Porsche M491: the Turbo Look 911 Carrera 3.2 explained
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This record covers
- What the M491 Turbo Look option was
- What the package included
- Production and body styles by year
- How to verify a factory M491 car
Short answerPorsche option M491 is the factory Turbo Look package for the 911 Carrera 3.2, offered from 1984 to 1989 and sold in the UK as the Supersport. It gave a naturally aspirated Carrera the 930 Turbo’s wide wings, rear spoiler, wider wheels, suspension and brakes. It was coupé-only at launch; from the 1985 model year it was available on coupé, Targa and Cabriolet. Stuttcars counts about 1,397 M491 coupés. A genuine car shows M491 on its factory record.
- Option code
- M491documented
- Years
- 1984–1989documented
- UK name
- Supersportdocumented
- Total M491 cars, all bodies
- No consistent published figureunknown
The M491 is the most copied factory option of the 1980s 911. Wide Turbo bodywork kits were easy to buy and fit, so a wide-body Carrera is not automatically a Turbo Look car. The code on the factory record is what separates them.
What was the Porsche M491 option?
The Porsche M491 option was the factory Turbo Look package for the 911 Carrera 3.2. Introduced in 1984, it was the first time Porsche offered the 930 Turbo’s appearance and chassis hardware on a non-turbo 911. In the UK it was sold as the Supersport.
What did the M491 package include?
The M491 package included the Turbo’s hardware except its engine:
- Flared front and rear wings from the 930 Turbo
- The Turbo’s rear spoiler (deletable with M470)
- Wider wheels and tyres
- Turbo suspension components
- The Turbo’s larger brakes
The engine stayed the Carrera’s naturally aspirated 3.2-litre flat-six.
How many M491 Turbo Look cars were built?
| Figure | Source | Status |
|---|---|---|
| About 1,397 M491 coupés, 1984–1989 | Stuttcars | Documented, single source |
| 353 US-market coupés in 1984 | Stuttcars | Documented, single source |
| Coupé only in 1984 | Stuttcars | Documented |
| Coupé, Targa and Cabriolet from 1985 | Stuttcars | Documented |
| Total across all body styles | Varies | Unknown |
Stuttcars also notes that some 1984 Cabriolets were ordered with Turbo Look items without M491 appearing on their data sheets, one reason totals vary.
How do you verify a genuine M491?
You verify a genuine M491 by finding the code on the factory record, then checking the hardware matches.
- Decode the VIN and confirm a 1984–1989 911 Carrera on the Porsche VIN decoder. The Porsche options by VIN guide shows where the M491 code is recorded.
- Check the option sticker in the service booklet for M491.
- Order a Porsche Production Specification to confirm the factory options, as described in the Certificate of Authenticity guide.
- Inspect for Turbo suspension and brake components, not just wide panels.
A car with wide panels and no M491 on its record is a conversion. That can be a fine car, but it is not a factory Turbo Look. The same principle applies to the factory slant nose, and all M-codes are explained on the Porsche option codes page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Porsche M491?
M491 is the factory option code for the Turbo Look package on the 1984–1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2, combining 930 Turbo bodywork, wheels, suspension and brakes with the standard 3.2-litre naturally aspirated engine.
How many Porsche M491 Turbo Look cars were made?
Stuttcars reports about 1,397 M491 coupés from 1984 to 1989, including 353 US-market cars in 1984. Targa and Cabriolet Turbo Look cars are counted separately and figures vary.
Is M491 the same as Supersport?
Yes. In the UK the M491 Carrera was marketed as the Supersport, often abbreviated SSE.
What is M470 on a Turbo Look?
M470 deleted the rear spoilers on a Turbo Look car, giving a wide body without the Turbo’s tea-tray wing.