If you find an interesting 928 article out there feel free to post the text or a link.

I found this one:

Enter The Grand Tourer
(author not listed)
Posted at: 3:11 PM, Dec 26, 2001


Development of the 928 began in late 1971, pre-dating the 924 which was marketed before the 928. Porsche believed the venerable air-cooled 911 series could not possibly continue indefinately given ever restricting regulations on noise, emissions and the crashworthiness of rear-engined cars. Also, Porsche saw a need to fill in the horsepower-driven lucrative American market, where over half of all its new car sales were being made. Powerplants considered for the 928 initially included a V6, but, luckily for 928 enthusiasts, an all-aluminum 4.5 liter 16-valve SOHC V8 became the chosen powerplant. This engine also featured the world's longest (Gilmer-type and toothed) timing belt in a production vehicle - it measures nearly 7 feet if laid out.
Testing of the various drivetrain and suspension components were carried out in 911, Mercedes, Opel and Audi bodies. Porsche engineers went to great lengths during this process, as the donor cars sometimes had to be chopped, lenghtened or widened to accomodate the 928 drivetrain & suspension. Later full-scale models and prototypes were given extreme testing in desert tests in Africa, and ice tests Finland. Crash tests were dutifully recorded with the 928 fairing exceedingly well over and above the 5mph specs of the time.
The engineers were justifiably proud of their achievements, as development for the 928 was going at a good pace. However, mid-way through the model's R&D stage, the first global gas crisis hit. In light of this, the Board of Directors now had to decide whether or not to continue on 'Projekt 928'. As we now know, development would forge ahead - Porsche was willing to bet on the V8 platform to carry the marque into the future.
Design of the coachwork took place secretly behind curtains alonside 911 production. Numerous full scale mockups of that beautiful body and cockpit were created and tested for airflow. Nearing completion, a rolling example was presented to the Board of Directors, who would ultimately make the final design approval. The selected body style is the original 928 introduced to the world at the Geneva car show of March 1977 and Projekt 928 had finally become the Porsche 928. At its unveiling the car stunned the world and was received to critical acclaim and controversy - the 928 was promptly awarded European Car of the Year for its many innovations such as the aluminum engine block and heads. Of note is that was the first and only sports can to ever win this prestigious award.
The 'Weissach axle" (named in honor of the Porsche R&D center where it was created) was quite probably one of the most impressive engineering feats the car featured. The goal of the Weissach axle was to eliminate lift-throttle oversteer by allowing the rear suspension to actually adjust itself during cornering manuevers. The Weissach axle is one of the most noted features of the marque and has been adapted across the model line-up.
The 928 battery is cleverly attached to the rear transaxle to help dampen vibration. Thus equipped with a front-engine, rear transaxle layout the 928 has near perfect weight balance distribution of 50/50 front to rear, giving the car great handling prowess.
A special 928 Weissach edition was available and, similiar to the 911 Weissach edition, featured champagne gold metallic paint, matching brushed gold alloy wheels, two-tone interior and the extremely collectible three-piece Porsche luggage set. Only 205 such cars were produced. Production of all 928 cars was carried out at the factory in Stuttgart - Zuffenhausen, side by side with the 911 cars thus eliminating any doubt as to the build quality of customer cars.
It is interesting to note that even given the 928's pedigree, it has never attained the same reverence as the air-cooled Porsches. Though thoroughly acknowledged by the press as the best GT car Porsche ever produced, it remains largely unappreciated for those Porsche fans who cannot or will not see beyond the 911. When considered with its original goal -- to replace the 911, the 928 failed. However, this is not as much to fault the 928 but as to praise the 911, which has been and always will be Porsche's main model, the pride and joy of any enthusiast. To expect any car to replace the 911 is unreasonable... the 928 was doomed from the start. However, as those who have experienced the 928's relentless push towards top speed and technological innovations will tell you, the 928 has not so much failed as created an alternate niche for itself, as the luxurious alternative to the 911.

 

It's really a shame they didn't decide to go with the V-6 - quite the appropriate choice for a 3000+ pound car.

Think of all the money we'd have saved on speeding tickets...

 

Thanks Randy for the informative post. I printed it and put it in my 928 Binder. BTW, did you purchase the heat shield for your hood yet (which kind and where)? Did you get enough to do the forward section that surrounds the emissions decal?
Another BTW, have you seen the 79 convertible on ebay?
Anthony Tate
79/928 Metallic Silver