Porsche 928S

Launched in 1978, the Porsche 928 was aimed squarely at the international jet set and still fuels your cataloguer’s fantasies of storming across Europe with a bootful of dodgy diamonds and a sultry French actress in the passenger seat. 

Looking positively futuristic even today, the 928 was initially fitted with a front-mounted 4.5-litre all-alloy V8 driving the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transaxle for perfect 50:50 weight distribution. With 240bhp on tap, it could scorch to 60 in under 7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 143mph. The radically simple teardrop body shape was mainly galvanised steel but with weight-saving aluminium doors, front wings and bonnet and polyurethane bumpers. Other innovations included a Weissach axle that passively steered the rear wheels in throttle-off cornering for greater road-holding.

It was so well received that it won the 1978 European Car of the Year Award, the only sports car ever to have won this award which usually goes to more humdrum saloons. It is also the car design that McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray once said that he admired above all others. In 1980 the car got better still with the launch of the 928S with a larger 4.7-litre engine now with 300bhp, front and rear spoilers and wider wheels.

First registered in April 1984, this particular 928S looks particularly cool in a period shade of Bronze with matching dark brown leather interior. In the current ownership for the last 10 years it has always been well maintained and has no fewer than 14 service stamps in the book up to 2001 at 121,102 miles (11 at the supplying dealer, Wilmslow Motor Co of Stockport, and the last at Autofarm of Oxford). There is also a service bill from Porsche specialist Bob Watson at 125,311 miles when the timing belt was replaced and the vendor states that it has been serviced once more since then, although the bill for this has been lost (the current mileage is 135,893).

Very little used in the last few years, the car has now developed a leak in the radiator but is otherwise said to drive very well and was issued with a fresh MOT in July while the tax is valid until next June. The car comes with all its original handbooks, the aforementioned service record and various bills for other expenditure. With a new radiator and some attention to the paintwork, this well-maintained example would make a practical daily driver which is sure to draw admiring glances from other road users.