PORSCHE 924 TURBO
Year of manufacture 1981 Recorded mileage 103,100km Asking price €21,000 Vendor Carjager, Paris, France; 0033 6 44 60 68 33; carjager.com WHENITWASNEW Price £13,998 Max power 177bhp Max torque 184lb ft 0-60mph 7.7 secs Top speed 142mph Mpg 25
You could be forgiven for asking what the point of a 924 turbo is, in a world where 944s with just as much power are available for far less outlay. But the 924’s skinnier track, narrower tyres and lighter body make these special cars, and this is an unusually great example of this rare model.
Lightweight, rear-wheel drive and perfectly balanced, the 924 was calling out for more power, and in 1978 it arrived in the turbo. It was still the early days of turbocharging, and 168bhp from an eight-valve 2-litre was impressive stuff, showing off Porsche’s forced-induction expertise learned in motorsport. A contemporary Saab 900 turbo, for example, produced 143bhp.
It was Stuttgart’s quick solution to get more power into the 924, but soon became irrelevant when Porsche developed its new 2.5-litre, 16-valve ‘four’ and launched the 944. The 924 turbo was canned for all but the Italian market as a result, but not before this one was delivered to its French owner in April 1981. I’ve picked it because it’s pretty much the perfect 924 turbo for someone seeking a collectible example that they can still drive today. The mileage is low enough to have kept the black-and-tweed interior in great shape: there’s just a tiny crack on the dash top, as these cars are susceptible to, plus none of the questionable browns and beiges so often found in 924s. Yet it isn’t a mileage so low that the next owner will be able to hear all of its value pouring out the exhaust pipe with each rev.
Its metallic-grey paintwork is similarly appealing to modern palates, too – unlike the divisive two-tone schemes of many turbos – while the correct alloys are present and in fine order. Mechanically strong and relatively resistant to rust, the only major work this 924 has had recently is a thorough service. A full history is promised with the car, including invoices that show fettling carried out by well-known specialists. Being a 1981 model, it also benefits from a reworked turbo that reduced lag and boosted power to 177bhp.
With just 113 924 turbos licensed on UK roads, it is well worth the trip to Paris to get such a good example – and the plus side of their appreciation is that collectability should make the question of LHD less of a hindrance when it eventually comes to selling on. Those living in or near London’s ULEZ should be particularly keen: I can’t think of many more modern-feeling sports cars that gain exemption via historic status than this.
SUMMARY
CHOSEN BY Charlie Calderwood
FOR Rare, sweet-handling coupé in brilliant condition
AGAINST Left-hand drive, and a 944 is cheaper
WHY SHOULD I BUY IT?
It’s a collector car that you won’t be afraid to drive, and should prove rewarding when you do