6 Styling Cues the 928 Shares with Other Cars
Each passing year brings more love for the first front-engined V-8 Porsche with an air conditioned glovebox. Does the 928 look similar to any other cars to you? We have some suggestions. Let's take a deep look at its surface.
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There's a song by alt-music heroes Pere Ubu called My Theory of Spontaneous Simultude in which they posit "everything is like something else." Well the 928, designed by Wolfgang Möbius while working under Porsche's chief designer Anatole Lapine, is no exception. In fact Porsche's first luxury GT car is a lot like more than one something.
1. Lamborghini Miura
Spot the similarity yet? Debuting in 1966, the Marcello Gandini-penned Laborghini Miura is one of the most beautiful cars ever made. The headlamps on the Miura may rotate less, and arrive in a more laid-back position, but they work the same as the 928. Both treatments seem at home within the curves of their respective automobiles, and it's hard to picture either car without them. Despite the long hoodline the Lambo is actually mid-engined, unike the Porsche, and powered by a transversely mounted 3.9 liter V-12. Both cars shed weight through the use of aluminum for doors and hoods, though their designers took different approaches to crash protection—Porsche gracefully integrating bumpers, and the Italian car maker simply not bothering with any.
2. Alfa Romeo 4C
Now a trademark feature of new Alfa Romeos, the wheels on the 4C are one of its most striking features, and one it shares with the 928. Porsche 'phone dial' alloys differ in proportion but not in form from their Italian cousins, and we assume Alfa's designers found inspiration in them. Even a quick glance through the forum reveals a lot of members have opted to replace these original wheels with later styles, or aftermarket wheels. You have to wonder what the primary reasons for swapping them were. Larger diameter pieces that accommodate better brakes or modern tires? Looks? Damage to the originals? Would you fit a set of old school "phone dials" if they were available?
3. 1980s Dodge Daytona/Plymouth Laser
Honestly, it's only the side windows. That's it. But the angles are so similar it's hard not to think of these three cars when someone utters the words "trapezoidal windows." You know, like at a dinner party. Happens all the time. As far as being a 'classic' goes, there is a classic Dodge Charger, but this isn't it. With '80s cars gaining momentum among enthusiasts, there's a chance we'll see some of these on the road again some day soon.
4. Jensen Interceptor
Jensen Interceptors share the traits of V-8 power up front, and luxury inside, with the Porsche. In the Jensen's case the engine is a cast iron Chrysler big block (how did so many Mopars get on this list?), and not the advanced DOHC alloy unit under the 928's bonnet. The tail of the British car is a bit more bulbous than that of the German, but they both belong to an exclusive rear styling club.
5. AMC Pacer
You probably hoped this wouldn't make the list, but just the fact that you thought of it is proof that it belongs here. What you see above is the unloved (beloved?) AMC Pacer. There's no denying the similarity so don't try. If this proves anything it's that there's an attractive way to do a thing, and an ugly way, but of course, ugly is in the eye of the beholder. Whether it was packaging or aerodynamic efficiency that made them take this road, they came up in the same neighborhood. Both cars have much better-loved siblings, but there seems to be plenty of enthusiasts for both the 928 and the Pacer. (Trivia Time: Both of these cars have siblings which used the VW/Audi 2.0 liter 4 cylinder motor, the 924 and the AMC Spirit/Gremlin).
6. Mystery Tail Lights
Let's be honest, we need your help with this one. We know we've seen these these somewhere before. Likely candidates seemed to be 71-73 Chrysler Corp. muscle cars, but the results of that line of thinking are what you see above. Though the rectangular panel styles are similar, they're not what you would call ringers. Perhaps we're wrong and these are unique to Porsche. Which do you prefer? The original tail treatment, or the smoother, more conventional redesign of later models?
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