Description
Brooklands Gold Portfolio, Compilation by R.M.Clarke, Softbound, 180 Pages
ISBN: 9781870642804
Track and Road Tests - New Model Intro's - Long Term Reports - Buying Secondhand - Carrera GT - Le Mans - Lux - 5 Speed - S 924 - Supercharged - Automatic - Turbo
I have just re-read the introduction to our first book on the 924 — Porsche 924 1975-1981 — which was published over seven years ago. It seems that what was written then is just as applicable today so without shame reprint it here.
For almost thirty years Porsche had rigidly stuck to rear-engined cars with aircooled horizontally-opposed power units. It was therefore quite a surprise late in 1975 when the 924 was announced to find that they had completed a U-turn, not only had they gone over to a water-cooled in-line engine, but they had also repositioned it forward and had it driving the rear wheels.
There has always been a close relationship between Volkswagen and Porsche, the late Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was of course responsible for the design of the 'peoples car' in the thirties and when he formed his own company in the late forties his first production model, the 356 closely followed the VW layout and utilised many stock parts from the early Beetle.
Co-operation between the two companies continued with the 914, which was regarded in Europe as an up-market Volkswagen and in North America as an affordable Porsche.
It was therefore quite natural that when a replacement for the 914 was needed that liaison should carry on. The 924 was in fact a VW-Audi project and each company contributed something to the whole. The suspenion system owed a lot to Beetle and Rabbit/Golf design, the engine was the Audi 2 litre unit and brakes were derived from the VW K70.
An entirely new aerodynamic body was designed by Porsche engineers and this clothed the car in a sporty 2+2 outfit which would remain in style for many years to come.
Porsche have an enviable reputation for continuously developing their models, the 356 progressed from a Beetle-like vehicle to the Carrera 2 which delivered 130 bhp at 6200 rpm.
The 911 family is a legend in its own time and today some seventeen years after its introduction it is the yardstick for this class of vehicle.
If you choose to read this book in chronological order you will notice that history is repeating itself. The 924 is being skilfully developed and refined and the more recent turbo version has won the highest praise from the world's most respected motoring journalists.
Since the above was penned the 924 has had its ups and downs, and at one stage was even withdrawn from the US market. One thing is sure however and that is that it has a great future as a 'collectible classic'. All of Porsches less expensive models such as the 356, 912 and the 914s have become much sought after by enthusiasts and restored examples can be seen daily. There is no doubt that the 924 will follow in the footsteps of its predecessors.
The main objective of Brooklands Books is to make available to todays owners of interesting cars the press reports that were written about their vehicles when they were new. Our books are printed in small numbers and now with over 300 titles are one of the main reference works for those that indulge in the hobby of automobile restoration.
We exist primarily because enthusiasts have a need for this information and secondly because the publishers of the leading motoring journals generously support us by allowing us to include their copyright articles. We are indebted in this instance to the management of
Autocar, Autosport, Car, Car and Driver, Classic and Sportscar, Modern Motor, Motor, Motor Sport, Motor Trend, Road & Track, Road Test, Sports Car Graphic, Sports Car World, Thoroughbred and Classic Cars, What Car and Wheels for their ongoing help.
R.M. Clarke
