1985 Porsche 928S

Many of the improvements the 928 introduced were just not the kinds of things most owners were looking for—at least not in 1978

by Jim Schrager

Bonhams

Porsche's distinctive 928 was announced in 1977 and followed the pattern of the groundbreaking but underwhelming 924, with a forward-mounted, water-cooled engine. Although similar in basic layout, the 928 shared no components with the 924. The 928’s gently rounded 2+2 coupe coachwork was of steel monocoque construction with aluminum alloy doors, hood and rear hatch, and came with a six-year corrosion guarantee. The 928 was powered by a 90-degree V8 engine of 4.5 liters, with single overhead camshafts and fuel injection. It was available with both a five-speed manual and a three-speed automatic transmission. Its Weissach (say "vy-sock," named after Porsche’s proving grounds) independently sprung rear axle was a new safety feature, significantly enhancing high-speed stability. The 928S upped the ante with significantly enhanced performance from a 4.7-liter powerplant, developing 300 hp and providing a thoroughly exhilarating top speed of 152 mph. The car...