A front-engined GT was a real departure for Porsche.
Intended as a replacement for the 911, not all Porsche fans were enamoured by the idea of a front-engined GT diluting the brand. But the 928 was well-received by the motoring press, going on to win the Car of The Year Award in 1978. Debuting at the 1977 Geneva motor show, the 928 was launched with a 4.5-litre V8 engine pushing out a respectable 240bhp. The range developed with S2, S3, and S4 variants finally ending production in the mid 1990s with the GTS, while engines grew in size to 4.7 then 5.0-litre units. It is thought that around 18,000 928s were produced, however exact figures are hard to come by so that number may fluctuate to a small degree.
With some innovative design features and Porsche’s superb engineering and quality, the 928 makes a wonderful mile-eating GT (prodigious thirst aside). Despite the tiny rear seats, there is even an element of practicality, so if air-cooling doesn’t float your boat, the 928 could well be for you.
VITAL STATISTICS
Engine 4474cc/V8/DOHC
Power (bhp@rpm) 240bhp@5250rpm
Torque (lb ft@rpm) 268lb ft@3600rpm
Top speed 143mph
0-60mph 6.8sec
Consumption 20mpg
Gearbox 5-speed manual or 3-speed auto
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
BODYWORK & CHASSIS
A galvanised steel body with aluminium panels, which include the doors, front wings and bonnet, means that serious rust is rarely an issue. The body-coloured polyurethane bumpers were unusual at the time and not only contributed to the clean design, but improved aerodynamics too. Replacements for these and other body panels are becoming scarce and will be costly. Damaged tailgate seals can let water into the luggage compartment so feel around the carpet and side panels for any signs of damp. It is also worth checking that those pop-up headlamps work smoothly – replacing the relay can be a simple fix but a new motor will sting financially. Bodywork repairs on a car such as the 928 are a costly affair too, so a thorough check is to be recommended.
ENGINE
The powerful V8 is a tough unit and with regular care is capable of racking up huge mileages. Proper servicing is the key here though high costs led many to neglect this aspect of ownership. Check the service history carefully.
Under the bonnet, oil and coolant leaks are the main things to look for as overheating will lead to headgasket failure and a large repair bill. Make sure you see evidence of regular cambelt changes too; the 4.5-litre engine doesn’t suffer valve to piston contact in the event of belt failure, but replacement is a tricky and expensive task. Engine management system faults can cause misfires or lumpy running which can be hard to track down while replacing a corroded exhaust system is getting on for four figures. The 928 is not the ideal candidate for home servicing, but professional care will pay dividends.
RUNNING GEAR
The 928 uses a transaxle layout and there is a choice of 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmissions. Autos can suffer from a problem with incorrect tension and cracking of the flex-plate which is located at the flywheel. Incorrect setting leads to wear in the crankshaft thrust bearing and ultimately complete engine failure. Oil leaks from the transaxle casing are common, as are worn driveshaft bearings within the torque tube connecting engine and transaxle. Some specialists can replace the bearings separately rather than fitting a new tube, significantly reducing costs. That said both the auto and manual are tough. Suspension-wise, worn bushes in the cleverly-designed rear axle and leaking dampers are the main things to check for here. Worn brakes (particularly on autos), power-steering fluid leaks and uneven tyre wear are also things to look for. Replacement ‘telephone-dial’ alloys are hard to find now, but specialists can refurbish them for a reasonable cost.
INTERIOR
Niggling electrical problems and failed air-conditioning are the main issues, followed by temperamental central locking. The check-pattern ‘Pascha’ trim is almost impossible to get hold of now so a complete re-trim could be necessary if the condition is poor.
OUR VERDICT
The 928 is a fantastic example of the grand tourer breed, and that it flew in the face of Porsche convention of the time is reason enough for many people to buy one of these cars. Yes, maintenance costs can be high but that is to be expected at this level. Avoid the abused and neglected cars that languish in the classifieds and find one that has been looked after by a respected marque specialist. Do this and the 928 is likely to prove a satisfying and enjoyable ownership experience.