The Porsche 928 Forums

Porsche’s rear-engined 911 has long been considered the essence of sports cars; yet in contrast to this iconoclastic car, few have taken much notice of Porsche’s muscular 928. Still, sharp-end car designers often cite references to this rather strange vehicle in their work as inspirations.

At its launch, the original 928 raised eyebrows among true enthusiasts by being presented as the successor to the 911. And as this wide Audi shows, its presence did indeed cause much debate on track.

1. Porsche 928 Forum

There has been an incredible surge of enthusiasm for the Porsche 928, an exquisite V8 grand touring car once seen only as the back of movie posters. This forum provides owners and fans of this grand touring vehicle an outlet to exchange tips, advice and pictures related to ownership or modification/restoration projects; its forums contain info regarding maintenance/modification/restoration projects while there are even forums dedicated to specific aspects such as suspension/paintwork and engine performance issues.

Early 928s could be difficult to come by in great condition. Now they are an increasingly sought-after collector’s item. When looking for one in good condition, find one with low mileage that has been maintained properly, is rust-free, has no signs of accidents and damage, quality body panels and paint that has not faded over time, as well as a vacuum system running various mechanisms including door locks – an indicator that the car was involved in any accidents or not.

Porsche first conceptualized a big, comfortable water-cooled sports car when creating its rear engined 928 in June 1971. That drawing specifies an engine displacement between five to six liters with two cams per cylinder bank; due to the Arab oil embargo this was reduced to 4.5 liters by late 1972.

Due to the success of the 928 in the United States, many were purchased with automatic transmissions renowned for their smooth upshifts and downshifts. Furthermore, its braking system proved highly reliable with readily available replacement pads and rotors at relatively inexpensive costs compared with its price point.

At its introduction, the 928 caused considerable dismay among true Porsche enthusiasts because it was intended as an upgrade from the 911. Although both vehicles shared many similar traits, it was clear that its counterpart had more panache. Had Porsche simply released it as its own model instead, perhaps more would have appreciated its unique character.

2. Porsche 928 Owners Club

The Porsche 928 Owners Club is dedicated to keeping the 928 alive and well both as a driver’s car and collectible item. Their aim is to create an environment in which owners can share experiences, learn from one another, connect with fellow enthusiasts and exchange knowledge. As well as social activities for members, this club offers valuable technical support services for owners of 928s.

The club’s forums are dedicated to assisting 928 owners with maintenance, restoration and repair issues for their vehicle. Experts are available to answer questions and new resources are added regularly so your Shark stays in peak condition. In addition, annual events such as Rendezvous 928 – Sharks Discover Columbus and 928 Frenzy take place annually as well.

Although some diehard Porsche fans might frown upon the 928 due to its original positioning as an eventual 911 successor, it remains an impressive car. Produced for 17 years before production ended and with speeds that still outpaced those offered on other markets at that time.

Although its long life has passed, the Porsche 928 remains rare today and its popularity continues to increase. The car’s powerful V8 engine pairs perfectly with an automatic transmission for an enjoyable drive; however, its rare manual variant is becoming increasingly sought-after; an S4 with 52,000 miles recently fetching over PS30K at auction.

3. Porsche 928 Forums

If you fell in love with the Porsche 928 while watching Risky Business, Scarface or Weird Science as a child and fell for its grand touring design as an adult, perhaps now is the time to purchase one instead of just admiring posters of it on your wall. These grand touring cars are one of the collector car world’s best-kept secrets and their popularity among buyers continues to increase; here are a few factors you should keep in mind before investing in one:

First, search for original body (OB) models dating from 1978 to 1982. These classic examples offer an exciting driving experience due to lower center of gravity and more space inside, making long drives more comfortable than later cars. But finding an unaltered OB with few miles on its clock may prove challenging.

Careful consideration must also be paid to the mechanical condition of the car, especially its automatic transmission – specifically that made by Mercedes for the 928. Routine maintenance and fluid replacement should be provided regularly, and you should inspect body lines, panel fit and paint depth and color depth as a way of discovering more information about its history.

At launch, the 928’s V8 displaced 4.5-litres and produced 240hp, representing a significant decrease from its prototype’s 306hp output; Porsche reduced this figure in order to meet emissions standards. Over its long production run however, incremental upgrades increased output gradually up to 296hp for 1980 S4, 316hp with 1992 GTS S4 models and finally 345hp with its ultimate 5.4-litre GTS of 1993.

4. Porsche 928 Forums Australia

The Porsche 928 caused some consternation among true 911 enthusiasts as it was rear-engined and thus considered inferior model. Yet no one could deny its supercar status: with its powerful 176 kW 4.5-litre single overhead camshaft all-alloy V8, driving through either a three-speed auto or five-speed manual gearbox it could reach 100 km/h in less than seven seconds and top speeds exceeding 220 km/h.

This car featured independent front and rear suspensions, four-piston brake callipers and a large capacity hydraulically operated clutch and differential. Furthermore, an optional Porsche-designed four speaker sound system was also installed as well as air conditioning, cloth seats and power adjustable driver’s side mirror. A driver airbag was an available add-on feature.

Starting in 1986, a dual overhead camshaft 5.0-litre engine was fitted, which allowed it to use lower octane fuel without impairing performance. Braking performance was further improved through fitting larger brake callipers and slotted front rotors; and four-speed auto replaced earlier three-speed auto models before five-speed manual was made available in 1985.

An impressive and innovative aspect of this car was its self-steering mechanism, making it easier to use in tight parking lots or when turning at high speeds. Furthermore, a Porsche-designed rear traction control device added additional stability on challenging road conditions.

While the 928 was an extremely fast and capable car, it suffered from several issues. Its rear-mounted traction control system often caused front end wandering; and its turbocharger sometimes developed internal issues requiring extensive work to repair. Furthermore, head gaskets in its engine were susceptible to failure due to design flaws; when this happened oil would leak out and cause catastrophic engine damage. To prevent this happening again it’s vital that oil levels in your car remain at an appropriate level or you change it regularly – keeping its level regularly topped up and changing it regularly will help!