Modestly Modded: Refreshed and Upgraded 1979 Porsche 928

We’re crazy tempted by this super-clean Opal Metallic 1979 Porsche 928 with an enlarged engine and modest aesthetic upgrades.

A 1979 Porsche 928 is a bit of an oddball. Stuttgart planned to replace the rear-engined flat-six 911 with a front-engined V8 powered GT car. On a different timeline, Porsche might have developed the 928 into a world-class sports car with the same kind of performance level of the modern 911. However, Porsche’s customer’s love for the 911 changed the plan. That doesn’t mean the 928 was unpopular, though. It was successful enough to remain in production from 1977 to 1995. It’s also a great classic car, and that’s why we adore this 1979 4.5-liter V8 version untouched by rust.

The lack of rust is just one reason this particular 928 up for sale via Harwood Motors. The bodywork looks unmolested other than its Opal Metallic paint respray 10-15 years ago. Every panel is straight and retains the original gaps, which shouldn’t be a surprise as it only has 19,297 miles on the clock. It’s clearly been kept garaged and had some money spent on it. That includes a chin spoiler and rear spoiler from a later model 928 added, later-model Porsche wheels in black, and an upgrade to the 4.5-liter V8 under the hood. We love how these upgrades suit the car and whoever added them didn’t go over the top.

The interior has also had some money spent on reupholstering and having a new carpet fitted. The engine has been upgraded from 4.5 liters of displacement to 4.7 and features a long list of new parts and build pictures. The icing on this tasteful cake is that install has the factory fitted five-speed manual transmission.

We believe it’s clear someone refreshed this slice of late 1970s grand touring goodness to put miles on it but didn’t get the chance to enjoy it to the full. For us, that makes this 1979 Porsche 928 an attractive proposition for $24,900. It would make for fun, comfortable daily driver at around the same cost as a new Honda Civic Si.

Photos: Harwood Motors

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Ian Wright

Ian Wright has been a professional automotive writer for over two years and is a regular contributor to Corvette Forum, Jaguar Forums, and 6SpeedOnline, among other popular auto sites.

Ian's obsession with cars started young and has left him stranded miles off-road in Land Rovers, being lost far from home in hot hatches, going sideways in rallycross cars, being propelled forward in supercars and, more sensibly, standing in fields staring at classic cars. His first job was as a mechanic, then he trained as a driving instructor before going into media production.

The automotive itch never left though, and he realized writing about cars is his true calling. However, that doesn’t stop Wright from also hosting the Both Hand Drive podcast.

Ian can be reached at bothhanddrive@gmail.com