HomePick of the DayHigher-power 1987 Porsche 924S

Higher-power 1987 Porsche 924S

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Porsche’s first front-engine water-cooled sports car for the road, the 924, was considered a performance flop at the time, although sales were strong and helped the German automaker remain afloat. 

The coupe was designed jointly with Volkswagen as Porsche’s entry-level model, replacing the mid-engine, air-cooled 914, and was powered by a 94-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that was considered not really up to snuff for the vaunted sports-car brand.  Power rose slightly in ensuing years.

Porsche
The 924S wears the correct ‘phone-dial’ wheels

But the car’s handling was right up there, Porsche having moved the transmission to the rear for nearly ideal balance, so the 924 was well-appreciated by canyon-carvers despite its modest power delivery.

The Pick of the Day, a 1987 Porsche 924S, was a major step up, however, after Porsche fitted its most-affordable sports car with the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine as the 944, slightly detuned to 147 horsepower compared with 163 in the bigger car.  The suspension also was improved. 

The reason for the 924S engine upgrade was twofold: to bring more power to the 924, naturally, but more so because VW had decided to stop manufacturing the 2.0-liter engine, leaving Porsche in the lurch.

Porsche
The factory interior looks well-maintained

This 924S is described by the Grand Rapids, Michigan, dealer advertising the car on ClassicCars.com, as a well-maintained, rust-free coupe “previously owned by a Porsche Club of America member,” and showing just over 90,000 miles.

“The car has just undergone a comprehensive, $3,500+ servicing with a new water-pump/timing belt kit, with thermostat, associated tensioners, rollers and the like replaced,” the dealer says in the ad, noting that the belt replacement was completed using the correct tension-setting tool.

“Other maintenance performed at the same time included a new distributor, coil and rotor; new spark plugs and wires; a power-steering hose replacement; fuel-supply hose replacement; replacement of front wheel bearings; addition of stainless-steel brake lines; brake-fluid flush; and oil, fuel and air filters changed.

Porsche
The Porsche has been repainted in the original silver

“In addition, the car’s air-conditioning was fully serviced and blows cold.

The car is factory equipped with optional front and rear sway bars, the seller says, and the original cloth-and-leather interior is free of defects. The car was repainted in its original Zermatt silver, which is glossy and in good condition, according to the ad.  The removable sunroof comes with its original storage bag.

“A period-correct Blaupunkt SQ-49 cassette/AM/FM stereo is in place, and it has been reconditioned with Bluetooth capability added,” the seller says.

Porsche
The Porsche has factory suspension upgrades

The four-owner Porsche comes with most maintenance records, dealer forms and documentation, plus its original manuals and tools, the dealer says.

So-called transaxle Porsches – 924, 924S, 944, 964 and 928 – have been growing in popularity among collectors as of late, but the 924S remains relatively affordable.   This one is priced at a reasonable $12,900.

“This 924S is solid, rattle-free and drives virtually as-new, shifting crisply through all five gears,” the dealer adds. “The exhaust note above 4,000 rpm is a delight.”

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

 

Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen
Bob Golfen is a longtime automotive writer and editor, focusing on new vehicles, collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. He is the former automotive writer and editor for The Arizona Republic and SPEED.com, the website for the SPEED motorsports channel. He has written free-lance articles for a number of publications, including Autoweek, The New York Times and Barrett-Jackson auction catalogs. A collector car enthusiast with a wide range of knowledge about the old cars that we all love and desire, Bob enjoys tinkering with archaic machinery. His current obsession is a 1962 Porsche 356 Super coupe.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Nice example of a 924S with its proper up to date maintanence! Non sunroof models are very rare and more desirable by enthusiast, autocross and club racers. Selling at Amelia Island in 2017 for $19,000 at RM Sotheby’s collector car auction and also one in California’s Monterey car week for $20,000 , the 924S has been increasing in value and a bargain for now.

  2. I bought this car and happy to say it’s as good as described. Thanks to dealer for a great experience and previous owner for keeping it in great shape

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