5 Iterations of Porsche 924 That You Forgot Existed
Once considered an outcast by purists, the Porsche 924 is a car of its time. Originally a model meant to be shared by VW, it evolved into a world-class sports car, winning races and offering the performance and features of a true Porsche.
The Porsche 924
Even today, the Porsche 924 is seen as the stepchild of Stuttgart. It's an out-of-wedlock product between VW and Porsche with an engine shared by the AMC Gremlin and a transmission from a VW Van. But if that's all you see, you're missing out. As a replacement for the VW-Porsche 914, it was a giant step forward. The design inspired Mazda's RX-7. It was the first Porsche with a rear transaxle, beating the 928 to market by two years. And while early cars lacked power, it was one of the best-handling cars of the time. Plus, like any true Porsche, there are a number of cool models, special editions, and race versions.
Photo: Porsche
Martini & Rossi 924
The Porsche 924 Martini & Rossi edition was a limited-edition trim package for the 1977 Porsche 924. Commemorating Porsche's racing victories under Martini & Rossi's sponsorship, only 3,000 cars were produced. All cars came with white paint, white painted wheels, and red and blue stripes. Inside they featured red trim and carpet, and a plaque celebrating the victories of 69, 70, 71, and 76 Martini Rossi racing cars. Underpowered and strangled by emissions controls, it's the early 924 to have and is appreciating in value.
Photo: Porsche
Porsche 924 Turbo
Porsche knew the 924 was underpowered from the start. People expecting 911 performance were quickly disappointed. So Porsche took a page from the 911's playbook and turbocharged the 924. The transformation was immediate. 0-60 times dropped from over 10 seconds to 7.5 seconds and the top speed increased to 134 mph. Finally, the 924 had the power to back up its looks and great handling. In fact, it even rivaled the base 911's performance around a race track.
Photo: Motocar Studio
924 Weissach Edition
The 924 Weissach Edition was another limited edition trim model for 1981. This package included special BBS wheels, champagne gold paint, and Porsche's 5-speed manual transmission instead of the Audi sourced one. Unfortunately, it did not get the turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter engine, making do with 115 horsepower in US spec. But in spite of the power deficiency, it made a great grand touring car. This model was the last of the line in the US until the 924S made an appearance in 1987.
Photo: Pelican Parts
Porsche 924 S
Back in the US market for 1987, the 924 retained its familiar shape and interior. The big upgrade was the Porsche 944's 2.5-liter engine. It also got the 944's transaxle, suspension, and "Phone Dial" wheels. Unfortunately, the 924 only lasted two years before bowing out for the final time. Originally meant as an entry-level alternative to the 944, foreign exchange rates put it into the 944's price range. But it offered better performance than a base 944, due to the lighter, narrower body. Porsche finally got the 924 right, but it was 10 years too late.
Photo: Hemmings
924 Carrera GT
The 924 Turbo worked so well Porsche decided to take it racing. They bumped up the compression, added an intercooler, flared fenders, and went racing. The result was the 924 Carrera GT that won many races and class wins in the early 1980s. Porsche also produced and sold 400 road-going versions of the 924 Carrera GT. It's the ultimate 924 with 0-60 times under seven seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. These cars are highly sought after today and trade hands for prices in the low six-figures.
Image: Porsche
924 Carrera GTS Rally Car
Walter Rohrl is a prolific rally and endurance racer whose career spanned the 1970s to the early 1990s. He's won a number of prestigious rally events, including four Monte Carlo Rally victories and a class win at Le Mans. In 1981 he raced this Porsche 924 Carrera GTS, winning four races and taking second place in the WRC standings. Reunited with the car recently he said, "The strengths of the 924 were its handling and traction, not the power. And everything kept working. That is typical for Porsche.” While his comments were directed towards the 924 Carrera GTS, they also sum up the best qualities of all 924s.
Image: Porsche
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