1987 Porsche 928 Series 4

Highlights

• 22,000 miles from new
• Just four owners – and the first three were doctors
• Superb and largely original condition inside and out
• Glorious all-alloy DOHC 32-valve V8 rated at 320hp
• Complete with lots of history and documentation

Overview

We all trust our doctor, right? After all, a good medical practitioner has an eye for detail and a good grasp of machines – albeit biological ones. But do those two qualities translate to their choice of cars as well? Well, just feast your eyes on this Porsche 928 S4 for the answer. Its first three owners (it’s had just four in total, by the way) were apparently all doctors. They each had an eye for a great car that’s for sure, because that’s what any 928 is.

Anyone who knows their stuff knows a 928 is a proper thing. A car full of exquisite details that make it the archetypal modern classic. There’s its pioneering aerodynamic shape for a start. That gave the 928 a drag coefficient of 0.34, thanks in part to those iconic, round, pop-up headlights, and also its fully integrated front and rear bumpers. It’s not only slippery through the air, mind – it also means the 928’s shape carries a futuristic air even now.

This considered design continued to the interior, too, which focused on ergonomics much more than many of its rivals. Take the wrap-around dashboard, for instance, with an instrument binnacle that moves up and down with the adjustable steering wheel. It meant that the driver could always see the dials while finding that ‘just so’ driving position. And being a hairy-chested grand tourer it came bristling with luxuries that helped the miles roll by.

In the case of this 1988 model year S4 those included powered, leather-trimmed heated front seats, an electric sunroof and automatic climate control. So yes, this trio of quacks certainly had an eye for detail and they appear to have bestowed some serious levels of care on their prized car as well.

For a start, it’s had limited use. The current mileage stands at just 22,000, which is remarkably low for a car that’s over 35 years old. And such judicious use over that time has translated into a car that remains in fine shape today, with lots of history to back it up. This really is a rare opportunity to bid on a car that should look after you thanks to the way it’s been looked after until now.

History and documentation

• Registered 15th October 1987
• Full document pack with the original wallet
• Large history file including invoices for maintenance and repair, documents relating to the car, along with MOTs dating back to 2001
• Two keys
• Current MOT with no advisories expires 29th September 2024
• V5 present in owner’s name
• This car has had a finance agreement in place but that is now paid off
• It is HPI clear
• Four owners from new
• Mileage at the time of photography was 22,342

Interior

• Features include automatic climate control, electric windows, heated and electrically powered front seats with memory function, electric mirrors, electric sunroof and modern Pioneer head unit
• The interior presents in very good condition for the year; the blue leather has no obvious rips and the driver’s seat just has a lovely patina to the leather rather than actual issue
• The dashboard and door cards are remarkably well kept, with no apparent cracking or unsightly marks
• The blue carpets are also in good condition – they just need some tidying in the driver’s footwell to return the interior to tip-top condition
• This car still has its original tool kit
• Practical 2+2 seating means the 928 is a car that can be enjoyed by the whole family
• Well-presented luggage compartment includes the original luggage net
• There is no report of anything not working as it should

Exterior

• Metallic blue paintwork is in superb condition judging from the photographs, with no serious dings, dents, scratches or scuffs
• The galvanised bodywork appears to have done the trick – there’s no evidence of corrosion bubbling up from what we can see
• The only issues we can see are minor: some light rust on the exhaust tip and missing paint on the edge of the boot spoiler
• The front and rear light lenses appear to be free of cracks and UV damage
• All four 16-inch flat-face alloy wheels seem in great condition with no noticeable kerb damage or corrosion
• All the panel gaps look as uniform they should
• Those pop-up headlights reportedly work and appear to be aligned correctly, too
• The underbody looks solid with no serious corrosion showing and good underseal evident

Mechanical

• 4,957cc, 32 valves, double overhead cams, all-alloy, naturally aspirated V8
• Originally rated at 320hp at 6,000rpm and 317lb ft at 3,000rpm
• Performance was 162mph flat out and 0-60mph in under six seconds
• Four-speed automatic transmission perfect for long-distance cruising
• Transaxle transmission for near-perfect weight distribution and rear-wheel drive
• The engine bay is tidy and original as far as we can determine – just what you want to see
• According to the vendor, there’s nothing untoward mechanically and this S4 still produces ‘thunderous acceleration’ under power and ‘wrenching deceleration’ under braking

Summary

Porsche 928s are now well out of the shadow of the 911 and blossoming in the limelight. And they’re finding favour among enthusiasts on their own terms – as proper Porsches from an era that produced a unique and compelling design that’s remarkable even today.

What’s so wonderful about the 928 is how useable it is, with a cosseting and well-appointed interior and, in the case of this S4, a deliciously rich, exciting and grunty V8. But to find a car as well preserved and presented as this one, in the right colour and with such low mileage, is a rare treat not to be missed.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located near Dumfries, South West Scotland.