Just added sweet 5-spd '81 928 to my P-Car Collection

Get ready for a long story.

Long-time Porsche owner & lover.  I bought my '80 924 Turbo to restore. I meant to keep it as it was a rare "Introductory Model", #201 of only 600.  My first restore was a '76 914 in 6 years ago after being stored in friends barn for 12 years..  The 931 was well-stored for 17 years and I got it running like new, looking great. I had to learn CIS first. It sold me on a transaxle P-car.  Driving a good friends 944 only added to that.  I wanted a 928.

But golly, I could not find a decent one or a daily driver that was a 5-spd for less than more money than I was willing to spend..  I didn't want a project car.  While I'm a good mechanic with a full shop, the complexity of the 928 made me want one that was already sorted out.  Good luck.  Mucho $$ was the only way.

I gave up on having a 928 ever, and ended up with probably the sweetest 944 S on the planet - all original, looks, runs and drives like new, needs nothing.  Been happy with it since Sept. last year and have put over 4k miles on it with no issues. (should I post a pic here?)

Two weeks ago a good friend of mine had me on a serious search for a Boxster. I must’ve looked out 50 of them for him. Out of nowhere he sends me this red 928 to look at and he wants it.

The craigslist ad in Arlington Virginia said the car was fully sorted a daily driver and needed nothing. It had a line upon line of meticulous detail of work that had been done.  Unlike most Craigslist ads.  I asked my friend if I should call the owner he said yes. The owner turns out to be an electrical engineer like me who also had a Cayman S, a 9/11 Sand a Cayenne S.  I've had my 987.2 S for 10 years.  My 2nd Cayman.

After a 45 minute call with the owner who was like my clone, I told my friend that he must buy the car and it was worth at least $10,000 more than what the guy was asking.  Why CL and not BAT?  He wanted to see if he could sell it w/o the BAT hassle & $$$.

Later I sent my friend an email asking him "Do you really want a 40 year old car instead of a 20 year old car? Are you prepared for the maintenance on this incredibly complex car that is 42 years old?"  He is a wrench with a nice shop - but......     He responded the next morning say no you’re right I’m back to looking for a Boxster.  He told me that I should buy the 928.

At the asking price, I had to see the car to see if it was as good as it looked. The owner offered to drive halfway from Arlington and to meet me in Fredericksburg, a 50 min drive or each of us.  My PORSCHE genius/expert friend Rick and I drove there Friday.

We drove the car and found it amazing. Purrs like a kitten pulls like a Corvette and handles better than a 911 - it was amazing. Exterior was amazing.  Interior was amazing, new leather on front seats. I came home with a car for way less than it is worth.

I have put over 400 miles on it.  The car as well sorted out out and Has no issues of significance. Everything works. It’s incredible to drive a Porsche with the low-end torque of a V-8. On the highway it rides like my wife’s Lexus.  Yes, it's Guards Red and I hate red - but somethings can be overlooked when everything else is right.  Good friend of mine, retired radiologist, races his black 928.  He told me that red was THE COLOR for a 928.  'Nuf said.  I know the spoiler is not original, and from a later 928.  I love it and it will stay.

I’ll be splitting my days driving my 944 S, my sweet 928, my Cayman S - and soon my 914 once it is repainted to its original Malaga Red.  If I own a Porsche, it is to drive it. Not to brag about it or show it off.....cept for Cars & Coffee.......

Knowing the complexity of this amazing car, I know I'll be needed a lot of help from all of you here in the days ahead.  Glad you all are here.

Gatornapper
(name given by large US newspaper in 1965 in mid-west state - but that's another long story.....)

Rich -

Anywhere I can see some pics of your incredible 928 collection?

I guess my dream might be to someday find an S or GTS

GN