Jim bailey - 928 International

Yes as Porsche "developed" the 911--(993-996-997) it got longer, wider, heavier, more powerful. It seems many of the people wealthy enough to justify buying a new "911" would like it to be as big , comfortable, and fast as a GTS better put the Wiesach suspension under it as well.

SwayBar

Let's suppose your statement is true for a moment. To me then, that would be another reason why I do not believe the 928 was designed as a sport car.

Using racing as an example, Porsche, just like the rest of the teams, would use the latest rulebook when designing and building their cars for the track, as it would be foolish trying to build a car for a set of rules which did not exist at the time. Likewise, it would be equally foolish to implement a known future rulechange earlier than need-be, especially if it's implementation incurred a weight increase.

As an example, can you imagine in 1987 a prominent race team installing an air-condtioning system on their racecar because in 20 years, ALMS would require it in 2007? The car would be non-competitive right out of the box for the next 19 years, and the any team driving one would not have a chance.

Knowing this, there is no way Porsche would build the ultimate sport car the way that they did, heavy, thus why their intention with the 928 had to be something other than a sport car.

hacker-pschorr

Sway, I agree 100% with everything in that post, well, sort of.

Problem is back in 1972 when they started the 928 project, sports cars were changing.
The Corvette's were no lightweight (1971 base curb weight was 3,200lbs with the small block). 1973 was over 3,400lbs
The Shelby GT500 was a sow compared to the GT350 (2,700 vs 3,300). The Shelby Cobra was long gone.
1973 Camaro & Mustang were over 3,500lbs. Times were changing.
Hell, even the new Ferrari had a Fiat powered V6.

It's easy to look back 20 years later and say it was not supposed to be a sports car. But compared to what?

It may have ended up more of a GT car, that doesn't mean the initial goal wasn't the ultimate sports car.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Not according to Ferry Porsche he stated they designed and built the sports car car which they themslves would like to own and drive and hoped others would agree.... obviously not enough did ! Porsche used to only build sportscars sadly that time has passed. Now that Porsche has a controlling interest in VW expect more joint ventures and economy of scale to sell VWs as Porsches...It is a marketing driven business profitable successful but ...

hacker-pschorr

Sweet, the rebirth of the 924 / 944 / 914?

I say they start selling a new VW Beetle based on the 997 chassis

Jim bailey - 928 International

Just wait for the VW Phaeton based on the Panamera and then the Buggatti and the Lambo and the ......it is going to be like General Motors selling the same car but with different disguises. OK your a Buick guy here's your "Buick"... The bottom line is will VW Audi step up to Porsche status or will Porsche adapt to VW/Audi levels. Just ask Daimler how that worked with Chrysler , Oh right they lost several BILLION on that deal IF they can get it sold !! The financing may have evaporated in the junk bond market meltdown.

Imo000

If I remember right from the movie My Cousin Vinny, the Pontiac Tempest had an independent rear suspension (just like the Corvette of the same year).
Is this correct?

However your point is still valid!

JEC_31

No, the movie's technical clincher was the "posi-traction" on the car not resulting in a single-stripe burnout. Still had the horse-drawn-wagon-tech straight axle.


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This thread is really sparking some excellent discussion.

hacker-pschorr

Yes it is..........speaking of, when are you going to pay for a damn membership?

JEC_31

I know, I know, I'm still freeloading. I think I may be the longest-lived troll in these parts.

I am waiting to step up the Paid Member until I get another Porsche, preferrably an early 928, although a cheap early 944 track beater is quite possible too, but that's not coming anytime soon. But I don't feel as if I quite qualify for membership driving my beater Honda Accord around.

We (wife, toddler, and I) are busy house-hunting at the moment, because the crappy market is showing some desperately good real-estate deals and we are badly cramped for space. Of course, this also involves maniacally prepping our current micro-house for sale.

After "bigger house with big garage", next goal is "Porsche in that garage". #2 on my affirmations. And then "Rennlist Member" is naturally part of that.

Ah, the lure of the German Muscle Car...

Jim bailey - 928 International

Actually the 63 Tempest was the last year for the swing axle IRS and offered the 326 V-8 and the key to the Cousin Vinney movie was the IRS ability to make tire marks up over the curb...from Wiki " Vinny picks her up and forces her into the courtroom, where she uses her encyclopedic knowledge of cars to prove Vinny's theory correct. The only car that could've produced the tire marks and been confused with Billy's, she says, is the 1963 Pontiac Tempest. Vinny then calls Wilbur again, and he agrees with Lisa's analysis and testifies that that it would be impossible for Billy's car to have made the marks. Sheriff Farley then returns with Vinny's requested search and testifies that two men resembling Billy and Stan were arrested in Georgia for driving a stolen Pontiac Tempest. In the glove compartment of said car was a .357 Magnum revolver, the same type used to kill Jimmy Willis. Trotter then drops all charges against Billy and Stan. ..." In 1964 they went to the solid rear axle and added the GTO option and that was the START of the Muscle Car Era 1964- to maybe 1973 before insurance issues and smog laws sucked away most of the horsepower...

hacker-pschorr

Since we are about as off topic as you can get.

Did the 68 Mustang in Bullitt have posi? I can only remember the one wheel peel Steve did after missing the turn. Not sure how posi works in reverse though.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Nope I believe open diff on the Bullit Car plus the engine sounds were NOT from the Mustang but the converted Can Am sports racer used as the camera car !

hacker-pschorr

Don't forget the 8 speed transmission in the Mustang.

pearlpower

So true , and a mean one at that. Enough to make most everyday muscle car owners squeal.