Cars

This lot will be auctioned via Historics Classic and Sportscar Auctioneers, Ascot Racecourse sale on Saturday 14th of September, SL5 7JX. Introduced at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show, the 928 was conceived (and priced) as the flagship of the Porsche range. A luxurious GT, it was styled in-house by American Tony Lapine as a replacement for the ageing, compromised 911. Ultimately, the newcomer failed to usurp its tail-heavy sibling despite becoming the only sports car ever to win the European Car of the Year title (1978). Built around a galvanised steel monocoque, the 2+2 made extensive use of aluminium for its wheels, doors, bonnet, transaxle housing, front suspension wishbones, rear suspension uprights, upper links and main cross member. This practice not only saved weight but also contributed to near perfect 49:51 weight distribution. Available with a choice of manual or automatic transmission (housed in its award-winning passive rear steer Weissach transaxle) the 928 was regarded as a crushingly capable Grand Tourer. The subject of continual development, the model evolved through S, S2, S4 and GT guises before the arrival of the final GTS version at the 1991 Frankfurt Motor Show. Reputedly capable of over 170mph, this uber 928 was powered by an enlarged 5397cc DOHC 32-valve V8 that developed some 350bhp and 369lbft of torque. Riding on special five-spoke seventeen-inch alloys, it further benefited from four-wheel vented disc ABS brakes (complete with four-pot Brembo callipers) and a computer-controlled limited slip differential.One of 45 UK supplied right hand drive and 51 worldwide, finished in the delightful Horizon Blue with light grey leather, this is the highly sought after and extremely rare manual gearbox version. It comes with a huge history file including its original service book and two keys, this car has been dry stored for the past five years, so will require recommissioning, although on inspection, the car started immediately. Values of these cars have been steadily rising and with the manual gearbox this surely would appear to be a solid investment. Consigned by John Dutton

The Porsche 928 was designed as a luxury grand tourer and has been noted for its refined balance of performance and comfort.