Basic Porsche models have never had it easy. Today, the 912 is rarer than a hair on an egg, the 914 carries the often derogatory name of Volkswagen Porsche , and the Boxster is said to be only for poor people who don't have a 911 . And to top it all off, there's the Type 924 , with all the derision for the engine.
But does this model, introduced back in 1976, even deserve it? After all, it was the first Porsche with a water-cooled front-mounted engine ! Sure, the Type 928 was designed earlier, but it hit the market later. However, the iconic 911 had such a reputation at the time that they certainly expected some criticism in Germany . In the beginning, neither the high price tag in the USA nor the weak engine (the 16-cylinder had only 95 hp) didn't help the new base model much. A four-speed gearbox or rear drum brakes then made the car worse in the eyes of customers than its predecessor, the 914 .
However, the Type 924 excelled in its versatility and good handling. Specifically, the Excellence magazine even named the steering the best among all production Porsche cars. However, in order to moderate the passions of critics, the automaker soon began to install a five-speed gearbox and disc brakes on the rear axle. Power increased to 110 hp. From 1978, a turbocharged version of the 924 Turbo appeared. It was powered by a two-liter Audi with a KKK K-26 turbocharger, and the power of the entire unit rose to 170 horsepower. That was already within range of the 911 SC model, which had only 10 more horses. As if that wasn't enough for the base model, the 924 Carrera GT with 210 horsepower also appeared. And finally the 924 Carrera GTS with 245 horsepower. Both of these versions are highly prized collector's items. And we shouldn't forget the 924 S model with a four-cylinder 2.5 with an output of almost 160 hp.
Despite a number of rare versions, most people will still remember the 924 as the Porsche that ended up somewhere in the middle of the road. Especially when Stuttgart later introduced the 944 and 968 types, which were even more perfect. However, it is somewhat unfair to the car. It's still a Porsche , say what you will. It has its elegance and engineering sophistication. Heck, it has a transaxle , sophisticated dampers and an aerodynamic body. It was very safe for its time. In short, Porsche tried to break free from the shackles of tradition, unfortunately, retrograde customers resisted progress. But we are only talking about die-hard 911 fans, normally the 924 was a huge success with other customers. And the automaker pulled a thorn from its heel, similar to the powerful Cayenne a decade ago.
True enthusiasts of the brand appreciate the 924 type, especially the first models. In addition, this type is a great first step to owning a Porsche.
Photo: AutoWP
