A question for Porsche: How the devil did you let this one slip through your fingers?

For those that don’t know, this is the original 1973 concept car that previewed Porsche’s idea for a turbocharged 911, and would ultimately lead to the ‘930’ Turbo, in 1975.

It is the only one in existence, and yet it doesn't belong to Porsche. This is why…

Taking a standard 911S as its base, the concept was built up in Porsche’s design studio ‘Style Porsche’, with the construction overseen by the firm’s chief engineer, Helmuth Bott.

The concept was a pivotal moment in the evolution of Porsche's 911 and high-performance sports cars generally. The move was motivated by the company’s motorsport success with turbo technology in endurance racing, particularly the 917/30 Can-Am car that competed in America. It boasted a 5.4-litre flat-12-cylinder, twin-turbo engine that propelled driver Mark Donohue to a circuit lap record of 222 mph around the Talladega Oval, in Alabama.

Externally, the 1973 concept car shared the familiar silhouette of the standard 911 but came with wider wings and a larger rear spoiler to accommodate a wider track, larger wheels and tyres and brakes, and to provide greater stability at high speeds. The most significant change, however, was beneath the super-size rear wing.

The story of the 911 Turbo concept car

Ironically, when it made its debut on the Porsche stand at the Frankfurt motor show, the car didn’t actually feature the newturbocharged 2.7-litre, flat-six motor; it wasn’t ready in time for the show.

Porsche modified a naturally-aspirated engine, with additional components – including the turbo itself – mocked up in wood and painted to look real. The body would go on to be shared with the 911 RSR racing car and the 3.0 RS road car.

In 1975, Alan Hamilton - a racing driver and the Porsche importer for Australia - bought the concept 911 Turbo and used it as the basis for one of the first RSR racers.

To this day, the original concept for the 911 Turbo remains in private ownership.

If ever there was one that got away from , this is it.

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