Overview
Porsche's First Turbocharged Supercar
The mid-1970s were dark times for the automotive industry, and darker still for those passionate about high-performance cars. Manufacturers worldwide, struggling to comply with new emissions and safety regulations, were finding it difficult to produce cars capable of delivering a satisfying driving experience. With one or two exceptions—very expensive models built in minute quantities—none did. The cars produced in these years were at best compromised; most were simply dreadful. The OPEC oil embargo had just turned everything upside down while safety and emissions standards were strangling performance and stifling innovation from manufacturers. It was an atmosphere of complete and utter despair, as though all had been lost. Then—out of nowhere—Porsche dropped a bombshell, announcing a turbocharged series production supercar that not only met regulatory requirements but also delivered blistering performance. The 3.0-liter Turbo was an instant sensation, inspiring enthusiasts from every corner of the world and offered hope that perhaps there was still a future for performance cars. While other manufacturers made attempts to build a turbocharged series production car, none were produced in significant numbers or were commercially viable, other than BMW with the briefly available 2002 Turbo. Porsche's 3.0-liter Turbo was that and more…becoming the first successful turbocharged production car that not only exhibited bulletproof reliability and satisfied regulators, but also ran like a bat out of hell. Porsche's Turbo became THE car of the 1970s and 80s, forever cementing enthusiasm for the Porsche marque among those who came of age during that era. Having entered the popular lexicon, merely mentioning the word “turbo” in the decades that followed brought only one thought to mind: Porsche. The 3.0-liter Turbo is unquestionably the car that raised public perception and established Porsche as a top-tier manufacturer.
Other Editions: Limited Edition
Parabolica Press's second book—Turbo 3.0—dives deep into the development, production and mystique behind the three years of Porsche's 3.0-liter Turbo produced from 1975 to 1977. The book continues the theme of being carefully researched using the Porsche factory archives, private collections, period documentation and intensive study. In an attempt to cover everything an owner, restorer, historian or enthusiast would want to know about the dawn of Porsche’s turbocharged supercar, the Turbo 3.0 book includes a considerable amount of material never before published. For example: comprehensive discussions of original options, close-up photos of key details, scenes from factory production, coverage of special one-off models and period motorsports. This exhaustive volume not only covers the privateer racing exploits of the 3.0-liter Turbo, but also the development of production-based turbocharged race cars by examining the Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14 and Turbo RSR 934/934.5. Additionally, it includes interviews with factory engineers, development drivers and racing pilots involved with the development of Porsche's original Turbo. This is the definitive book about the immortal 3.0-liter Turbo and it is essential reading for anyone who has ever owned, driven or simply lusted after Porsche's first supercar.
Publisher's Edition Specifics
The exclusive Publisher's Edition of the Turbo 3.0 book is offered in a numbered series limited to just 300 copies. The Publisher's Edition differs from the standard Limited Edition with several unique and extra special surprise features included within a bespoke clamshell box designed specifically for the Publisher's Edition. Additionally, the Publisher's Edition carries on Parabolica Press's theme of offering a “Behind the Scenes” look into aspects for how each book is produced. For the Turbo 3.0 book, the Behind the Scenes supplement continues where the Carrera 2.7 Publisher's Edition Supplement left off by exploring the deep research necessary to produce books at this level, peering through the viewfinder of several photographers and, finally, understanding how the artistic concept becomes reality of several commissioned illustrations.
Details
- Publisher's Edition / 300 copies (compare)
- 536 pages / hardcover with bespoke clamshell box
- 1,508 photos: 1,113 color, 315 B&W, 60 illustrations (745 never before published)
- 11 ¼ × 13 ¼ inches (28.6 × 33.7 cm) / 13.5 lbs (6.1 kg)
- Author: Ryan Snodgrass
- Art Director: Richard Baron
- Cover Art: Guy Allen
- Retail Price: $595 USD (excluding tax/VAT/duty/shipping)
- Estimated European Price: 599 EUR (including VAT/duty)
- Available exclusively from Parabolica Press at parabolicapress.com
- Published: August 2018 by Parabolica Press
- ISBN: 978-0-9962682-6-4
- Errata Available
Table of Contents
Turbo 3.0 Table of Contents
- Turbocharging Roots
- Evolution of forced induction
- Engineering development
- How turbochargers work
- Porsche Turbo Arrives
- Turbo 3.0 unveiling
- Performance data Production numbers
- Drivetrain
- Engine development
- Turbocharger system
- Transmission
- Rolling Chassis
- Suspension development
- Brakes
- Wheels and tires
- Body
- Production process
- Flares, tails and equipment
- Paint colors
- Interior
- Seats, belts and trim
- Upholstery development and materials
- Driver controls and accessories
- Special Models
- Prototypes
- Motor Show introductions
- Style Porsche Studio specials
- Racing
- Carrera RSR Turbo 2.14
- Privateer Turbo 3.0 racing
- 934/934.5 development
- Homologation paperwork
- Accessories
- Delivery items
- Tool kits
- Luggage
- Literature
- Owner’s manuals
- Technical/service publications
- Marketing material
- Production Data
- Production records
- Assembly line changes
- Appendices
- Equipment
- Bibliography
- Acknowledgements
- Photo Credits
Publisher's Edition Special Features
The Turbo 3.0: Publisher's Edition is protected within a velour lined clamshell box with both a 20-page Behind the Scenes supplement as well as an "Parabolica Archives" archival folder. Included within the folder are various reproductions of original source documents, photographs, slides, contact sheets and other material discovered during research for the Turbo 3.0 book.
