The TAG Turbo. A highly modified 930 fitted with a 1.5L V6 Formula 1 engine built by Porsche’s Hans Mezger. What else is there to say? Well, there is definitely more to say thanks to Dean Lanzante - winner of the 1995 Le Mans race and owner of Lanzante Limited. Porsche and Mclaren had an engine partnership between the years of 1983 and 1987 for Mclaren’s Formula 1 Chassis MP4/2 and MP4/3. Hans Mezger led the engineering behind the masterful engine that helped Mclaren stack up the ‘84 and ‘85 championship victories. Mclaren used a 930 Turbo 911 for a test mule with the engine. This is where the whole TAG Turbo 930 project came from. A wild test mule.

Dean has gone on to replicate this test mule with a perfect collaboration of modern technology and historical feel. Creating 11 of the 930 TAG Turbos with a total of 4 extra engines on the side for emergencies. I got the rare chance to “host” Mr. Dean Lanzante and one of his techs in the back shop at Porsche of Naples. I was working as their classic tech at the time. Dean, his wife and his tech flew down for a “Two bird, one stone” type of thing. They came down to Florida for the Miami GP and to service one of the customer TAG Turbos that had a timing cover leak. What better place to hide and work on a TAG Turbo than the back shop of Naples’ Premier Porsche Dealership? I was able to test drive the car when it first arrived. Something I’m not sure I’ll ever get a chance to do again.

Seeing, hearing and feeling the car on the road was a testament to how Lanzante is operated as a shop. The car was analog in the most driver-oriented way. Just like a factory 930 would be. The sound at idle was just a mess of timing gear noise with a hint of exhaust note. Driving the car has a very unique sound and there was no unpleasant-ness within the cabin of the car while in motion. The chassis was stiff, sure, but no real exhaust droning was present. The clutch was a very stiff engagement and required focus to not stall. The seats were re-upholstered factory equipment Porsche seats. Door cards, gauges and dashboard were all as if the car was just a clean example of a 930. Embroidered in the headrests was “TAG Turbo”. The shifter was damn near the only thing that was “off” inside the car. “Off”, but not overdone. The exterior of the car was an iconic 930 wide body shape. The bumpers, wing and color of the car were a clear message that this was not a 930 Turbo. Although, when I was called to the front of the dealership when the car arrived, I was told that there is a 930 waiting for me to inspect. So maybe the TAG Turbo still has some discreet looks to it. You’ll have to see the pictures below…I cannot do Lanzante’s car justice with words.

Overall, The Lanzante TAG Turbo is the right way to “restomod” a car if the budget doesn’t matter. This is one for the books.