When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
IMO the Daytona is a big reason why the 928 exists at all. It was one of the cars that made Porsche look into the future where GT's were favored over light and nimble, bare bones sports cars (a 68 911 was 2,300lbs / 912 2,100lbs).
Neat dimensions comparison. I think of the 928 as more of a 365 GTC/4 inspired design for some reason, despite the silhouette of the Daytona looking moreso like the 928. It is no coincidence that it is my favourite classic Ferrari model.
Whoopie do. Doesn't change the fact that the video you decided to post is a complete fail. I'm not a fan of the 348 myself, never cared for the looks among other things.
Yes, we all know your Euro 928 is the greatest 928 on the planet and the 928 is the greatest car on the planet. You never hesitate to remind us. We get it, thank you again for the reminder.
I also fully understand you are a top expert when it comes to Ferrari's
I watch his videos for ENTERTAINMENT like I watch a dozen other channels. Escapism not research.
But when you watch you see how badly older ferraris were constructed. simple truth
I watch his videos for ENTERTAINMENT like I watch a dozen other channels. Escapism not research.
But when you watch you see how badly older ferraris were constructed. simple truth
Actually, there are no attainable truths here.. just opinions.
Photo'd is as deep as I've been into a steel-bodied V8 Ferrari.
I've been this deep into hundreds of cars. You and others might have a mistaken perception stemming from your unrelenting effort at an apples to apples comparison.
If you're in the business of making mid-engine tube frame cars, then Ferrari sets a high bar by which you would be doing very well to match.
The results were outstanding, and the job was painless. MUCH credit owed to the construction design of the car itself for our eventual product. I saw no more flaws, imperfections, or inadequacies inherent to this car than ANY other car maker.
You're right on at least one count though. The 348/355 is not a GT car.. and it was never trying to be.
Your pic highlights the difference in ability between porsche and ferrari back in that time period.
NOT ONLY interiors but the body too. The thing that always bugged me with that era ferrari was the BODY PANELS, the 308-328-348-355- testarossa ALL had HALF panels cuz they didn't have the skill that porsche had at pressing 1 large compound shape (not the old hand hammering). The fenders, the doors all 2 pieces with some molding covering it up.
The welds are something I have seen in multiple videos when those era ferraris are torn into and it seems to be a common thing not just a friday afternoon thing https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/th...-frame.337247/
I used to read fchat 20 years ago, have not bothered in the last 10.
I did give Ferrari credit for upping their game but another channel I used to watch was finding shims inside newer horses. Goonsquad
I made a simple statement> Porsche namely the 928 was way ahead of Ferrari in design/quality. and not only that Porsche OWNED racing while ferraris were burning in front of me at the Montreal GP. Porsche dominated F1 with the tag engine, dominated Lemans racing with 956 and 962. People can do what they want with their money but the premium for the cars mentioned in this thread ain't warranted by quality.
Last edited by tv; 07-25-2024 at 05:11 PM.
Reason: spelling
A lesson on body construction might be in order here, but I won't meander this thread down that path. Suffice it to say that stamping the 348/355 quarter panel into a single section is anything but an improvement from a structural or quality perspective.
Yea, I think the "big and heavy" reputation the 928 had was strictly within the family. Compared to a 914 and same period 911 it was heavy and with weight comes an automatic image of size, whether it's accurate or not wasn't relevant to the perception.
So I'm convinced the 'big and heavy feel' comes from the driver intefaces. The lazy, as built, 928 steering is the largest contributor, 2nd being the god awful LCA bushing design which slows suspension responsiveness. 3rd being the high friction in the throttle interface and the clutch assist spring that dulls feel. 4th being the absolutle enemic brakes on the early cars made them feel like you're stopping some real weight. 5th being the tight Mercedes torque converter on the Auto's.
As many here know...On my 928 I modified the rack for better response and replaced the LCA's with Power flex. It's a diffrent car, precise and nimble. And lets not forget the later 928 were kinda' heavy, with rear A/C, leather and all the other luxury comforts, at around 3600 LBS.
I heard people refer to the Mercedes W126 as "Tanks" and it's a safe heavy car. At 3700 LBS it's just a few hundred LBS more than a 928, not a "tank" by any means despite feeling sustantial.
Last edited by icsamerica; 07-26-2024 at 01:54 PM.
The vintage Porsches are built like no other and the 928 was not a cheap car to build. Fit and finish, quality of material and longevity of cars properly maintained says a lot. Besides countless Porsche's I have worked on Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and Mclaren's of all vintages and I am rarely as impressed as I am with Porsche's quality. The others do what they do well but under the skin?
Most of these exotics look far better with the skins on and when you dissect them find what I consider inferior quality. My friend Joe Nastasi the man who sold Lambo to Iacocca and started the grey market essentially would try to trade me 55 gallon drums of inferior quality Ferrari Magnesium cases as scarp for payment for reproduction parts I would make for him. The metallurgy of the day and surface quality was inferior to what I was able to produce for the DoD. I sent out samples of material form different cases and nothing came back with any constancy and as scrap was only worth using to make anodes with. I could not trust it and chance making inferior out of spec parts using it. Hens the constant case failures they had. The hot glued mesh screens on some models and sticky buttons were nothing to write home about. As I see it very little can come close to the quality of the 80's and 90's german built cars. Porsche especially.
I was fortunate enough to see several at the same time of my favorite car the 288GTO at Amerispec back when first imported. The car is gorgeous but they were having issues with parts not fitting and falling off when new. Minor stuff but shouldn't have been happening. I never heard of a Porsche doing that.
So I'm convinced the 'big and heavy feel' comes from the driver intefaces. The lazy, as built, 928 steering is the lagest contributor, 2nd being the god awful LCA bushing design which slows suspension responsiveness. 3rd being the high friction in the throttle interface and the cluth spring that dulls and feel. 4th being the absolutle enemic brakes on the early cars made it feel like you're stopping some weight. 5th being the tight Mercedes torque converter on the Auto's. As many here know...On my 928 I modified the rack for better response and replaced the LCA's with Power flex. It's a diffrent car, precise and nimble. And let not forget the later 928 were kinda' heavy, with rear A/C, leather and all the other luxury comforts while at around 3600 LBS.
Valid point
There's definitely a distinct difference between the 16V and 32V cars that IMO is due to the added weight on the nose from the heavier engine (which also has a higher center of gravity).
My 87 feels noticeably more "lazy" compared to my 78-81. I try not to compare any 928 to my 79 since it's lowered, stiffer shocks / springs and under 3,000lbs. But my stock 80 feels just as nimble compared to my 87. The steering geometry didn't really change, the suspension bushings didn't change etc... The engine is lighter, the brakes, spindle, and hubs are lighter (un-sprung), oil / trans cooler up front etc... heavier seats, most have a sunroof.....
Then consider how many 32V cars are running without a spare tire, jack, tools etc... making them even more nose heavy.
Back to your original point, when hopping out of a 1977 911 and into a pre-production press car, I agree with your assessment that a lot of the "heavy" feedback is simply due to the steering / suspension design which is far more suited for 150+MPH cruising than carving up corners.
Originally Posted by icsamerica
I heard people refer to the Mercedes W126 as "Tanks" and it's a safe heavy car. At 3700 LBS it's just a few hundred LBS more than a 928, not a "tank" by any means despite feeling sustantial.
I have a 380SEC. the 560's like the S4 vs 16V are a few hundred pounds heavier pushing close to 4,000lbs. They are also 6" taller than a 928 with a lot more "roof" and over all taller stance raising the center of gravity. I'm also going to guess their weight distribution is close to 55/45 if not higher in the front. Although the engine is set a bit back in those.
So I'm convinced the 'big and heavy feel' comes from the driver intefaces. The lazy, as built, 928 steering is the largest contributor, 2nd being the god awful LCA bushing design which slows suspension responsiveness. 3rd being the high friction in the throttle interface and the clutch assist spring that dulls feel. 4th being the absolutle enemic brakes on the early cars made them feel like you're stopping some real weight. 5th being the tight Mercedes torque converter on the Auto's.
As many here know...On my 928 I modified the rack for better response and replaced the LCA's with Power flex. It's a diffrent car, precise and nimble. And lets not forget the later 928 were kinda' heavy, with rear A/C, leather and all the other luxury comforts, at around 3600 LBS.
I heard people refer to the Mercedes W126 as "Tanks" and it's a safe heavy car. At 3700 LBS it's just a few hundred LBS more than a 928, not a "tank" by any means despite feeling sustantial.
Do you have an older thread documenting these changes to your rack and suspension? I would be interested in reading.
Might I also recommend the Boxster Spyder? LMAO, we've gone wayyyyy off the rails with this one!
Originally Posted by hacker-pschorr
I was excited when that was announced thinking it would be a GT3 of sorts Boxster that wasn't used Ferrari money. When it came out and hit the scales at 3,200lbs I lost interest. Nothing in the Boxster lineup should be over 2,900lbs much less 3,000
The 987.2 Spyder is the sweet spot of the Spyder generations, so much so in my opinion that I bought one after I sold Pasha.
M9A1 engine, hydraulic steering, ~2800lbs curb weight, X73 suspension (like the 981 GTS), minimal/more raw interior finishings, and the incredible two-piece bimini-style sunshade top. I smirked when Porsche brought the two-piece top back with the Spyder RS.
Last edited by islaTurbine; 08-02-2024 at 09:55 AM.
The 987.2 Spyder is the sweet spot of the Spyder generations, so much so in my opinion that I bought one after I sold Pasha.
M9A1 engine, hydraulic steering, ~2800lbs curb weight, X73 suspension (like the 981 GTS), minimal/more raw interior finishings, and the incredible two-piece bimini-style sunshade top. I smirked when Porsche brought the two-piece top back with the Spyder RS.