Quite a story about Porsche’s first Gran Turismo from Weissach – “a radical renunciation of the rear-engine principle!” (Porsche executive board)
The information about Porsche 928 #1 and #2 and #6 is in the attached document and photographic archive below (compiled from around the Web) provided for DOWNLOAD (with more great photos inside).
Of interest is Porsche 928 #2 has been found !
Original Porsche 928 #1 Press Fleet Car
The 928’s world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1977 was a sensation, and the public was thrilled. Production of the 928 finally stopped in 1995, after a total of 61,056 vehicles had been built.
Porsche’s newly introduced 928’s were called a Press Fleet Construction (pre-production vehicles to Tour the World to promote the new design). *Photo credits in attached document download
Porsche website hosts this link regarding the Grand Prix White Porsche 928 #1 car — a fantastic read for ANY Porsche enthusiast to learn about the new technology developed. https://www.porsche.com/usa/aboutporsche/christophorusmagazine/archive/384/articleoverview/article02/
Andrew Phinney, 928 collector and historian owns Porsche 928 #1 (VIN #11) has found and purchased 928 #2. He reports as of now, half of the 12 prototype Press cars used for the 928 introduction are presently accounted for: 1,2,6,8,10, and 11.
This huge post in Rennlist tells his story! It took years of searching to find this car https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/1167432-928-2-a.html which supports / authenticates this wonderful Porsche 928 motorsports journey.
I met Andrew and saw the Porsche 928 #1 and #6 cars at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in July of 2017. I thought you might enjoy this story. The car had lived in London for some time.
DOWNLOAD HERE: Photo Journey at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in 2017 and the history of Porsche 928 #1, #2 and #6 (early Press Tour Pre Production Release Vehicles)
Andrew: Found and talked to a previous owner … (Vince)1984-1988.
1988-2019 (Bill) Owner I bought it from, Shelton CT
1984-1988 (Vince) — An American employee (from Rochester NY) for Kodak, Vince was sent to London England for Kodak from 1982-1984. Towards the end of the trip he bought #2 from a Londoner who didn’t like it because it was a LHD car (Left Hand Drive) in London. That owner bought the car in germany, then brought it to London, then regretted the LHD part. When the London gig for Kodak ended, Vince says Kodak paid to import and transport the car from London back to Rochester NY. He then had the car updated with side moldings and spoilers — to match the then-current 928S.
From 1984 to 1987 Vince used the car in and around Rochester NY. Vince says the sunroof was in the car when he bought it in London in 1984.
Vince and #2 moved to Connecticut in 1987, at that time he would take the train to Manhattan to work. He would park #2 at the train station pretty much all summer, all day. Bill (owner from 1988-2019) would see the car at the train station and of course coveted it. Bill eventually figured out he was on the same train as Vince every day, tracked him down, and asked him about the car. Sometime in 1988 Bill bought the car from Vince. History still to find.. 1977-1984. Vince also says he has old pics and documents to share with me, he just needs to find them, hopefully this will help with the earlier history.
It was this Craigslist advertisement that caught the eye of a 928 community member that set in progress the find of the first Porsche 928 built. The car was sitting in a field, the seller had no idea what the car was, other than “low serial number car” … the fact that Porsche used VIN 011 for the first car gave it some obscurity.
A comment from the owner of Porsche 928 #1 — A lot of people don’t know that I had #1 sitting in my garage for about five months before I bought it from Jim. (9-2016 to 2-2017) Besides having the great opportunity to thoroughly evaluate the car I also had a lot of reflection time with it. What challenges will this car present me outside of the usual old worn out 928?
What would I do with this thing if I owned it? What should I pay for it? etc.
A number of scenarios surfaced about what the car itself would go through with regard to repairs, maintenance, restoration, etc. Some minimal “must do” items were done so we could at least present the car as a complete and functioning unit. A lot of the paths considered lead to a full proper restoration and while it would be an amazing car to own and play with that way it could also end up in some private collection or glimmering under lights behind ropes somewhere.
I wrung my hands over how much to do and not do (and spend and not spend) and I still do. As we worked in a bit of a rush to get to the 2017 PVGP (Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix) lots of 928 guys were coming over to check it out and explore around in it . A bulb went on in my head one day that the car’s ratty condition combined with all of the unique originally it still possessed had actually presented a rare opportunity to the whole 928 community. This car was not going to have a “do not touch” sign in the window for any 928 enthusiast any time soon.
The concept of the “interactive display” of 928 #1 was born.
6-29-19 at PEC was the culmination of this concept for me. I have gotten so much from this community; friendships, advice, parts, cars, countless technical bailouts from the guys who take the time to detail their knowledge, laughter (some of the stuff on this forum is priceless https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/roflmao.gif ), free VIN checks (that despite my efforts to use up my allotted amount keep coming) the list goes on, I could never cover it all. These pictures are of my proudest moments so far with 928# 1… not videos, not magazine articles, but instead something that I can give back to all of you. To me THIS is the most important use for this car, thank you all for helping me make the concept a reality:
The 928 was a radical Sports Car departure for Porsche vectoring off from the 911 ‘slant’ rear engine design into a GT configuration. A defining -and notorious- feature of the new 928 design was the ‘fast’ shaft transaxle of drive system components. The ‘Weissach’ axle. It did (performed) well at the Veedol Endurance Race on the Nürburgring and at the 24 Hours of Daytona as well !
The Porsche 911 almost bit-the-dust and ceased production in the 1980’s when Porsche was taking a financial beating .. and losing money. That decision was reversed (“in just his third week as Porsche CEO, Mr. Schutz reversed the company’s earlier decision to cease production of the 911″).
The car’s (the 911) success continues to justify this move, as the 911 has been regarded as an iconic vehicle and the ultimate sports car for over five decades. Positioned at the heart of the brand, the 911 inspires car enthusiasts around the world and is now considered the benchmark for all other sports cars.
Mr. Schutz furthered the expansion of the transaxle model range with the introduction of the 944 Turbo, 944 S and 944 S2 as well as their equivalent convertible variants.
And my 968 … another story for another day …
If you liked that story ?! Check out the restoration and re-introduction the only 1953 Porsche 356 ALU Cabrio #1 — One of One — https://milehighgarage.biz/?page_id=1155 Aluminum chassis model 356 designed and constructed by Porsche.
