One of Porsche’s Rarest 911s Comes with a Formula One Engine

If you’re not already familiar with Lanzante, do yourself a favor and give the British outfit a look. As a specialist in everything from classic vehicle restoration and servicing to road homologation and motor racing, Lanzante has had a hand in some eye-catching (and truly historic) projects. 

Just take this Porsche 911, for instance. Though it started life as a 1988 930-generation model powered by a 3.3-liter air-cooled flat-six, Lanzante has since swapped the boxer for a V6 that’s heaped with Formula One history. 

RM Sotheby’s / Neil Fraser

TAG, you’re it

While Porsche isn’t currently active on the Formula One circuit, the German automaker served as the engine constructor for McLaren during the early 1980s. At the time, team principal Ron Dennis had just signed legendary driver Niki Lauda, and he needed a new turbocharged powerplant for the MP4/2 chassis.

Initially, Porsche reportedly had no interest in pursuing such a project. However, upon the involvement of Techniques d’Avant Garde Group S.A. (TAG) to finance the development of the TTE P01 engine, the automaker conceded. It’s a good thing, too — in 1983, Niki Lauda and Alain Prost went on to win 12 out of 16 races, resulting in a 1-2 finish in the drivers’ championship along with a constructor’s title for McLaren.

RM Sotheby’s / Neil Fraser

The dominance continued into 1984 and 1985, as Prost secured two further titles during those seasons. However, after 1987, McLaren switched to a Honda powerplant and Porsche withdrew from Formula 1. Rather than offering its V6 to other teams, the automaker instead decided to drop the engine in a road-going 930-generation 911 Turbo.

RM Sotheby’s / Neil Fraser

Lanzante original

Porsche created the V6-swapped 911 as a gift to celebrate the end of its partnership with McLaren. Painted in all white, the car would have looked like any other custom 911 of the era were it not for the two large radiators tucked behind the front grille as well as the intercoolers hidden under the rear spoiler.

Even still, Dean Lanzante (son of the firm’s founder, Paul Lanzante) supposedly got wind of this V6-powered 930 Turbo some years later and tried to buy the car for himself. Though McLaren would have none of it, the determined Brit managed to source 11 engine blocks from the discontinued TAG-Porsche program. 

RM Sotheby’s / Neil Fraser

With the help of Cosworth, Lanzante then prepared each turbocharged 1.5-liter V6 for road use, installing the engines in 930-generation 911 donor cars as a tribute to the original. Along with making a claimed 500-700 horsepower, the resulting TAG Turbos shaved almost 120 pounds off the factory curb weight thanks to F1-grade carbon fiber body panels. 

RM Sotheby’s / Neil Fraser

Up for auction

The example shown today is one of the 11 Lanzante TAG Turbos completed as part of the run. Like its counterparts, the car is packed with Formula One significance.

That’s because it features engine serial number TTE P01 051 — the same V6 that powered Alain Prost’s MP4/2 at the 1986 German Grand Prix along with the 1987 Hungarian and Japanese Grands Prix. Because the Frenchman’s best result with the engine came in the form of a third place finish at the Hungaroring, Lanzante dubbed the car “AP87.”

RM Sotheby’s / Neil Fraser

As it so happens, AP87 is slated for sale at the upcoming RM Sotheby’s Monterrey auction this August. Showing just over 301 miles on the odometer and adorned with a tartan interior, it’s a well-preserved 911 that’s as rare and unique as they come. You can check out the listing here to learn more.

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