TIME MACHINE

Journey through 911&PW’S past

APRIL 1997 (ISSUE 41)

Boxster Tiptronic ‘S’ first full UK test! so screamed a blazing yellow coverline, out of an equally garish green background. Big news? Well, yes really. This was Porsche’s brave new world in action. The Boxster had been out for just under a year and while Tiptronic might get us excited now, in a world of PDK, it was a key element to the Boxster’s appeal. And the Boxster – in early 1997 – was really the only clue that we had as to what the new 911 might be like, given their parts sharing platform. As Editor, Chris Horton, said at the time: “We still don’t know exactly what the new 911 will be like, and it would be simplistic to view it as a Boxster with a fixed-head coupe body, but with a ‘996’ prefixed part number clearly visible on the hinges of the Boxter’s luggagecompartment lid, and a250bhp /3.0- litre engine due later this year, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that the two cars have a great deal in common.”

But back to the Boxster and this is what we liked and disliked: It was a thumbs-up for the ‘fabulously smooth engine, superb suspension, steering and brakes, plus fantastic powered hood.’ But a thumbs down for the Tiptronic ’box which needs: ‘patience – and plenty of practice – to give its best.’ Rather damning given the fundamental role of the Tiptronic in the driving proceedings.

Elsewhere in the issue, we celebrated 20-years of the 928, with a lovely early example and ruminating on the fact that it was exactly the same age as the first Star Wars movie, which was kind of apt since the 928 was rather space-age in 1977, when BL was still making the MGB, for example.

And the car that we drove for the feature had the distinction of being the very first 928 to be registered in Britain, a car that is still well known today.

Then as now, the Tried & Tested slot in the mag was hugely popular featuring a 3.2 Carrera Club Sport at £25,000 at Gantspeed and a ‘stunningly original’ 1968 911S for £14,995 at Edmond Harris.