JAPAN'S FIRST TURBO

Japan's First Turbo

Ryota Asaoka tells the story of uncovering a very special Porsche 930.

Discovered by Rendez-Vous Tokyo under layers of dust and an old car cover, it isn’t quite the arc of the covenant, but it’s not far off either. The chassis number confirms it as the 51st Porsche 911 Turbo ever made and the first one that MIZWA, Japan’s official Porsche importer at the time, handed to a customer in 1975. Fifty years later, it’s finally back on the road. Ryota Asaoka told us the story of getting it this far.

“When I discovered the car, it had been sitting untouched for close to 20 years. A cover had protected the body, which remained remarkably well preserved, but the cabin was heavy with the scent of mould. The engine hadn’t been started once in that time, so our first step was to completely overhaul the fuel system and bring the drivetrain back to life. We went on to rebuild the engine and mechanical systems, and replace the brake and suspension components.

The exterior remains in its original paint, which we were fortunate to preserve. Inside, I made a conscious decision to prioritise originality too, so aside from a careful deep clean and new covers on the sun visors, all remains exactly as it was.

The car’s chassis number is key to its authenticity. According to MIZWA documentation, 930 Turbo number 50 and 51 were the first two delivered to Japan. 50 was used as a demonstrator, but this car was the first delivered to a private owner.

When I brought the car to the MIZWA workshop, the atmosphere was unmistakable. The mechanics became quiet, almost reverent. They didn’t say much, but the expressions on their faces as they touched and examined the car said everything.”

According to Ryota, restoring Japan’s first ever Porsche 911 Turbo was an effort of a year and a half. Through his contacts he was able to enlist help from former MIZWA mechanics, and while none of them were quite around long enough to remember this car when it was new, that didn’t stop them from appreciating the sheer significance of the project.

“It is, as far as we can confirm, the very first 930 Turbo to arrive in Japan.”

“This was a true one-owner car. The gentleman who bought it new kept it for life, storing it away once he became unable to drive due to age and health. When he passed, his son contacted me during the estate clearing and from there the project was born. The owner was a doctor based in Kyushu, there’s a beautiful nameplate on the passenger glovebox with his name. According to his son, MIZWA mechanics regularly visited their home for on-site maintenance, which speaks to the care this car received over the decades.

By March of next year I plan to make a decision about the car’s future. Given the car’s historical significance in the context of Porsche in Japan, my hope is that it will remain here, ideally in the care of an enthusiast who understands not only its rarity, but its story too.”