One of the best parts about our hobby is that most all of us see potential in different pockets. In other words, you may love old T-bucket hot rods and I think split window VWs are cool as heck. There’s no wrong answer in most cases, aside from when people try to tell you their version of the hobby is the superior approach. Outside of those narcissists, seeing someone take a car like this 1978 Porsche 924 listed here on eBay and give it the show car treatment is the best part of our obsession, as it shows me, at least, you can appreciate the effort when the end result is as pristine as this car appears to be.
The seller is looking for an opening bid of $5,300 with a Buy-It-Now of just $7,150. This seems downright reasonable to me, especially since this 924 appears to be pretty tidy. The seller reports that the previous owner owned it for 40 years, and apparently treated it to a no-expense-spared restoration where the engine was removed in the process. While it’s hard to say exactly what was done, the paint looks so pristine that I wonder if it was resprayed at the same time. You could order a 924 in yellow, however, and I even had a neighbor growing up who drove one out of the showroom in this spectacular shade. Check out the rare “heckblende” panel between the taillights. The mag wheels are an interesting period-correct aftermarket design, but I can’t put my finger on exactly who makes them.
Known as “Rally Yellow”, it is one of the rarer colors offered in the lifespan of the 924. It was offered for just the first 2 years of 924 production, and was almost certainly a casualty of the shift away from such loud 70s-era shades. Most 924s you see are red, black, or white, so this one is a stand-out just for the paint job. But the rest of the 924 looks very clean, with the preferred 5-speed manual, nearly-mint bucket seats, the rare gauge package, and attractive brown and black plastic surfaces. Pure black would have been even more attractive, but seeing how stock the cabin remains, I’m glad the previous owner didn’t mess with it.
Seeing how uncluttered the engine bay remains is another positive indication of how detail-oriented the previous owner was. Now, I get it – there could be all sorts of loose ends and cheap workarounds up close, but from here, it looks like a solid representation of a 924 with small details like the factory engine bay stickers still in place. With 110 horsepower and 122 lb.-ft. of torque, acceleration was leisurely, but this car is all about the sensation of speed rather than all-out performance. The previous owner likely has far more that he could tell us about his obsession with this 924, so it’s a shame the current owner doesn’t have the same perspective; however, the included photo album documenting the restoration may likely fill in a few gaps. This 924 looks like a winner to me – do you agree?
Appliance Wheels – not as in “refrigerator” but as in the name of the company, “Appliance”. Had ‘em on my hopped up Mazda RX2. Sort of a poor man’s BBS basket weave, cast aluminum, one piece wheel. Japanese (Taiwanese?) I’m guessing. Kind of out-of-place on this. Nice car. Agree, Jeff, whatever floats one’s boat. It’s a broad hobby. I’ve learned to appreciate that from years of following Barn Finds.
Looks like it only has a 4 speed.I’d want to see/drive it first.
I drove a much later 924S,& was impressed on how well it drove
up Highway 101 to near Oregon.
The Porsche that shared its engine with the Gremlin. :)