BACKGROUND

With the rear-engined 911 not anticipated to survive for more than another decade, 1971 saw Porsche begin work on an upmarket front-engined Grand Tourer that could better adopt to ever-changing safety and emissions legislation.

As a consequence of its more conventional layout, the resultant 928 was also expected to have broader market appeal than the somewhat quirky and occasionally difficult to handle 911.

Following its introduction at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1977, the 928 went on to be voted 1978 European Car of the Year – the first time this prestigious accolade had been bestowed upon a sports-type machine.

During its first year of production, Porsche managed to shift a little under 4000 examples of the 928 (3830 to be precise). However, despite having been a superior proposition to its ageing rivals from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Aston Martin and Maserati, there was a feeling that, with its conservatively tuned low compression engine, the 928 was yet to reach its true potential.

Accordingly, just two years after the 928 broke cover, a further enhanced variant was added to the range for the 1980 model year: the 928 S.

Unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1979, the 928 S was priced at around 15% more than a regular 928 (but still 10% less than a 911 Turbo). For that not inconsiderable premium, customers received a car most notably equipped with an enlarged and 25% more powerful engine plus new forged alloy wheels and a downforce-inducing spoiler pack.

Unfortunately though, as a consequence of its more polluting engine, the 928 S was not initially offered for sale in North America. Instead, customers from this region had to make do with a regular 928 dressed up to resemble an S model.