CHEAP THRILLS
Once the runt of the litter, the 924 is now being appreciated as a true modern classic. The 924 S is hailed by many enthusiasts as the pick of the bunch…
The 924, though classed as ‘the great unloved’ (or worse, ‘not a proper Porsche’) for many years, has found something of an admiring fanbase in recent times, especially among those who like to get dirt under their nails. Early two-litre models have proved an excellent, low-cost entry point into Porsche ownership, offering simple mechanicals for the home spanner wielder to hone their craft, while later variants (ditching the launch model’s engine for a detuned 2.5-litre 944 lump) have started to increase in value beyond the asking price of a tidy 986 Boxster. In part, this revival is down to the dedication and knowledge-sharing of the award-winning owners club (porsche924.co.uk), a must-join community for anyone wanting to see their name on the logbook of a 924.
Andy Wexham, a former Porsche Classic Technician at Official Porsche Centre Leeds (one of four Porsche Classic Partner Centres in the UK, the others being OPCS Hatfield, Swindon and Glasgow) and now head of nearby marque specialist, RSR Developments, acknowledges the “mechanical bliss” delivered by working on and driving the 924 S, a late model produced between 1986 and 1988, offering similar power to the earlier 924 Turbo, but with improved reliability and a lower purchase price. Those plus points have, however, generated renewed interest in the model, with some standout original examples recently shifting for big money. Thankfully, there are many surviving S-badged 924s being offered around the five grand mark, though how long this will remain the case is anyone’s guess.
“The 924 S has been overlooked for far too long,” says Andy. “Parts are really easy to come by, not to mention fairly cheap. Anyone interested in working on their own Porsche, but coming at it from another marque, will immediately know where to begin pointing their toolkit due to the familiar layout of the 924 engine bay. The S was produced in relatively high numbers prior to discontinuation in September 1988, offers a really comfortable drive and close to 150bhp on tap. The very last examples added an extra ten horsepower to that figure. You won’t have any trouble finding a 924 S available for sale, which means you can be choosy when deciding which one to buy.”
The 924 S boasted much of the 944’s equipment, including suspension, brakes and interior trim. The 2.5-litre all-aluminium engine significantly improved upon the driving experience delivered by the early two-litre 924, but retained the qualities all 924s are known for, namely a near 50:50 front-back weight distribution — contributing to excellent road handling at all speeds — and a slinky narrow body, once considered too uninspiring against the muscular 944’s quarters, but now celebrated for simplicity of design and for providing the DNA for a line of popular Porsches spanning almost twenty years.
Special editions came and went, including the rare Le Mans Edition built in the final year of 924 S production. This is the model well worth holding out for. Lowered suspension, modelspecific seat fabric and striking body graphics over a choice of white-on-white or black-onsilver bodywork identify the model, which was produced in limited numbers, making finding one a difficult task in the present. Your best bet is to get in touch with the aforementioned owners club and ask if a member in charge of a Le Mans Edition is thinking of selling up. Chances are, if there’s an example for sale anywhere in the UK or Europe, these guys will know about it.
“The 924 S offers great motoring for reasonable money,” Andy reminds us. “You don’t have to go nuts restoring one, though there is an argument the rising value of these particular 924s makes serious spend on recommissioning work money well spent. I’d recommend finding the best example within your budget, but there’s nothing wrong with buying a 924 in need of attention, providing you can get the car at a sensible price, accommodating for the cost of the jobs you might be faced with. And, as
I look across my workshop at a 924 S work-inprogress, it should come as relief to know there are independent specialists experienced in the restoration and maintenance of these excellent Porsches,” he adds.