1979 Porsche 928 Coupe

Description

Porsche’s radical new flagship 928 model was a complete break with tradition for the Zuffenhausen marque, combining futuristic styling and a front-engine layout with a water-cooled V8 mated to a rear transaxle for perfect weight distribution.  Designed for high speed autobahns cruising, the majority of 928s were specified with automatic gearboxes but the new Porsche was a capable performer when the road got a little twisty – it should be noted that a majority of the factory’s test drivers chose the 928 as their company car.  A grand tourer par excellence, the 928 was well received by the motoring press and voted European Car of the Year in 1978.  Employing the latest Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, the superb M28 SOHC 4.5-litre V8 developed a healthy 240bhp at 5250rpm, enough to propel the 928 to a top speed of around 250 km/h.  The Porsche had superbly weighted steering, excellent handling characteristics thanks to perfect 50/50 weight distribution and typically Teutonic build quality.  The outer structure was made from steel, using alloy doors, front wings and bonnet to save weight.  The interior of the first generation 928 was generously equipped and finished in black/white Houndstooth, Tartan cloth or leather upholstery.  Offering greater luxury and more practicality than the 911 it set out to replace, Porsche’s 928 soon carved itself a sizeable niche in the high-performance GT market and remained a strong seller until production came to an end in 1995.  For so long underappreciated and held down by high mileage cars with dubious histories, values of 928s have finally begun to m ove but they remain something of a bargain in the Porsche world.