in the 1980s.
“It is actually a Porsche color,” Mansouri added, referring to the turquoise interior of Brodbeck’s corporate car. “We wanted to pay homage to the company with that specific interior.”
Boeckmann’s creativity shines brightly in this endeavor–it’s got a custom Rubystar paint job and an interior adorned in turquoise, black, and white pasha inserts. A clear nod to the ’80s, this 930 Slantnose is the epitome of “radness.”
“He thought of the paint and the interior himself,” said Mansouri. “When you think about the color mashup in your head, it’s kind of hard to see these hues going together. It’s not until you actually see it when you say to yourself, ‘Oh my God, this thing is gorgeous!'”
Monterey Car WeekÂ
The grand reveal of this spectacular creation occurred during the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge at the Werks Reunion in Monterey, California. Notably, the car earned both the People’s Choice and Kids’ Choice awards.
Beyond its striking appearance, the car boasts impressive performance. Under the prominent rear spoiler lies a 3.5-liter turbocharged engine capable of producing over 850 horsepower. Mechanical upgrades include a custom oil cooler system and a rebuilt transaxle with a limited-slip differential and a cooler.
Porsche 930 Turbo Specs
To keep this power planted firmly on the pavement, the vehicle features suspension upgrades, including 997 GT3RS rear components and MCS coilovers. Custom turquoise-painted HRE wheels are wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, ensuring that this car excels in both aesthetics and performance.
In 2023, the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge introduced a new format with three categories: Preservation, Restoration, and Individualization. It’s clear which category the Galpin Porsche’s 930 Slantnose belongs to, setting the stage for three winners to be crowned in this year’s competition. To top it all off, the national finals will be held at Rennsport Reunion 7.
Galpin’s Porsche’s 930 Turbo Slantnose is a testament to dedication, creativity, and the enduring appeal of classic Porsches. Its journey from a damaged wreck to a breathtaking show car deserves recognition, and it’s a vehicle that undoubtedly deserves a spot at Radwood 2023, where it can showcase its radness for all to admire.
“The whole point is for me to take this car everywhere and win all kinds of accolades for it. I guarantee it’ll end up at the Petersen, too,” he said.
Photos: Derin Richardson
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