One Thing That The Original Gemballa Avalanche Turbo Shares With The Lamborghini Countach

The video showcases the Gemballa Avalanche driving against some stunning backdrops around the city of Miami. With those Testarossa-style side strakes, outrageous bodywork, a massive wing, flashy wheels, and a pearlescent white paint job, the Avalance amplifies the already wild Porsche 911 Turbo, upon which it is based. Clearly then, the 1987 Gemballa Avalanche screams ’80s from a mile away. Originally equipped with a potent 369-HP Ruf engine and roof-mounted turbo and a 5-speed gearbox—unlike the standard 4-speed—the Avalanche wasn’t just for show. Its widebody kit and massive 315-section rear tires, borrowed from a Lamborghini Countach, helped manage the car’s notorious oversteer. According to John, an adjustable lip spoiler was also available.

As someone who has been working on and been around Gemballas from a very young age, John is lucky to own the Avalanche, which is incredibly rare, with only 14 believed to exist. Given its rarity, a well-maintained example can cost you up to $249,000, despite being nearly four decades old. There was also the Gemballa Cyrus which also debuted in 1984 and was based on the Porsche 930 Cabriolet. This model is even rarer, with only 10 examples believed to exist. In the flashy world of 1980s Miami, standing out was everything. From drug cartels to celebrities, the Gemballa Avalanche was the ultimate accessory for anyone seeking attention. It wasn’t just a car; it was a statement of excess and a symbol of an era. On a side note, if you’re digging the Miami-Vice style, but want something in a modern package, a third-generation Gemballa Avalance based on the 991 does exist.