Let me know what you think..(PCA newsletter article)
03-02-2006, 05:34 PM
#1
Drifting
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Let me know what you think..(PCA newsletter article)
Let me know what you think. This is a rough draft for my local PCA newsletter.
Porsche 928 - Faster than anything as luxurious, more luxurious than anything as fast.
Tony Lapine (head of the design house for the 928 body) said it best: “Give us credit that we learned a bit during the 20 or so years that we built the rear engine sports car and we had a few ideas how to improve on it. That's why 911 drivers don't like the 928, it doesn't feel like it’s handling properly because the onset of all the bad habits of the 911 are pushed much higher up the overall performance curve. It is very hard to make it do the bad things a 911 chassis will do and so it’s perceived to be sluggish or heavy. In fact if you look at the speedo or tach you are actually eating up the terrain at a much higher level with more confidence. That was our goal.”
I fell in love with the 928 as an adolescent watching the car show up in movies like “Risky Business” and “Weird Science”. I thought the body style and power were awesome, but the price was way out there.
Fast forward about 15 years, I was just out of college looking for a sports car and all sorts of thoughts rushed through my mind. My father was always a muscle car guy and when I was in high school he had a ’69 Firebird convertible, I loved its 350 V8 but I wanted to be able to stop and turn also. So I thought what I’m looking for should be German for its handling and bulletproof style, but I loved the V8’s because of my father. How about an BMW 8-series, nope, hard to find in good condition. Mercedes SL’s, no way. But wait, remember those crazy 928’s, I wonder what they go for? And then I began my search on ebay and autotrader to find what options and years to look for.
The 928 started design in the early ‘70’s, yes even before the 924 came around but the fuel crisis put it on the back burner till 1977 when they began production on the first cars. When it debuted in 1978 it was the first, and to this day the only, sports car to receive the “Car of the year” award. Over the years they changed motors adding HP and codes for European and US motors due to catalytic converters needed for US emissions laws. And come 1985 the US version got a 32 valve 288 HP motor while the Euro version kept the 310 HP 16 valve old style motor they had used since 1984. Then in ’86 they began design of an updated body style for the ’87 version, the S4 (4th update of the car). During the design phase they began to run out of the old style brakes for the 1986 “S” model and they ended up using the S4, 4-piston Brembo’s, on them, although this was an option on all of the Euro ‘86’s. So those cars with VIN ending in 1000 or greater in 1986 had what they call the S4 brake and suspension upgrade and are considered ’86.5 models.
In the summer of 1986 Porsche sent an 1987 S4 car with driver Al Holbert to the Bonneville Salt Flats to see what it could run. On that day he set a record of 171 MPH in the flying mile. That would dub the 1987 928 S4 as the fastest production car in the world. Being that Lamborghini and Ferrari only made a few cars they were not considered production cars.
So the ’87 car was released. Slight body changes updated the look of the car and it would now have one universal motor throughout the world, the 32 valve V8 putting out 316 HP and 315 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 MPH 5.7 sec and top speed 165 MPH with a 2.20:1 rear differential.
In ’89 they updated the dash with digital gauges and offered a special 5-spd option called the GT (Option code 639). This option gave hotter cams and a few other small bits to get the car 10 more HP and LB-FT. This option was standard on all 1990 and 1991 5-spds, but only a handful of 1989’s had this.
Another body update came with the final series car in 1992 the GTS, although the demand dwindled and no 1992’s were shipped to the US. But we did get the three final years of the car from 1993-1995. This car was the top dog with a price to match. The GTS offered 345 HP and 367 LB-FT of torque.
After my learning experience I came up with the idea that the later the model the better. I ended up finding one in Oklahoma and Prussian Blau ’86 Automatic (approximately 75% of all 928’s were auto.) in my price range. I owned the car for two years and loved every minute of it. I even drove it on the first date with my now wife, Bonny. In September 2002 the car was totaled in a accident. With the insurance money I was able to replace it with an ’87 S4 5-spd. I had that car for about 6 months when I met its replacement. Turns out right after I bought this car a friend of my fathers wanted to sell his ’87 5-spd with low miles. So needless to say I sold my high mileage car and for the exact same car with less miles.
And that brings me up to today, 4-1/2 years later, driving my 1987 928 S4 5-spd with some upgrades, shhhh don’t tell anyone, and 48,000 miles. If there is anything you would like to know about the 928 just ask me, if I don’t know I could point you to some guys who would. If you’re interested in pursuing the greatest GT car Porsche has ever designed/built check out the forums on rennlist.com. And if you’re looking for parts for your 928, contact one of the “Big 3” as we say, 928 Specialists, 928 International, or Devek. Just do an internet search on the name. And this final passage sums it up best.
"Cynics and died-in-the-wool 911 and 356 fanatics tend to write the 928 off as a cross between a 924 and a Corvette. They're wrong. If you approach this car with an open mind, open the door, sit down, fire it up and drive it away, it will quite simply blow your mind. To get out of whatever you were driving and take the 928 for a spin is as liberating as your first ride on a motorcycle, your first kiss from a girl who knew how. You may frighten yourself, in a burst of unbridled enthusiasm, but the 928 won't. It's a rolling womb of whispering, humming, tactile assurances that everything on this particular road on this particular day is going to be all right. Dreamlike, you fly down the road like a bat out of hell with nothing more than the blurring of the trees and the moan of the engine to call your attention to the speedometer. This is grand touring, folks, and whatever it costs, it's worth It." - David E. Davis, Jr. April 1978
Porsche 928 - Faster than anything as luxurious, more luxurious than anything as fast.
Tony Lapine (head of the design house for the 928 body) said it best: “Give us credit that we learned a bit during the 20 or so years that we built the rear engine sports car and we had a few ideas how to improve on it. That's why 911 drivers don't like the 928, it doesn't feel like it’s handling properly because the onset of all the bad habits of the 911 are pushed much higher up the overall performance curve. It is very hard to make it do the bad things a 911 chassis will do and so it’s perceived to be sluggish or heavy. In fact if you look at the speedo or tach you are actually eating up the terrain at a much higher level with more confidence. That was our goal.”
I fell in love with the 928 as an adolescent watching the car show up in movies like “Risky Business” and “Weird Science”. I thought the body style and power were awesome, but the price was way out there.
Fast forward about 15 years, I was just out of college looking for a sports car and all sorts of thoughts rushed through my mind. My father was always a muscle car guy and when I was in high school he had a ’69 Firebird convertible, I loved its 350 V8 but I wanted to be able to stop and turn also. So I thought what I’m looking for should be German for its handling and bulletproof style, but I loved the V8’s because of my father. How about an BMW 8-series, nope, hard to find in good condition. Mercedes SL’s, no way. But wait, remember those crazy 928’s, I wonder what they go for? And then I began my search on ebay and autotrader to find what options and years to look for.
The 928 started design in the early ‘70’s, yes even before the 924 came around but the fuel crisis put it on the back burner till 1977 when they began production on the first cars. When it debuted in 1978 it was the first, and to this day the only, sports car to receive the “Car of the year” award. Over the years they changed motors adding HP and codes for European and US motors due to catalytic converters needed for US emissions laws. And come 1985 the US version got a 32 valve 288 HP motor while the Euro version kept the 310 HP 16 valve old style motor they had used since 1984. Then in ’86 they began design of an updated body style for the ’87 version, the S4 (4th update of the car). During the design phase they began to run out of the old style brakes for the 1986 “S” model and they ended up using the S4, 4-piston Brembo’s, on them, although this was an option on all of the Euro ‘86’s. So those cars with VIN ending in 1000 or greater in 1986 had what they call the S4 brake and suspension upgrade and are considered ’86.5 models.
In the summer of 1986 Porsche sent an 1987 S4 car with driver Al Holbert to the Bonneville Salt Flats to see what it could run. On that day he set a record of 171 MPH in the flying mile. That would dub the 1987 928 S4 as the fastest production car in the world. Being that Lamborghini and Ferrari only made a few cars they were not considered production cars.
So the ’87 car was released. Slight body changes updated the look of the car and it would now have one universal motor throughout the world, the 32 valve V8 putting out 316 HP and 315 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 MPH 5.7 sec and top speed 165 MPH with a 2.20:1 rear differential.
In ’89 they updated the dash with digital gauges and offered a special 5-spd option called the GT (Option code 639). This option gave hotter cams and a few other small bits to get the car 10 more HP and LB-FT. This option was standard on all 1990 and 1991 5-spds, but only a handful of 1989’s had this.
Another body update came with the final series car in 1992 the GTS, although the demand dwindled and no 1992’s were shipped to the US. But we did get the three final years of the car from 1993-1995. This car was the top dog with a price to match. The GTS offered 345 HP and 367 LB-FT of torque.
After my learning experience I came up with the idea that the later the model the better. I ended up finding one in Oklahoma and Prussian Blau ’86 Automatic (approximately 75% of all 928’s were auto.) in my price range. I owned the car for two years and loved every minute of it. I even drove it on the first date with my now wife, Bonny. In September 2002 the car was totaled in a accident. With the insurance money I was able to replace it with an ’87 S4 5-spd. I had that car for about 6 months when I met its replacement. Turns out right after I bought this car a friend of my fathers wanted to sell his ’87 5-spd with low miles. So needless to say I sold my high mileage car and for the exact same car with less miles.
And that brings me up to today, 4-1/2 years later, driving my 1987 928 S4 5-spd with some upgrades, shhhh don’t tell anyone, and 48,000 miles. If there is anything you would like to know about the 928 just ask me, if I don’t know I could point you to some guys who would. If you’re interested in pursuing the greatest GT car Porsche has ever designed/built check out the forums on rennlist.com. And if you’re looking for parts for your 928, contact one of the “Big 3” as we say, 928 Specialists, 928 International, or Devek. Just do an internet search on the name. And this final passage sums it up best.
"Cynics and died-in-the-wool 911 and 356 fanatics tend to write the 928 off as a cross between a 924 and a Corvette. They're wrong. If you approach this car with an open mind, open the door, sit down, fire it up and drive it away, it will quite simply blow your mind. To get out of whatever you were driving and take the 928 for a spin is as liberating as your first ride on a motorcycle, your first kiss from a girl who knew how. You may frighten yourself, in a burst of unbridled enthusiasm, but the 928 won't. It's a rolling womb of whispering, humming, tactile assurances that everything on this particular road on this particular day is going to be all right. Dreamlike, you fly down the road like a bat out of hell with nothing more than the blurring of the trees and the moan of the engine to call your attention to the speedometer. This is grand touring, folks, and whatever it costs, it's worth It." - David E. Davis, Jr. April 1978
Last edited by hinchcliffe; 03-03-2006 at 03:29 PM.
03-02-2006, 07:55 PM
#4
Former Vendor
That is excellent Curt.
As a matter of fact, I would not mind submitting it to my own local PCA newsletter (with credit of course), god knows they are a bunch of "anything Porsche" fanatic, except the 928.
Your article might open some eyes, you never know
On a side note, on my last trip to Vegas, I visited a small car show at convention center. The Vegas PCA had a nice display with all models from a Carrera GT to a nice 356A. When I asked the guy in charge why there were no 928s on display, he told me point blank that they only considered air cooled Porsches, true Porsches. When I pointed to the GT and a brand new 911 sitting right there, he said "well, at least they have the engine in the right place"
I just walked away
Paul
As a matter of fact, I would not mind submitting it to my own local PCA newsletter (with credit of course), god knows they are a bunch of "anything Porsche" fanatic, except the 928.
Your article might open some eyes, you never know
On a side note, on my last trip to Vegas, I visited a small car show at convention center. The Vegas PCA had a nice display with all models from a Carrera GT to a nice 356A. When I asked the guy in charge why there were no 928s on display, he told me point blank that they only considered air cooled Porsches, true Porsches. When I pointed to the GT and a brand new 911 sitting right there, he said "well, at least they have the engine in the right place"
I just walked away
Paul
03-02-2006, 07:56 PM
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Originally Posted by hinchcliffe
. . . . .Tony Lapine (designer of the 928 body) said it best: “Give us credit that we learned a bit during the 20 or so years that we built the rear engine sports car and we had a few ideas how to improve on it. That's why 911 drivers don't like the 928, it doesn't feel like it’s handling properly because the onset of all the bad habits of the 911 are pushed much higher up the overall performance curve. It is very hard to make it do the bad things a 911 chassis will do and so it’s perceived to be sluggish or heavy. In fact if you look at the speedo or tach you are actually eating up the terrain at a much higher level with more confidence. That was our goal.”
. . . . And this final passage sums it up.
"Cynics and died-in-the-wool 911 and 356 fanatics tend to write the 928 off as a cross between a 924 and a Corvette. They're wrong. If you approach this car with an open mind, open the door, sit down, fire it up and drive it away, it will quite simply blow your mind. To get out of whatever you were driving and take the 928 for a spin is as liberating as your first ride on a motorcycle, your first kiss from a girl who knew how. You may frighten yourself, in a burst of unbridled enthusiasm, but the 928 won't. It's a rolling womb of whispering, humming, tactile assurances that everything on this particular road on this particular day is going to be all right. Dreamlike, you fly down the road like a bat out of hell with nothing more than the blurring of the trees and the moan of the engine to call your attention to the speedometer. This is grand touring, folks, and whatever it costs, it's worth It." - David E. Davis, Jr. April 1978
. . . . And this final passage sums it up.
"Cynics and died-in-the-wool 911 and 356 fanatics tend to write the 928 off as a cross between a 924 and a Corvette. They're wrong. If you approach this car with an open mind, open the door, sit down, fire it up and drive it away, it will quite simply blow your mind. To get out of whatever you were driving and take the 928 for a spin is as liberating as your first ride on a motorcycle, your first kiss from a girl who knew how. You may frighten yourself, in a burst of unbridled enthusiasm, but the 928 won't. It's a rolling womb of whispering, humming, tactile assurances that everything on this particular road on this particular day is going to be all right. Dreamlike, you fly down the road like a bat out of hell with nothing more than the blurring of the trees and the moan of the engine to call your attention to the speedometer. This is grand touring, folks, and whatever it costs, it's worth It." - David E. Davis, Jr. April 1978
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03-02-2006, 11:53 PM
#8
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Nice read, one correction: I'm pretty sure the option code for the GT in '89 is M639, not M484. Otherwise, nicely done. 
As for ticking off some of the aircooled crowd, too bad. I am looking foward to turning a few heads with my local PCA chapter this year (after new clutch and x-pipe).
Jim
As for ticking off some of the aircooled crowd, too bad. I am looking foward to turning a few heads with my local PCA chapter this year (after new clutch and x-pipe).
Jim
03-03-2006, 12:07 AM
#9
Nice read....couple of things....
the Euro 310 hp motor was available in 84 also
and the brakes..as Mr Jim Bailey pointed out in other threads, was available in all Euro 86 models..and only when the supply of older brakes ran out, did the US 86 get the big brembos..(ie 86.5) vin >1000.
And of course the best quote...
"In ’89 they updated the dash with digital gauges and offered a special 5-spd option called the GT (Option code 484). This option gave hotter cams and a few other small bits to get the car 10 more HP and LB-FT. This option was standard on all the run of the mill and common 1990 and 1991 5-spds, but only a handful of the ultra rare super special 1989’s had this."
haha...
Good article though....
later,
Tom
89GT
the Euro 310 hp motor was available in 84 also
and the brakes..as Mr Jim Bailey pointed out in other threads, was available in all Euro 86 models..and only when the supply of older brakes ran out, did the US 86 get the big brembos..(ie 86.5) vin >1000.
And of course the best quote...
"In ’89 they updated the dash with digital gauges and offered a special 5-spd option called the GT (Option code 484). This option gave hotter cams and a few other small bits to get the car 10 more HP and LB-FT. This option was standard on all the run of the mill and common 1990 and 1991 5-spds, but only a handful of the ultra rare super special 1989’s had this."
haha...
Good article though....
later,
Tom
89GT
03-03-2006, 07:59 AM
#11
Drifting
Thread Starter
Alright. Off she goes. I just want to provide a picture of me with the car before I send it in.
Thanks for the insight all. And yes, Paul, use it in your local newsletter, just PM me for the word file and send me a copy of the newsletter when it runs.
I wanted to write this because my region President came to me with a letter he recieved from a member who was quitting our group. His explanation as to why he didn't want to be a member anymore was that he thought no one in the club liked him because he had a 928, and they got no respect. I told our pres. its too bad people feel like that. I'm at most meetings and pretty much the only 928 there. But I also explained that I'm the local "Den Mother", as David Lloyd says, for the 928OC and this guy wasn't a member. Just one of those guys that doesn't try, and blames everyone for not involving him.
Thanks for the insight all. And yes, Paul, use it in your local newsletter, just PM me for the word file and send me a copy of the newsletter when it runs.
I wanted to write this because my region President came to me with a letter he recieved from a member who was quitting our group. His explanation as to why he didn't want to be a member anymore was that he thought no one in the club liked him because he had a 928, and they got no respect. I told our pres. its too bad people feel like that. I'm at most meetings and pretty much the only 928 there. But I also explained that I'm the local "Den Mother", as David Lloyd says, for the 928OC and this guy wasn't a member. Just one of those guys that doesn't try, and blames everyone for not involving him.
03-03-2006, 08:15 AM
#12
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Wow - that's a great article! Hope lots of people will read it.
Two comments:
- If they started the S4 design in 1986, it would have been too late to get it ready for 1987 production. Usually these things are done 2-3 years ahead of time. They are already working on face lifts for the 987 and 997 now... The 928-4 that was Ferry Porsche's B'day present in 1984 already had the S4 bumper covers and the 32-valve engine. (It also had the projection lights which never made it into production.)
- Somebody once told me a motor is usually electric and moves little things, while big things are powered by engines... Sorry but my English is too bad to tell whether that's correct.
Two comments:
- If they started the S4 design in 1986, it would have been too late to get it ready for 1987 production. Usually these things are done 2-3 years ahead of time. They are already working on face lifts for the 987 and 997 now... The 928-4 that was Ferry Porsche's B'day present in 1984 already had the S4 bumper covers and the 32-valve engine. (It also had the projection lights which never made it into production.)
- Somebody once told me a motor is usually electric and moves little things, while big things are powered by engines... Sorry but my English is too bad to tell whether that's correct.
03-03-2006, 09:41 AM
#13
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Originally Posted by hinchcliffe
Tony Lapine (designer of the 928 body)
03-03-2006, 10:01 AM
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
I just wanted to give info about the cars to those who may not know any better. Plus a few of the 911 guys joke with me about my car, so I thought I should throw a little back at them.
Motor/engine same thing. My car has a motor, yours may have an engine.
Motor/engine same thing. My car has a motor, yours may have an engine.
03-03-2006, 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Nicole
- Somebody once told me a motor is usually electric and moves little things, while big things are powered by engines... Sorry but my English is too bad to tell whether that's correct.