Lot 033: 1994 Porsche 928 GTS

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. Finished in black with black leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "excellent overall" condition. Said to have had only three owners from new (the last of who kept it for eight and a half years), 'L452 EPH' has just emerged from a cosmetic restoration that cost over �8,800. As well as refurbished 17-inch alloys shod with new Dunlop SP9000 tyres, the work included a respray in its original factory colour and engine bay detailing. Generously equipped, the Porsche boasts automatic transmission, air-conditioning, electric sunroof / windows / mirrors and its original Blue Spot radio / cassette player. A stunning car, it is offered for sale with "substantial history file (AFN Porsche Guildford, Autostrasse marque specialist etc)" and MOT certificate valid until September 2008.