Classic Car: Porsche 928

Porsche is known for the 911, a car that has been around since 1964. The 911 is known for having a flat-6 engine located in the back of the vehicle and is air-cooled. This is a radical design characteristic of the 911 because most engines are located in the front of the car or right behind the passengers. In 1977, Porsche produced the 928, the only grand tourer ever made by Porsche. The 928 was the only Porsche coupe to have V8 engine in the front and Porsche's first mass produced V8 powered model. The 928 was intended to replace the 911. Production for the 928 ceased in 1995, while the 911 is still being made today.

I first saw the Porsche 928 at the September edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. I saw it while I was walking back to my car. I think it is one of the best looking cars that Porsche has ever made. I rarely see a 928 on the road and I have seen the 928 at the April edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. 

The original 928, produced from 1977 to 1982, had a 4.5L V8 that produced 219 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque and came with a three-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. It could go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds and had a top speed of 151 mph. The 928 S, produced from 1983 to 1986, had two engine options. The 4.7L V8 produced 239 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque and came with a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. The 928 2 went from from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and reached a top speed of  154. In 1985, a 5.0L engine was put into the 928 S. It produced 284 hp in 1985 and 288 hp in 1986. The 928 S4, produced from 1987 to 1991, and the 928 GT, produced from 1989 to 1991, both came with a 5.0L V8 that produced 316 hp and 317 lb-ft  of torque. The 928 S4 came with a four-speed automatic transmission and the 928 GT came with a five-speed manual transmission. The 928 S4/GT went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 165 mph. The final model, 928 GTS, was produced from 1991 to 1995. The 5.4L V8 that came with the 928 GTS produced 345 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque and came with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. It went from 0 to 60 mph in 5.14 seconds and reached a top speed of 171 mph. The 928 was a fast car.

I have seen the Porsche 928 on Wheeler Dealers. Mike Brewer and Ed China bought one for 1600 pounds, spent another 3400 pounds to fix it up, and sold it for 6000 pounds. Top Gear had a Porsche Challenge where Jeremy Clarkson spent 1500 pounds on a 928 that had seen better days. It is playable in Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed, Chase HQ, Super Chase HQ, Super Chase: Criminal Termination, Scarface: The World is Yours, Ultimate Stunts, Sideswiped, and Re-Volt.

Final Thoughts: It is an unique Porsche. 61056 928s were produced. It is a classic sports car and as of the time I am writing, it is available on Auto Trader Classics with prices starting at $8000 and end at $37900. Just make sure you have a trusted mechanic when buying or owning a classic sports car. It is the best looking car Porsche has made. There are rumors that Porsche is bringing back the 928 and I would be in favor of the 928's revival.

CarJunkie

Photo taken from a camera phone