Porsche 928 GT | Spotted
Car of the Year in 1978. Worth a punt in 2022?
There's a bit of me that still harbours resentment for the Porsche 928. It's the car that was designed to replace the 911, after all, and I've always struggled to forgive it for that. It's a bit like the liquid-metal T-1000 in Terminator 2, sent back to beat up the T-800. The T-1000 was newer and better in every way compared with Arnie, but that didn't stop us rooting for the original because it had developed a soul. And an Austrian accent.
This isn't fair, though. It wasn't the 928's fault. It hadn't conspired against the 911, it was just born to do a job. And in the end, like all the best Hollywood stories, the good guy came through to win the day while the interloper fell by the wayside. So thinking about it, it's the poor old 928 that deserves some sympathy. It was launched on the back of advertising that said 'More thought has gone into the design and creation of the dramatic Porsche 928 luxury sports coupé than perhaps any other car ever made'. And the hacks of the day agreed, because it was voted Car of the Year in 1978
It was seen as better than the 911 in every way. To prove it, it was more expensive than all bar the 930 Turbo. It came with an all-new, all-alloy, single-overhead-cam 4.5-litre V8 producing 240hp. That output clearly left some room for development but was good for a seven-second sprint to sixty, while 257lb ft of torque at 3,600rpm meant it you could waft effortlessly. But the 928 wasn't just a Jaguar XJ-S-style grand tourer. It was a Porsche, which meant it was designed to handle like a sports car.
The V8 was positioned well back behind the nose, and that wasn't the only nod to equitable mass. It was as if Porsche was determined to prove to the world that, at last, it had discovered the secret of weight distribution. It also stuck the gearbox (either a ZF five-speed manual or a three-speed auto) at the back with a torque tube linking the two. Elsewhere it was set-up with a sportier feel than the XJ-S or Mercedes SL, and, in another attempt to right the wrongs of the 911, the interior was designed ergonomically around the driver. All the buttons you needed were grouped sensibly on the centre console that continued between the front seats to include a supportive centre arm rest. And not only did the steering wheel adjust for height, but the instrument binnacle moved with it so you could always see the dials. This was cool stuff back then.
As the years progressed the V8 grew, gained double-overhead cams, 32-valves and, as a result, more power. The example featured here is the GT that was launched in 1989 with 5.0-litres and 330hp. It was intended as a halfway house between the two models it replaced - the Club Sport and SE. It had more equipment than a Club Sport but not as much as the S4, to keep the weight sensible. It also had a standard limited-slip diff and tyre pressure monitoring.
This Guards Red example is just one of 38 right-hand-drive manuals, so it's a rare thing indeed. The white Linen Leather is piped red (very 80s) and the car has covered 72,000 miles. Not long ago it had a new clutch and more recently a full service at AutoFarm. That included the all-important cambelt change. All of which should give its new owner some peace of mind and the ability to enjoy the 928 for what it is: a fantastic example of 70s design, which, just like the 911 it almost killed off, was fettled and improved continually in the best Porsche tradition. And while just shy of £50,000 might seem a lot when you consider what these cars were going for a few years ago, as one of the rarer three-pedal examples it's unlikely to prove a poor investment as the years roll on.
SPECIFICATION | PORSCHE 928 GT
Engine: 4,957cc, V8, naturally aspirated
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 330@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 317@4,100rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: N/A
Recorded mileage: 72,000
Year registered: 1990
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £49,995
Over the years I tried to like them as everyone else seemed to go potty, but while the facelifts did work and it looked better I never came close to wanting one, strange how first impressions do that to you.
Also strange how you remember some things, gosh '77 or '8 I guess!
For me it comes down to whether you can get a similar experience from something more modern.
Otherwise, the effort and cost of maintaining something this old and complicated can be hard to justify.
If you wanted a rare ish Porsche for around £50k, there's a lot of modern stuff to choose from - perhaps a manual Cayman, such as a 981 GTS. You'd get a warranty, could leave it outside in all weathers and not have to worry about potential unavailability of some parts.
Keep the miles low and you'd likely get most, or all of your money back.
I still get why someone will probably buy this, but the pull of nostalgia comes at a mighty steep price.
I have an unpopular opinion:
The Taycan is a greater existential threat to the 911 than the 928 ever was.
It will be nice to be proven wrong but the 911 might struggle to translate to the electric era.
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