Description
The Porsche 928 was produced between 1977 and 1982 and was intended to be the successor to the legendary air-cooled 911 which was perceived to be under threat from increasing legislation. However the 911 has since proven to be immortal, at least so far and is still in production.
The 928 was launched in March 1977 at the Geneva Motor Show using prototype examples and was a wholly new design with a 4, 474cc, water-cooled, V8 engine with alloy block placed in front of the driver, not behind. The new unit featured overhead camshafts and K-Jetronic fuel injection and produced some 240 bhp. A transaxle gearbox was mounted at the rear to optimise weight distribution. The 928 was capable of 140 mph and a 0-60 time of 7 seconds and in 1978 was named ‘Car of The Year’.
The first production RHD UK 928s arrived in late 1978 as the USA was given production preference as it was historically Porsche’s biggest export market.
Chassis the details below is the first right-hand-drive 928 imported into the UK and a pre-production prototype for right-hand-drive cars - as confirmed by David Hemmings in his book ‘Porsche 928’. This 5-speed manual example was built in August 1977 some twelve months before RHD 928s went into production.
The car was delivered to Porsche Cars Great Britain headquarters in Reading in early 1978, in time for the British Motor Show and was first registered on the 1st February 1978.
This well-documented 928 was used as an official press car and demonstration purposes and was subsequently on display at the Midland Motor Museum in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The car returned to Porsche Cars Great Britain around 1984/ 85 and was used as a training vehicle for technicians until it was parked up until 1994 when it was acquired in March 1994 by Porsche enthusiast, the late John Vaughan.
Though complete, intact and original, the 928 had been somewhat neglected since its days as a training vehicle so John and his two sons set about restoring the car. The 928 was professionally painted at Porsche Cars GB and photographs on file document the refinishing process. In addition, new tyres, brake pads, brake fluid and a complete set of belts were fitted along with new spark plugs, oil and filters and clutch slave cylinder.
The interior was finished from new in classic Porsche Pascha cloth and only required the driver’s seat to be rebuilt, a repair to a rear carpet and a thorough clean. A Porsche Cars GB mechanic pointed out that the driver’s seat wasn’t sagging because of wear but that the opposite was true, it had hardly been used, which indicated the sub-15, 000 miles on the odometer was genuine.
On completion in 1995, the 928 passed its MOT with no issues and took to the road once more.
During the restoration process an application was made to the Porsche factory for a replacement key and John was told the only record of the car’s key was a code C0000 and that no duplicate keys had been made, and that no record had been kept of the original key-cut design. This and other details indicated the car was a prototype. On inspection of the front of the scuttle it is appears the car was constructed from a left-hand-drive shell using specially-made parts and that the windscreen wiper spindles had been hastily relocated to the right-hand-side. The dashboard is hand-stitched and there is no glovebox, maybe there wasn’t time to install one in the factory’s haste to ready the car for the UK market. Additionally, the foot pedals are oddly offset and the steering column wiring is visible through the trim, all very un-Porsche-like.
A story was related to John by a Porsche Cars GB technician from when the car was offered for type approval; a Department of Trade representative asked; “have the headlights been changed to left-hand dip and is it indicated on the headlights?” The Porsche GB man replied “yes but now it’s time for a coffee”. Whilst everyone was having their hard-earned coffee break, left pointing arrows were quietly etched on the headlight glasses - and are still visible.
The car has since become somewhat of a UK Porsche celebrity having been displayed at many events. It was also loaned to Goodwood for their 2010 ‘Grand Touring Greats’ display and again for the ‘V8 Greats’ display of 2014 in the Earl’s Court Motor Show Hall at the Revival. The 928 has been borrowed on several occasions by Porsche Cars GB, once for a run up the hill at the Festival of Speed and for display at the UK launch of the Porsche Panamera. It has also made appearances at many Porsche Club GB events over the years.
This 928 has even featured on TV, in two episodes of Top Gear and an edition of Wheeler Dealers. In addition the car has appeared in print in multiple motoring publications including Classic Cars, Porsche Post, 911 & Porsche World, Practical Classics and GT Porsche magazine as well as in David Hemmings’ book ‘Porsche 928’.
KMS Workshop of Crondall, Hampshire maintained the car for John with the last oil and filter service being carried out in July 2021. During the service the brakes were checked and new spark plugs fitted along with a new battery. In early 2024 the car was displayed at the Porsche Classic event at Porsche Centre Bournemouth at their request.
As can be seen from the recorded history below, the car has been used very sparingly and was taken off the road each winter as evidenced by the regular SORN (Statutory Off Road Notice) letters on file.
In summary, this is truly a unique opportunity to acquire a slice of British Porsche history. Aside from its pre-production prototype and official press car background, this 928 is still a very desirable example with a little over 22, 000 miles showing on the odometer, 5-speed manual gearbox, iconic Pascha interior and Teledial wheels and, with only one former keeper - Porsche Cars Great Britain.
Recorded history:
09/ 04/ 1997, MOT, 14, 338 miles
01/ 06/ 1998, MOT, 15, 610 miles
16/ 08/ 2000, MOT, 16, 773 miles
18/ 10/ 2001, MOT, 16, 906 miles
01/ 07/ 2002, MOT, 16, 911 miles
26/ 08/ 2003, MOT, 17, 812 miles
27/ 08/ 2004, MOT, 18, 235 miles
29/ 09/ 2005, maintenance KMS Workshop, 19, 661 miles
28/ 09/ 2005, MOT, 19, 661 miles
02/ 04/ 2007, insurance valuation, 19, 938 miles
06/ 09/ 2007, MOT, 19, 957 miles
07/ 09/ 2007, maintenance KMS Workshop 19, 957 miles
27/ 03/ 2008, insurance valuation, 20, 278 miles
02/ 10/ 2008, MOT, 20, 281 miles
24/ 03/ 2009, insurance valuation, 20, 302 miles
09/ 09/ 2010, MOT, 20, 413 miles
28/ 09/ 2011, MOT, 20, 649 miles
06/ 08/ 2013, MOT, 20, 768 miles
29/ 08/ 2014, MOT, 20, 937 miles
29/ 09/ 2015, MOT, 21, 248 miles
03/ 05/ 2017, MOT, 21, 370 miles
01/ 10/ 2019, MOT, 21, 576 miles
05/ 04/ 2021, maintenance, 21, 724 miles
16/ 07/ 2021, MOT, 21, 736 miles
06/ 06/ 2023, MOT, 21, 845 miles
10/ 06/ 2024, MOT, 21, 977 miles
