1979 Porsche 928 – Auction Car of the Week

When it comes to the notion of a successful failure, there is perhaps no better example in the automotive world than the Porsche 928. It was the car Porsche hoped would replace the legendary 911. The company thought the sun was setting on its rear-engined sports car, and having seen a decent uptake with the 924 – a more ‘conventional’ design – it was deemed that the company’s new flagship car should go the same way. And thus, the front-engined, water-cooled, rear wheel-drive 928 was born. A sleek, sexy, grand tourer, it was less hard-nosed than the 911 and Porsche hoped buyers would flock to it. Except, they didn’t.

That’s where the Porsche 928 becomes a success though. No, buyers weren’t flocking to it. Buyers of 911s, that is. However, the 928 attracted a new customer into dealerships, enough to justify the model’s existence, and to also allow Porsche to realise the 911 had plenty of life left in it. So, rather than replace a legend, the 928 would become one in its own right. Without the pressure of being the next big thing, the Porsche 928 was given chance to stand on its own alongside the other offerings of Porsche, and it succeeded. Talk about a wild start to life.

The Porsche 928 would stay in production until the early ’90s, such was its popularity. However, while any 928 is a glorious thing to behold, there is no denying that the early cars are the most sought after. Happily, that’s what we have here in the form of this 1979 Porsche 928 automatic. A vision in silver, this car is ready to be used and enjoyed, it has lived a life of care and attention and with just a little more work, it could be a bona fide show car.

Sitting proudly on its Teledial alloy wheels, this 1979 example has covered 129k over the course of its life, and to back that up it also has over £15,000 of receipts in its history file. It will come with a full year’s MOT and is only being sold as the owner – who has had the car since 2014 – needs to free up funds for a house. From what we can gather, they would much rather keep the 928, but such is life. Their loss is potentially your gain.

Let’s get one thing out of the way, one thing which is an important selling point in all reality. This car is and has always been a driver. By that, we don’t mean it works (though it does) we mean it’s been enjoyed in the way Porsche hoped it would be. The mileage reflects that. But that doesn’t mean it’s battered or tired, quite the opposite in fact. Over £5,000 has been spent on refurbishing the interior, including those amazing Pasha seats. The engine and transmission have been fettled and refreshed by a dedicated Porsche 928 specialist. The wheels have been refurbished and the body is arrow straight.

There are signs of life though. Some of the door rubbers are perished, there’s a bit of bubbling on the offside wing and bootlid, and there are some other bits that need minor, minor attention. But that’s the price one pays for having a car and using it properly, as it should be. Thanks to the support and following the 928 has, getting this thing utterly perfect is only a couple of clicks or calls away. But would you want to? There is an appeal, a welcoming usability that raises this 1979 Porsche 928 above the others. Still sharp, still handsome, but also on the key and ready and willing to go to the local shops or on a life-affirming road trip across Europe. And shouldn’t the be what a classic GT car is all about?