Porsche 928 Auto

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Launched in 1978, the Porsche 928 initially used 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 237bhp 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. It was to remain in production until 1995 despite having a shaky start - its front engine layout proving a bit too radical for the Porsche traditionalist until they got used to the idea and realised what a cracking GT car it was.

This early and nicely presented 928 was repatriated to mainland UK last year after spending 23 years in sunny Jersey. This may well account for its solid bodywork, which has received a glass-out respray since arrival on these shores. The alloy wheels have been refurbished and the car given a full fluid service and fitted with a new cambelt and waterpump by Fuzz Townshend of TVs ‘Car SOS’ fame, the fitting of which was videoed for YouTube.

Described by the vendor as a pleasure to drive and showing good oil pressure, he advises that everything works as it should with the exception of the electric mirrors, rear wiper and air conditioning which needs re-gassing. It is MOTd until June 2015 and has covered 149,000 miles from new.

It is often the case that the earliest version of a particular classic is the most appealing. Closer in concept to the original designer’s intentions, their purity often makes them the most pleasurable to drive, even if they weren't the best equipped or most powerful.

With the value of early 911s reaching astonishing heights of late, this well presented, first series 928 looks like a very interesting proposition. The words ‘cast iron’, ‘copper bottomed’ and ‘blue chip’ spring to mind...