The Porsche 928 profile

Few cars from the Zuffenhausen sports car manufacturer have caused as much discussion as the Porsche 928 did in the 1970s. Developed as the successor to the Porsche 911, it was introduced in 1977 as a totally new concept for the marque.

In 1978 it became the first sports car to be voted Car of the Year in Europe. As a genuine GT with rear seats, the Porsche 928 was equipped far more luxuriously than its rear-engined predecessor.

Instead of the traditional air-cooled boxer engine, the 928 used a water-cooled V8 with a displacement of up to 5.4 litres. The transmission was mounted on the rear axle, as was the case with the Porsche 924, 944 and its successor, the Porsche 968.

The 928, due to its distinctive shark-like front, also became known as the Landshark. It was available from 1977 to 1995 in a wide range of engine variants and trim levels. Later in its life it was given an even more timeless design with a major facelift applied in 1987.

Porsche 928 Interior

The well-crafted interior of the Porsche 928 offers good space for passengers. However, taller drivers are encouraged to take the car on an extended test drive due to the low roofline. Thanks to the two foldable rear seats, the 928 is very practical with a large boot easily capable of accommodating a medium-sized suitcase and several smaller bags.

Despite being more grown-up, this car was by no means boring. The 928 GTS, presented in 1992 with a 5.4-litre engine and 350bhp, had a top speed of over 170mph. This made it the fastest Porsche of its day, even outdoing the 930 Turbo.

It proved to be an excellent long-distance touring car thanks to neutral driving behaviour, even at speeds beyond 125mph. The four-speed automatic transmission option offered from 1984 suited its character better than the somewhat notchy manual. Even the large V8 models were refined, making the 928 a wonderfully understated performance car.

The fuel consumption of the 928 in mixed, sporty driving is around 18mpg. In order to prevent frequent fuel stops, the 928 is equipped with an 85-litre tank.

Maintenance of a Porsche 928

In terms of maintenance costs, the Porsche 928 is certainly comparable to similar vehicles, but original spare parts are very expensive. Changing door and window rubbers, as well as brake discs, pads and heat plates easily runs into four figures.

Unfortunately, the 928 is not only one of the most advanced, but also one of the most technically complex vehicles of its time. The double wishbone rear axle, known as the “Weissach axle”, compensates for load changes through toe-in alterations.

Countless electrical units, such as the standard air conditioning system, the electrically adjustable seats, the tyre pressure control system fitted as standard in the 928 S4, the electric sunroof, the tailgate and rear wiper motor require regular maintenance. In general, the work on a 928 is quite problematic for the average person, since a well-equipped toolbox is needed even to remove the spark plugs. Regular oil changes and timing belts, plus tensioner maintenance are all required to ensure longevity. However, cars that have been lovingly cared for regularly go on to high mileage without major issues.

should you buy a Porsche 928?

Keeping in mind that the 928 was officially the flagship Porsche during its production, and that they were around round 150,000 DM depending on equipment, the Porsche 928 compares more to the Ferrari 308 GTB than with a “normal” BMW 635 CSI. Regardless of whether it is the 928, 928 S, 928 S4, GT or GTS, this car is still an all-season classic. Later models are extremely reliable and can be depended upon as far more than a weekend toy.

Yes, maintenance and upkeep can be more expensive, but the number of well-maintained 928 on the roads is decreasing, especially since many examples met their end on racetracks during the ‘90s. There’s also a nice spread in pricing for these cars dependant upon condition. Cars that need work can be had for just over €10,000, or €50,000 for a top-quality Porsche 928 GTS with low mileage.

As with any classic car purchase, we can only advise against buying a Porsche 928 without a proper inspection. An expert report or some detailed Porsche 928 buying advice will save you thousands in maintenance.

Text Christian Plagemann  Photos Duke of London, Veloce Classic and Sportscars London

Author: Christian Plagemann

Christian Plagemann is one of two founders and Managing Directors of Classic Trader. Dream ride: Lamborghini Miura Current Ride: Mercedes-Benz 180 D Ponton View all posts by Christian Plagemann →