Captain_Slow

The 928 was tested in all extreme driving situations. I think there were some used as rally cars. Of course an S4 just went around the World with minor mods and now sits in the Porsche museum (I think...may be a different museum). Even on average paved roads if I drove the 86.5 with sport package for more than an hour I was ready for my couch...and the PO openly told me "It's fun, but I always feel worn out after a long trip". This reinforced my assumption that springs and shocks were both stiffer. Getting in and out of the sport seats was also more work...huge side bolsters. My S4 is MUCH more comfortable.

Strosek Ultra

Right but the main purpose for a GT-car like the 928 is high speed driving on the German Autobahn. It is too bad Germany seems to be the only country where that kind of activity is legal. Of course you can drive your 928 on gravel roads but it is very uncomfortable, the car will get very dirty and your nice shiny paint job will get destroyed from flying rocks both from your own car and from oncoming cars.
During the winter months most car manufacturer from down the European continent take their test cars up to the northern part of Sweden and also Finland to test the cars under very cold conditions and on ice and snow. I am sure Porsche has had 928 cars up there for testing.
Åke

Captain_Slow

I'm with you on avoiding gravel or muddy roads. I just don't want to have to clean it afterwards. I didn't have a choice at the time. I lived at the top of a 1500 ft ridge overlooking the Shenandoah Valley, and shared a branching gravel driveway with two other homes. The "trunk" of the drive we shared was about a quarter of a mile long..and was a washboard. That's what shook my fillings. I quickly learned to drive in and out very slowly to avoid being shaken and kicking up the dust. Now..when I was driving my Unimog 416 (more often)...whole different experience





Fenders off the Mog for rust repair.

Strosek Ultra

I am sure you had a wonderful view from the top of the ridge. Found some very nice pictures from Shenandoah Valley online. The Unimog 426, also a German vehicel made by Mercedes Benz, must be the ultimate vehicle for gravel roads and off road driving.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unimog
Åke

Captain_Slow

Mogs are just about unstoppable with chains. I drove it through 32 inch snow after the "Snomageddon" storm in 2010. Air lockers at front and rear diffs, center mechanical locking at the transmission (integral to the trans...no T-case), 4 forward high, 4 forward low, and 4 reverse low gears, and a 125HP PTO up front. Mogs are the most interesting, dependable, and capable vehicles I've ever owned. I hope to have another one, but when I do the 928 won't be able to get up the driveway so it will fund part of the Mog purchase. They do have something in common...Torque Tubes!! (on some Mogs they are pressurized to about 1.5 bar to keep water out).

SMTCapeCod

There are some great videos posted here and on youtube of a 928 running rallies in Ireland and Northern Europe...light blue car, but can't recall the owner's rlist handle.

Edit: Found it, Username "Cortina" if interested.