In the world of motorsport, few stories bridge the gap between victory and mythology like the tale of Bill and Don Whittington—and few automobiles embody that narrative more completely than this 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo, now offered through K. Watts & Co. This particular car wasn’t just another 930 Turbo rolling off the Stuttgart line; it was a personal gift from Ferry Porsche himself, presented to Bill Whittington in recognition of the team’s stunning overall win at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans—Porsche’s only outright triumph with a rear-engined, 911-based car.
Porsche’s Greatest Le Mans Triumph
That rain-soaked race at Le Mans has long since passed into legend. Driving the Kremer Racing 935, Bill and Don Whittington, alongside German endurance ace Klaus Ludwig, overcame torrential weather, mechanical crises, and exhaustion to take an improbable victory. At one point, a failed fuel-injection belt stranded the car in the dark. Don Whittington’s roadside repair—reportedly using little more than duct tape and raw determination—became a defining moment of endurance racing history. Against every odd, the car returned to the circuit, clawed back time, and ultimately secured Porsche’s most romantic Le Mans win.
The Whittington brothers’ triumph marked not only a personal milestone, but also a pivotal moment for Porsche: a validation of the 911’s rear-engine design at the world’s toughest endurance event. This win remains singular in the marque’s history—a triumph of ingenuity and willpower that stands as a defining chapter in the Porsche legacy.
A Personal Gift from Ferry Porsche
To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, Ferry Porsche invited the Whittington brothers to his home. In a gesture reserved for heroes of the brand, he personally presented each with a new 930 Turbo, Porsche’s flagship road car of the era. The car now offered by K. Watts & Co. is that very example given to Bill Whittington, preserved like a time capsule from the golden age of turbocharged performance.
With just 6,011 original miles, the car remains in breathtakingly original condition. The factory black paint still gleams under a layer of protective clear film, while the Cork leather interior presents with near-new texture and color. Every detail—from the stitching of the seats to the sheen of the switchgear—speaks of preservation rather than restoration.
An Heirloom of Racing Royalty
To ensure continued perfection, the 911 recently received over $15,000 in mechanical servicing, including dry-ice chassis cleaning and new Pirelli P7 tires, the same specification favored by period Turbo owners. The sale includes its full complement of books, tools, original brochures, and perhaps most impressively, the actual 1979 Le Mans trophy! This is the only trophy ever awarded to the owner of a rear-engined, production-based Porsche. Just like the car, this is a unique opportunity—as this has not happened since.
The car’s ownership history and minimal mileage set it apart, but its historical weight is what makes it truly irreplaceable. This is not merely a preserved Turbo; it’s the ultimate gift from Ferry Porsche for proving his 911 design was a winner, connecting the 930’s raw turbocharged character with the ethos of competition that defined the brand.
The Whittington Legacy and American Speed
The Whittington brothers’ story is as wild and complex as the race itself. Their exploits at Le Mans, in IMSA, and even in the Indianapolis 500 turned them into racing folk heroes—men who lived fast, raced hard, and blurred the line between legend and controversy. Their tale is now being adapted for the screen in the upcoming film American Speed, reportedly starring Tom Holland and Austin Butler, and produced by Charles Roven, known for Oppenheimer.
The film will explore the duality of the Whittingtons: Le Mans winners by day, and alleged participants in a vast 1980s smuggling network by night. It’s a story that has captivated motorsport historians and filmmakers alike, illuminating an era where IMSA’s wild west of racing excess intertwined with underground wealth and risk. This Porsche sits squarely in the middle of that mythology—both a trophy of triumph and a silent witness to one of racing’s most unbelievable sagas.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
For the discerning collector, this 1979 Porsche 911 Turbo represents something far greater than rarity. It is a symbol of Porsche’s defiance, dominance, and devotion to the 911’s unorthodox engineering philosophy. It carries with it the direct imprint of Ferry Porsche, the spirit of Le Mans glory, and the complicated charisma of the Whittington brothers.
Offered by inquiry only, this car transcends its mechanical form to become a historical artifact—a singular intersection of performance and provenance unlikely ever to be repeated.
To view the full gallery and specifications, visit the official K. Watts & Co. listing here.
