My son recently discovered the classic Kenny Rogers song, “The Gambler.” It has been playing on a near-nonstop basis in our home for the past three weeks, so I currently know all the words by heart. It’s a fitting ballad for those of you considering owning this dirt-cheap 1979 Porsche 928 with the desirable manual transmission listed here on eBay with just one bid to $1,500. The seller notes he purchased it at a lien sale in California, so of course paperwork is limited and he has no key. He also notes it looks like someone attempted to remove the timing belt but didn’t get very far. Is it worth the risk?
I recently spoke with a colleague of mine who owned a 928 with the dominant transmission, that being the 4-speed automatic. The 928 was always positioned as more of a traditional grand tourer, so the automatic favored heavily in buyers’ equipment decisions. However, he lamented that the manual would have been the much preferred transmission in terms of driving enjoyment, and he ultimately sold the car because of having only two pedals. Many other Porsche enthusiasts agree that the 928 is one of those cars where the hyperbole can be believed when it comes to the manual gearbox otherwise transforming the car.
The trouble is a 928 is not a wise vehicle to buy when it’s clearly been as neglected as this car apparently has. The timing belt job is a must-do because the engine is an interference design, so if you ignore that critical maintenance item, you’re staring at a lovely boat anchor or future coffee table under the hood. Whatever happened to this 928 leading up to being sold at a lien sale wasn’t good, but one can hope (if you’re the gambling type) that the work didn’t progress too far before an aspiring mechanic decided he was in over his head. The interior shows some signs of attempted repair as well, with the center console partially removed and other loose trim.
Let’s talk about some good points, however: the cosmetics are more or less decent, with no obvious evidence of prior respray. I can still see the original paint code sticker in the door jam and it corresponds to what we see on the outside. The phone dial alloy wheels are in good condition, and the lenses and glass are intact as well. The engine produces 230 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque, and it was a strong performer in its day. Although I see some damage underneath from improper jacking, I also see no rust. The 928 is always a risky decision, but with the 5-speed manual, it could be worth a roll of the dice if the price stays low enough.
(If you’re the gambling type)..saw what you did there, Jeff!😁 “..know when to hold em, know when to fold em know when to walk away and know when to run..”
Best to read the dealer before you go for the pot here-if they’re straight and you’re willing to go all in look hard at what you’re winning before you make your play.
More than a few of us appreciate these for what they were and their potential. This one really will need a long hard look before the push-maybe a literal push, at that.
It seems there is always at least one 928 project for sale within a few hours drive of almost anywhere. I had a Euro version some years ago, and luckily had a friend in the Porsche parts business. I enjoyed the car and would consider another. If this car were local, I would want to see it in person.
If it goes cheap enough, buying it with intent to repair and drive it might be a gamble worth taking. You can also hedge your bet in that it would be a profitable car to part out.
If you gamble on this and have a net worth south of half a million or so, you would soon be in the gutter, hoping somone throws you a couple bucks for another shot of rot gut whiskey. No offense to fans of these, but this would not be a car I would want to take on as a project. These are very complicated and notoriously difficult to work on.
Not only that, it doesn’t make sense because these are cheap enough in nice condition and would keep you plenty busy just with maintenance if you’re looking to be hands on. And there’s only so much these are worth, especially these early cars, so you’re not going to get any of your money back out of it.
There’s gambling, and then there are sure things. I’ll bet the pot that this car will never see the open road again. It value is only as a parts car. I have had the honor of spending quite a bit of time behind the wheel of these. Man, so impressive back in the 1980’s. So fast for their day. So luxurious, especially the auto, although the manual is much more a driver’s car. One of the most wonderful automobiles ever conceived and constructed. Alas, even in their day, one of the most expensive to maintain; even more so today.
I’ll see your timing belt and raise you the sunroof delete and no body side moldings. The early single cam engines are non-interference units, so it has that going for it. No sunroof allows people taller than 5′-10″ to fit in the car. This project actually has a lot going for it and could easily return to the road.
I agree. The 928 looks so better in person, to me, than in the photos. You need a real Porsche Mechanic to look this over, and then you can gamble. If it was closer, I certainly would have a look.
They sure didn’t get far on that timing belt change. Took off the intake tubes and the belt covers and called it a day. With no sunroof, no rub strips and a 5 speed this poor thing is a good candidate for restoration by some brave soul with deep pockets.
Beautiful car. This was long before the Cayenne, and other SUVs. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember seeing the Porsche 928, the 944, etc.
Long comments! Let me save y’all
NIGHTMARE
To each, their own, Fran.
You would probably spend less money than buying and restoring an old neglected 928 by just stuffing $100,000 into a suitcase and lighting the suitcase on fire. But then you wouldn’t get to enjoy driving a 928.
LS swap it. It will wake up the GT soul of the beast. And you have a reliable, easily modified motor under the hood. If you consider this, talk with Renegade Hybrids-they’ve been in the business 30+ years.
I remember when I was in high school in the early ’80s and every boy who saw Risky Business wanted one of these cars. For a time the pre-facelift cars were worth more on the used market, with the difference in value being attributed by many to the car’s use in the film.
Sadly reality set in for many of those buyers in two ways: (1) Rebecca DeMornay wasn’t waiting for them, and (2) the repair bills.
Could have called this one “Risky Business” I hope its not the car that went into the drink in that flick.