A Porsche 911 (930) Turbo formerly owned by Peter Grant is expected to fetch up to £180,000 at the NEC Classic Motor Show. The former music manager bought the car new in 1980, registering it with his number plate ‘BAD 1’, which was gifted to him by the members of Bad Company.
The ex-wrestler, who was described as “one of the shrewdest and most ruthless managers in rock history”, died of a heart attack in 1995. He is best known for managing Led Zeppelin, along with his role in improving the pay and conditions for rock musicians. The singer Phil Everly said: “Without his efforts, musicians had no careers. He was the first to make sure the artists came first and that we got paid and paid properly.”
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He was, in so many ways, a giant of the rock industry. The 6ft 5 Grant once said: “When it comes to ‘heavy management’, they don’t come any heavier than me.”
Grant used his incredible wealth to feed his love of cars. He bought a new Ferrari Dino 246 GTS in 1973 and commissioned Schuler (now Overfinch) to create a bespoke Range Rover. He also imported a Pierce-Arrow Model B Doctor’s Coupé to the UK, before picking up an Isotta Fraschini 8A at auction.
The 911 Turbo wasn’t his only Porsche. Grant ordered a 959 in wine red metallic with a tan leather/burgundy piping interior. Later, the car was purchased by Rowan Atkinson because it was the same color as his McLaren F1…
In Porsche circles – Grant was a member of Porsche Club GB – the car became known as ‘BADDIE’ and was seen at various events right up until his death. It also appeared on the front cover of RAW magazine (17 May 1989), with Grant standing alongside in a suitably badass manner.
After his death, the car passed to Grant’s son Warren and wore the ‘BAD 1’ number plate until 1998. Then, it was offered for sale at Duncan Hamilton & Co. Ltd, the same dealer that sold the car new in 1980. It passed through several hands, until the current vendor bought it in 2002.
Joe Watts, who consigned the car for Silverstone Auctions, said: “The car’s current owner has stored it in his garage/workshop, using it only a handful of times, covering just 2000 miles in the last 20 years; it now has 11,124 miles on the clock.
“It has not moved or been started for around 15 years and is believed to be largely original, as when Grant owned it, with perhaps the exception of the bonnet that may have been painted. It has recently had a full recommissioning (after coming out of hibernation) done in preparation to sell at auction, passing an MOT.”
Peter Grant had good taste. The 930 Turbo was built to satisfy Group 4 and 5 homologation requirements, with Porsche using a 3-liter flat-six with a single KKK turbo. A ‘whaletail’ rear spoiler and bigger tires were employed to ensure the driver could harness the 256bhp at their disposal, but that didn’t prevent the car from earning its “widowmaker” reputation.
As a 1980 car, Grant’s Porsche featured the larger, 3.3-liter engine with intercooler, with 917-derived brakes and a ‘tea-tray’ rear spoiler. According to the Hagerty Valuation Tool, a 1980 930 Turbo in concours condition should fetch around £143,000, but the provenance of this auction car should increase the final sale price.
Photos (L and R): Daniel Briston
We don’t want to, ahem, Ramble On, so if you’ve got a Whole Lotta Love for the Porsche, you can check out the description on the Silverstone Auctions website.
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