Fifty shades of brown
Introducing our 1980 924 Turbo restoration project
)
Introduced in 1979, the Porsche 924 Turbo is a short-lived and rarely-seen variant of the company’s transaxle-based four-cylinder lineage. While later 944 and 968 models had widened fenders to project an aggressive image, the turbocharged 924 retained the standard model’s slim body; only vertical air slots in the front apron, four openings between the headlight, a NACA duct on the hood, and a black rear spoiler hinted at the extra performance on offer.
Powering the 924 Turbo was a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 170 horsepower. In its time, the forced-induction engine bridged the performance gap between the standard 924 and the six-cylinder, rear-engine 911 SC. Racing versions of the 924 Turbo racked up successes in rallying as well as endurance racing, proving the versatility and strength of the new front-engine, rear-wheel drive platform.
This particular 924 Turbo comes to us by way of a longtime customer of Porsche Centre Vaughan, and a well-known Porsche collector. An enthusiast of the company’s transaxle cars, a 924 Turbo was the second Porsche he purchased after immigrating to Canada – a vehicle he purchased from Hans J. Pfaff, who founded our dealership. That car led to a life-long obsession with the model, and indeed, he currently has four 924 Turbo models in his collection.
The vehicle was purchased over 10 years ago as part of a plan to amalgamate a number of parts cars into one perfect vehicle. However, time got away from the owner, and it sat in a barn for an extended period of time, and was last driven over five years ago. While its exterior cosmetics require attention, with faded and mismatched paint, the body is straight and accident-free, and the vehicle is in driveable condition.
Over the next several weeks and months, the body will be refinished to like-new condition by a Porsche Certified Collision Centre, and a sympathetic mechanical restoration will be completed, using as many of the original parts as possible, while upgrading and replacing items such as suspension pieces that have worn out. The interior, which has a cracked dashboard, aftermarket electronics, and moldy carpets, will receive an extensive makeover. The seats and door panels will be re-upholstered, the dashboard will be replaced, and new carpets will be installed.
We are excited to get this project underway and bring new life to this unique 924 Turbo. You can follow the project on this page and on our social media channels here.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)