PORSCHE 928
The 928 was for a different sort of individual. The then atypical Porsche combined a transmission, axle and differential in one integrated assembly in the rear. The front-mounted type M28 single overhead camshaft, water-cooled V8 engine displaced 4.5 litres and featured a Bosch K-jetronic fuel injection system – and just as atypical from its rear-engined siblings, this configuration helped the new “Type 928” for 1977 achieve near 50/50 weight distribution. The car technically different from others on the road had the right to look different. Catching the attention of many including the likes of Stanley Kubrick and Steve Jobs, its lay-flat/pop-up headlamps (a nod to the Miura), flared wheelarches and curvy flanks can easily be described as a marvel of mid-century design.
Though given the cosmetic modesty of Porsche's exterior design, it's surprising to see quite the opposite once inside. While most other manufacturers of sports cars battled for attention and flash, unostentatious bodies would cloak alternative materials such as a cord, tweed and houndstooth. A daring selection of interior collections in the 1970s showed us just how wild the Stuttgart design studio could be. Though no one seating surface is more synonymous with the era than the chequered flag inspired Pasha seating which, in itself, is inspired by op artist
Bridget Riley's 1961 Movement in Squares. Like the very first 928 and the ’77 Road & Track press vehicle (car 6), chassis 9288200477 is an example of an early narrow-bodied 928 that wears Riley's midcentury velour psychedelia.
Shrouded under largely original Cashmere beige paint and complete with its books, manuals and service records, this matching numbers Porsche is superbly wellpreserved. The five-speed manual automobile, something of a rarity, has had just two owners, who between them covered less than 21,000 miles. There are recent servicing invoices, and every aspect of this watercooled tourer can be described as excellent.
PORSCHE 928
Sale lot no: 11
Year: 1978
Chassis no: 9288200477
Engine no: 8280502
Auction: Bonhams, The Scottsdale Auction
Where: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
When: 16th January, 2020
Pre-sale estimate: $45,000–$55,000 (£34,700–£42,400)
Sold for: $75,040 (£57,800)
The images and descriptions of the 914/6 GT and the 911 GT3 RS 3.6 appear courtesy of Gooding & Company (001 310 899 1960, goodingco.com); the images and description of the Carrera GT appear courtesy of RM Sotheby’s (+44 (0)20 7851 7070, rmsothebys.com); the images and description of the 928 appear courtesy of Bonhams (+44 (0)20 7447 7447, bonhams.com). Sale prices include the buyer’s premium.