J1NX3D

more period photos. the 924 rallye turbo was based on the 924 carrera gtr:
( blatantly stolen from 924board!)

PuttingThePoorBackInPorsche

Was the 968 turbo 8v or 16v? I forget offhand.

J1NX3D

8v

Waterguy

Currently for sale in Las Vegas: 1981 924 Carrera GTR WPOZZZ93ZBS720022





and no, it is not mine.

George D

Porsche was heavily invested in the 911 racing circuit when the 968 was ending it's life. The 968 turbo was actually faster than the 911. Porsche management couldn't see having the 968 beating the 911 and having to finance both cars for racing just wasn't in the budget. Imagine running a small auto manufacturing company with two models competing against each other. Just doesn't make sence.

The 911 was always the best seller in their lineup and had/has a VERY loyal client base of repeat customers. The 944 line attracted new buyers, but never acquired the same repeat customer base. The hope was the 944 buyer would eventually become a 911 buyer. The 89 951 was more expensive than a base 911 at the time and it's fastest car. This probably scared management. It would have scared me if I was making decisions running the company. Don't fix it if it's not broken was probably going through management at that time.

The decision to drop the 968/front engine line was an economic/business decision.

Looking back, they probably made the right decision as the newer cars are water cooled and their sales were not hampered by dropping the 944/968 line.

There was much potential in the 944/968, but business and profitability come first.

I love the 944/968 cars. I've owned three and many other cars. My absolute favorite Porsche, for whatever reason, is the 944/968 line. It's amazing that an 89 951 with mods will keep up with ANY new porsche and it's almost 20 years old. Doing this with an 89 911 turbo is an entirely different proposition. Different strokes for different folks.

This is, of course, my personal opinion. Thanks for the pics!

George

Waterguy

Picture from the LeMans, 20 June 1982:


Driven by Jim Busby and Doc Bundy, USA (Marcel Mignot, Fr listed but did not drive) 16th overall, 1st in class (IMSA GTO.)

Current livery looks pretty authentic.

jturbo

I love that rally car. I would love to see that car in person, so that I could look at the suspension set-up. I have heard that the car was very sucessful throughout its racing carrer.

J1NX3D

last i saw it was going for US$250,000! most expensive 924 ever, lol!