When Porsche Wanted to Build a 984 Mazda MX5 Rival
Porsche initially developed the mid-engine two-seater with a folding plastic hard-top in the mid-80s together with Spanish SEAT.
Did you know that Porsche came very close to building a Mazda MX-5 rival back in 1989? One of many jewels hidden in the bowels of the Stuttgart Porsche Museum, the 984 prototype proves what may have been. Porsche in essence wanted to bring an affordable roadster to market. It was to compete with the Mazda on both size and price.
Porsche initially developed the mid-engine two-seater with a folding plastic hard-top in the mid-80s together with Spanish SEAT. It was to be a true successor to the VW-Porsche 914. And would have made a worthy predecessor to the first Boxster. However, while a prototype was ready in 1987, the 984 ultimately never made the cut.
984 was Compact, Light, and Streamlined
Porsche intended the 984 to be as compact, light and as streamlined as possible. For best performance. Its rear-mounted air-cooled 2-liter four-valve boxer four-cylinder engine ‘only’ had 135 HP on tap. It was however still apparently good for a handy or 8 seconds 0-100 mph and 140 mph top speed.
Penned by Peter Birtwhistle, first design models were ready in November 1983. The compact 1987 prototype weighed in under 2.000 lbs, was just 12 feet long, 5’2†wide and rode on a 7’3†m wheelbase. Even its Pirelli 205/60 VR 16 P700s tires were modest.
Porsche Typical Cockpit Set the 984 Apart
Like its MX-5 rival, the 984 cockpit had just enough leg and head room. But it was a far more Porsche-like space with 911-like shapes and finishes that would have set it apart and earned the 984 its price premium
Had the Porsche 984 indeed come to market in 1989, it would have rivalled the similarly sized, if perhaps slightly cheaper Mazda MX-5. The Mazda indeed debuted that year. The 984 was supposed to slip in below Porsche’s then 924, 944, 928 and 911 on its 1989 range.
Over a Quarter Cheaper than a 924S
Price was planned between 35,000 to 40,000 marks at the time. Which would have made it a compelling prospect versus the final 48,000 mark 924S. Sadly however Porsche stopped development in October 1987 and the prototype consigned to the museum warehouse.
It took nine years for the first Boxster to break cover, albeit positioned slightly higher with boxer six power, that car went on to prove what could have been…
Images: Porsche Museum