There’s never been a better opportunity to get your hands on a Porsche.
The 924 is fast approaching classic status and this one is turbo enhanced.
Better still it’s likely to go for only $10,000 – $15,000 when it goes under the hammer in Sydney later this month.
Developed in conjunction with Volkswagen as a replacement for the mid-engined 914, Porsche’s 924 eventually became a second model alongside the 911 after VW pulled out of the project.
Breaking new ground on several fronts, this was Porsche’s first front-engined design, the first to feature four in-line cylinders and water-cooling.
The modern bodywork possessed excellent aerodynamics and had several ground-breaking features, including a large glass hatchback and pop-up headlights.
A total break with tradition from the 911, the 924 also influenced the styling of Porsche’s new flagship — the similarly front-engined 928.
With impeccable handling characteristics in the best Zuffenhausen tradition, the 924 was a relatively affordable, well-equipped sports car that came in for plenty of praise from the motoring press when unveiled back in 1975.
The modest power of the original 924 was overcome to a large extent with the launch of a Turbo version in 1979.
With 170 bhp under the bonnet (125kW) it neatly bridged the gap between the 924 and 911.
In addition to forced induction, Porsche adjusted the K-Jetronic fuel injection and fitted an auxiliary oil cooler.
Exterior changes included additional cooling slots in the front valance and between the pop-up headlights, blacked-out window frames and a black polyurethane spoiler at the rear.
The suspension was uprated to cope with the extra power, and new five-bolt 15-inch alloy wheels were standard, which allowed larger ventilated discs to be fitted.
Underscoring just how good the original 924 concept was, Porsche further developed the model into the 944 and ultimately the 968, extending the life of its front-engined sports car to almost two decades of production.
Now more than 30 years old, the 924 is fast approaching classic status and now is an excellent time to snap one up.
Ordered through John Newell Porsche of Darlinghurst in 1979, this 924 was optioned with Alpine White duco and contrasting black/white houndstooth upholstery, along with automatic transmission, headlamps washers, an electric RHS mirror, rear wiper, sunroof, air conditioning, centre arm rest, Porsche side lettering and alarm.
The first and only owner made the decision to upgrade the Porsche in 1987 with a turbo and intercooler installed by Phil Ward Automotive Services on October 13, along with a turbo bonnet, rear spoiler and rear valance plus air horns and CD player.
Still in the original colours, the Porsche rides on Compomotive alloy wheels shod with almost new Pirelli P7 rubber and has been routinely serviced by Porsche specialists.
Driven sparingly, the 924 is now showing just over 50,000km on the odometer, a remarkably low figure given the fact it’s now 40 years old.
Registered in NSW until May 2020, the Porsche comes with full history and will be sold with no reserve.
Supplied with books and a spare set of keys, the car also comes with an original 924 sales brochure.
Shannons will auction the car on Monday, November 18 from 7.00pm.
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