928 Estate
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 149
Likes: 30
From: Surrey, UK
928 Estate
Shooting Brake, Station Wagon, whatever you want to call it. Just a thought experiment really, but has anyone attempted such a conversion?
I know Porsche made a couple of one-offs over the years, but they were extended and/or had 4 doors and looked rather odd IMO. However I think that it would be possible to extend the roof line, have a more vertical rear window and still have a great (albeit different) looking car, but with some greater carrying capacity. I know, sacrilege to some, but plenty of 928s are simply being scrapped and surely a custom version has to be more acceptable than that?
Whatever others may think, the idea kinda appeals. Anyone done, or seen this done?
I know Porsche made a couple of one-offs over the years, but they were extended and/or had 4 doors and looked rather odd IMO. However I think that it would be possible to extend the roof line, have a more vertical rear window and still have a great (albeit different) looking car, but with some greater carrying capacity. I know, sacrilege to some, but plenty of 928s are simply being scrapped and surely a custom version has to be more acceptable than that?
Whatever others may think, the idea kinda appeals. Anyone done, or seen this done?
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 5,955
Likes: 331
From: Kaukauna Wisconsin
It would be an interesting project. I think Jerry is right. There was a race car set up along those lines. My memory is telling me it was done up in a "US Army/MASH 4077" sort of paint scheme. I could be way, way, waaaaaaaay off base on that though.
Personally, if I were going to attempt it, I'd likely go with some sort of fiberglass 'over-cover'. Bring the roof back, bring the sides out over the rear quarter windows and a more vertical rear window. Leave the 'frame' for the rear quarters in place and remove the hatch. Think along the lines of 'pickup truck bed cap'.
That would allow a fair amount of experimentation without permanently altering the car. If I found something I really liked, then a permanent structural change might be in order. If not, it's totally reversible.
FWIW, the 944 hatch goes all the way around the back. No rear quarters, just a big piece of glass. There are (were) a few different replacement pieces made that transformed the rear end into a 'shooting brake'/station wagon sort of thing. I've only seen pics, but some of them looked pretty cool.
Personally, if I were going to attempt it, I'd likely go with some sort of fiberglass 'over-cover'. Bring the roof back, bring the sides out over the rear quarter windows and a more vertical rear window. Leave the 'frame' for the rear quarters in place and remove the hatch. Think along the lines of 'pickup truck bed cap'.
That would allow a fair amount of experimentation without permanently altering the car. If I found something I really liked, then a permanent structural change might be in order. If not, it's totally reversible.
FWIW, the 944 hatch goes all the way around the back. No rear quarters, just a big piece of glass. There are (were) a few different replacement pieces made that transformed the rear end into a 'shooting brake'/station wagon sort of thing. I've only seen pics, but some of them looked pretty cool.
Race Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,144
Likes: 790
From: Gig Harbor. WA
We built one as a joke for lemons racing.......here is a short youtube video of a race I won in it years ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDzlrHKHxxY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDzlrHKHxxY
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 149
Likes: 30
From: Surrey, UK
All extremely interesting, thanks. So it has been done and I think it can look pretty good. This is not an either/or situation. I have an S4 of which I love the look and wouldn't modify, but I'm contemplating adding an earlier car that would have a good tow hitch so I can use it to tow my car or motorcycle trailer. So it would be something of a utility vehicle and would suit the looks and practicality of an estate version. The more I think about it, the more I like the idea.
Getting it done could be tricky as I'm no body specialist (of either sort
) nor welder. Finding suitable glass would perhaps be the most problematic as you can't just cut 'n shut like metal bodywork. Any suggestions?
Getting it done could be tricky as I'm no body specialist (of either sort
) nor welder. Finding suitable glass would perhaps be the most problematic as you can't just cut 'n shut like metal bodywork. Any suggestions?Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
2026 Porsche 911 Club Coupe is Spectacular, And Everything Wrong with the Porsche Market
Joe Kucinski
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 549
Likes: 39
From: SW Oklahoma, USA
That's definitely an idea.
I am halfway tempted to hold onto one of the ones that a scrapper friend said he had coming his way, and try my hand at making a Ute out if a 928 that none of the locals wanted to restore.
I am halfway tempted to hold onto one of the ones that a scrapper friend said he had coming his way, and try my hand at making a Ute out if a 928 that none of the locals wanted to restore.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16,271
Likes: 82
From: Stockton, CA
The old estate or krankenwagon lives on today.....Still races in east coast lemons races....I think her theme is pink pig now.....was a Shark once with painted teeth and dorsal fin fight after I sold her in 2012. She has placed as high as 2nd place at Sebring and typically runs near the fastest lap times. Reliability can be an issue and she has blown more than her fair share of engines over the years. I sold her with a USA 4.7 (automatic) that was pretty strong....215whp I recall......They mostly run Euro or semi euro engines now. Here is a video of a race I ran with them in Fall of 2013 where I set the 3rd fastest lap of the race (only to be beaten by current owner next day).....I also passed 186 cars in 1 hour of about 125 car field. I would guess that engine (CIS full euro) with L-jet injection was probably 250-260whp....It really ran hard up top....
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 10
From: Saint Clair County, MI
928 Estate
I would wager Dave Kindig of Kindig It Designs, https://www.kindigit.com, has the expertise to create a "bitchin" 928 Sport Touring, that would look as good as the Ferry Porsche 928 "shooting brake," GTS rear quarters would be a must for dualies, to increase the payload. 
Last edited by Blackpony; Mar 2, 2021 at 10:48 PM. Reason: Typo