This prototype started something special in the automotive world and will be on display as part of The Concours of Elegance 2024 event in late summer.

A piece of automotive history will grace the lawns of Hampton Court Palace from 30th August to 1st September in the form of an original 1973 Porsche 911 ‘Turbo’ concept. One of several rare cars to feature at the event, this Porsche 911 Turbo - chassis 9113300157 - featured on the Porsche stand at the 1973 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, paving the way for numerous iterations of turbocharged 911s over the next five decades.

The 911 Turbo concept used a standard 911S and added a one-off silver finish and hand-painted Turbo script to demonstrate the future of the 911, all overseen by Porsche’s chief engineer Helmuth Bott. Displaying it as a ‘super’ 911 with turbocharged performance, the turbo 2.7-litre flat-six engine wasn’t actually ready in time for the Frankfurt event, with Porsche instead fitting a modified naturally aspirated engine with a fake painted wood Turbo component added to it.

It was enough to pique the curiosity of the attending public and two years later, the ‘930’ Turbo was introduced and would become the fastest production car available in Germany. After its appearance in Frankfurt, the concept was later displayed in Paris, Tokyo and Melbourne, before returning home to Stuttgart. Features of the concept were later seen in other Porsche cars, with styling elements used in the ‘G-Model’ 911. The Turbo concept was also noted for its more aggressive look in the form of larger Fuchs wheels, pumped-up bodywork, swollen arches, and a prominent rear wing.

On a visit to the Stuttgart factory in 1975, racing driver and Porsche importer Alan Hamilton saw the concept car and instantly became engrossed with it. It had been fitted with Porsche racing parts when acting as a testbed and Hamilton was keen to own the first example of a racing special. A deal was made to export the car to Australia where it made a few racing appearances on track before being traded amongst other Porsche fans in the region. In 2010, it made its way to the United States where it remained for six years until it was purchased by its current owner, who brought it back home to Europe. Now fitted with a genuine turbo motor, and in pristine condition, it will sit proudly among the host of rare cars to be seen at Hampton Court Palace, including 60 other concours cars.

Tickets to the Concours of Elegance are available now from www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets 

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Concours of Elegance