The Porsche 928, sadly, is always on the cusp of becoming a parts car if it’s rough shape. Despite the rapid rise in prices for anything with the Porsche crest on the hood, it hasn’t elevated models like the 928 and 924 past parts car status if it has been neglected. This is a desirable 928 S4 model with a rare white leather interior, but the seller seems fairly confident the best use of this tired GT will be as a parts rig. However, in addition to the rare interior scheme, it is also a desirable manual transmission car, so it has a few things going for it. Find the 928 S4 here on eBay where bidding is at $6,100 with no reserve.
First of all, what an awesome garage. Did you see what other Porsches are lurking in the background? This is a man with good taste and an eye for clever storage arrangements. The bidding tells me that this 928 is not headed for parts car heaven; it is going to be put back on the road. The reason for this is that trashed 928s are not hard to find. They still end up in salvage yards and occasionally on craigslist for well under $5,000. The 928 is an extremely costly car to set right, so buying one for peanuts is almost always because someone wants to yank the gearbox for their own car. In this case, however, this is way more than you should pay for a used 928 manual transmission, so I have to believe at least two bidders have their eye on restoration.
The interior is definitely a reason to fight for this 928’s survival, as white-on-white is as good as it gets for an iconic 80s GT car. And even though this is a money pit of a project, it’s far from the most trashed 928 I’ve ever seen. This car has surely been neglected and the desirable white leather is stained in places; in fact, it looks like rust-stained water from where I’m sitting, so it makes you wonder if it’s been coming in through the sunroof. All that speculation aside, it’s still not that bad for a 928 that has clearly been left to the elements for a few months if not years. The seller does state it was in “storage” for 10 years and given the car is in Florida and not completely trashed by the sun, it was almost certainly stored indoors.
But yikes – that engine bay. This is not pretty, by any stretch, and I’m slightly surprised to see the engine compartment is so filthy considering the interior doesn’t look all that bad. The seller does note that the engine turns freely and the transmission goes through all the gears, so it’s certainly not a lost cause by any means. But this will surely be a labor of love and the investment of time and money to make it run and drive again will almost certainly outpace the model’s average values. The later 928 GTS is a model worth rescuing if it were ever found in similar condition; I’m not sure where I stand on this one, aside from wanting to see a manual transmission-equipped 928 saved and a rare color scheme live to see another day.
The triple white screams 1980’s and a lot can be done to the seats if the leather isn’t too far gone. My friend cleaned and dyed his seats in a S4 and they came out looking new again. Those were a special off white color. Manual is the one to have. I agree Jeff looks like someone is bidding to put this back on the road. If the color combination and a manual transmission is what you want and you don’t mind spending a lot of money and sweat equity this might be your car. With the current market you might up spending more than it’s worth.
Another great find for my imaginary dream car garage with padded walls and a straight jacket:. Porsche 928, mid 80’s Jag xj-s v-12 (Baurer roof), BMW 633 (Moonlighting), Maserati sedan (Rocky), Aston Martin Lagonda, Citroen CXA,
…toss in a Land Rover and something Russian for extra frustration!
All I can say is WOW. That color combo is awesome. It needs to be saved.
I had a black/black 5 speed 928 back in the 1990’s when I was in my twenties. Driving in that car was like putting on a superman cape, it transformed even the most dull man into a wealthy, handsome, privileged, snobby, aristocrat…
Probably should buy one in already nice shape. Most cars today that get restored by a shop end up costing more than they are worth. This one might make it though, you just have to be prepared to stop bidding before you get caught up in the fever of it all. Keep a cool head or someone will get your wallet.
Had the chance to pick one of these up also in white with tan leather, but when the guy showed up the car was lopsided, listing to the right several degrees. He wanted 10k and I figured either frame or suspension re-do would be too costly. I love these 928’s which get no respect. Seems like a afterthought of Porsche design history. Parts are not so easy to find and a engine rebuild will cost thousands. I say run away on this one.
I’ve always loved 928’s, nicest driving Porsche of their era. They weren’t beautiful and they had more than their share of “issues”. The two cam motored cars were pigs and may have had one of the worst fuel consumptions ever. If your going to restore one of these, plan on keeping it or selling it for a loss because the Porsche “cognoscenti” have poisoned the market with their prejudice regarding this car.
Porsche snobs believe the only “real” Porsche is a 911. I always loved the look of these but in order to love it, you have to view it with a mind set that it isn’t a 911 and it was never meant to be one. Having said that, it’s more of a money pit than a 911 because you’ll never even get your investment dollars back on a really nice one. Porsche lovers don’t care about these so why not make it better and drop a Coyote in it? If I could find a nice roller with a bad engine for a couple grand, that’s what I would do. Same displacement but way better in every way.
I think the tail section was a design fail
Many things to consider. Probably can be fixed $$$$$$$
Manual transmission helps it a ton.
Not sure if you can get that year without the sunroof but that would be the best option not to have. I had two 928’s and the one without the sunroof was by far a nicer drive because of headroom alone! Given the choice I would choose an automatic with no sunroof! Both my cars had the manual. The manual was just plain stupid even though they justified it.
FYI that is not just a tape up the windows and paint it either, more like a remove every window and every weatherstripping remove the noise and tail side windows. Then you can repaint it you want it right.
And we have not even began on the mechanical aspect.
Hence PARTS CAR
Was sold for $9700.00 on 2/11
SOLD for $9,700 – for this?
I had a 80 or 81 S4 and loved driving the car it was quiet and extremely comfortable and at the time it performed good 155 MPH top. I had to replace the clutch during my ownership but had no problems with anything else. I enjoyed the car a lot it was a 5 speed manual and drove beautifully!
The S4 was released in 1987.
Nobody mentioned anything about the LS swap kit available for these?
I didn’t mention an LS swap but that was my first thought.
Putting that in it would steal its soul….Have you ever just watched a 928’s engine idling? It is art seeing the belts moving and that beautiful engine running……I know the performance would be better with a ch-evy, but no personality and the exhaust sound would be as ugly as a new corvette rear end and as ugly as a whole camaro…..UGGGGG!
A coyote swap would be more exotic but more expensive. Ford did beat Ferrari by a few laps at LeMan though.
Oh I didn’t know there was an LS kit available. I mentioned the Coyote which would cost more but yes an LS would be perfect for this too. The 302.5 Porsche plant is definitely a nice mill and would be nice to save it but the parts for these cars are just so expensive.
https://renegadehybrids.com/928ls.html
I was all impressed, looking at the cars in his garage, that looked to be in fine shape from what I could see. Then I saw the engine bay shot on this 928, and thought “WHAT ?!? you couldn’t even clean it up, at least clear out the vegetation debris ??? ” looks like his attitude really soured at some point on this vehicle.
I worked on a few of these back in the day, they were ridiculously expensive to maintain but were really nice to drive when they were running right. I always said Porsche should have extended the wheelbase and made a 4 door “touring” version since it wasn’t generally considered a “sports car” anyway. But Porsche insisted on making press releases saying “Ve vill NEVER build a 4 door car, because it wouldn’t fit in with the Porsche Philosophy and no self respecting driver would ever drive a 4-door car”. Now we have Porsche SUVs and a Porsche 4 door sedan.
Even Porsche will prostitute itself for profit. SUVs and 4-doors are trash. Add pick ups to that list too.
First. Thank you BF for finally making it easer to reply to someone!
Second I had a few 928’s. If they are not a running rust free car, they are a parts car. And if you have a chance to buy a restored one DONE PROPERLY buy it cuz you cannot do one yourself.
Also if today they made a pick up maybe from a macan or something I would like that. Kinda like Honda’s so called pickup.
My macan gts I had was more fun than you can imagine.
I have a chance to get a nice 89, but there are sooooo many cars that now thrill me more!
As far as a LS motor idea? STUPID comes to my mind.
Sorry, tuff love
I really really like 928’s
But sadly another higher end car out of my reach
I could work on it myself, but as seen here even the ones needing work come in at too high a price
And yea, one with dead/no engine would be a great candidate for a Renegade Hybrids LS swap, no doubt
ditto,
the lowest priced model, now onto frt motor’n H2O (my preference), such a better looking car (style is subjective, I no). The one to have.
This condition duz not scare me, not happy w/the white on white but might sell better (after restore & 1 – 2 yrs use). It’s at the ‘no-go’ phase when rising past 5, 6K$ tho~