Sweetness! Walter Payton’s ’79 Porsche 930 Turbo at Auction
Turbocharged Flat-six was footballer’s favorite ride, and it will be auctioned off Oct. 25-27.
Walter “Sweetness” Payton was a legendary hall-of-fame NFL running back who was known as much for his prowess on the field as his kindness off it. His son Jarrett Payton is working with auction house Mecum to sell his father’s 1979 Porsche 930 Turbo. The car is in exceptional condition, and a remarkable Porsche 930 with some impressive history.
“This was his first sports car,” Jarrett told Mecum. “This was the first big-name sports car that he bought. He bought it in 1979, the year before I was born. He got into the league in ’75, and early on, his main focus was just playing football. That focus helped him become the leading rusher with the most carries those first three years. He worked hard to ensure he had established himself, so when he was getting to the good part of his career, when the ‘80s came around, he wanted to treat himself.”
And what a treat it was.
The car boasts a 3.3L/265 HP turbocharged Flat-six engine, a 4-speed transmission, and shockingly, only a mere 9,950 miles on the odometer. Both the interior and exterior are in pristine condition. The ’79 Porsche was one of only 1,200 produced in the U.S., and also marked the last year before Porsche discontinued the 930 Turbo in the U.S. and Japan in 1980, making this a rare find.
We love the sexy, sleek lines of this sporty 930, and the chrome Gotti 5-spoke wheels are a great touch.
“He loved the silver on that body style,” said Jarrett. “He had it to match the chrome rims on there; he just always wanted it to look super clean. He wanted the hottest thing out, and you know, I respect him because when you work hard, and you have the means to do those things, why not treat yourself? He knew the grind and the hard work being in football, not taking a day off…that’s what made the car special.”
Amenities include an electric sunroof, A/C, carbon-fiber dash inlays, and an rockin’ Alpine stereo with Nakamichi speakers.
Some details that elevate the Porsche include a Ruf intercooler, Borla stainless exhaust, the very cool whale tail spoiler, and 4-wheel disc brakes. Also included in the auction are Payton’s “Sweetness” license plate bracket and Illinois “WP” license plates, as well as photos of Walter Payton with the car included.
Payton’s family decided to auction the car as a way on honoring their father’s legacy, and his passion for Porsche.
“It was a hard thing to decide,” he said. “I just felt that there is someone out there who would truly enjoy this car and love this car and cherish this car like he did, and that would bring me even more joy to know that someone loves it like him and will put it in their collection and take care of it the way he did.”
If you’re interested (and who wouldn’t be?) it will be sold October 25-27 at Mecum’s upcoming Chicago auction.
Photos: Mecum Acutions
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