In the years leading up to Porsche’s unveiling of the 928 in prototype form at the 1977 Geneva International Motor Show, bosses at the German marque were considering their options as 911 sales began to slump. The company made plans for a luxurious grand tourer that offered refinement over long distances, and so the new car’s platform was designed around a front-mounted, water-cooled engine. This would make best use of space and maximise comfort—and come in stark contrast to the reputation Porsche had earned for building acclaimed air-cooled, rear-engine cars.

In the wake of the 1970s energy crisis that sent global petrol prices sky high, Porsche defied consumer appetite for improved fuel efficiency, and instead opted for a V-8 engine at the heart of the 928. The larger displacement powertrain bolstered the standing of the 928 as a lavish grand tourer, and the earliest iterations of the model were propelled by a 4.5-litre engine rated at 237 horsepower for European-delivery examples. Like many of the other front-engine models made by Porsche, engineers in Stuttgart designed the 928 with a transaxle set-up for a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. This made for 50-50 weight distribution between the front and rear of the car, resulting in contemporary road test reports of excellent handling.

Wearing the amazing colour combination of metallic Lindgrün over a Dunkelgrün interior complete with chequerboard Pasha door and seat fabric, the example offered for sale here typifies sumptuous 1970s car design. Built for delivery in the Swiss market, the 928 was despatched for delivery on 1 November 1977, as is documented by the Porsche Classic Technische Zertifikat on file, issued in December 2021 by Porsche Zentrum Berlin-Potsdam. The certificate verifies that the serial numbers stamped on the engine and gearbox match factory records, while the car was ordered new with heated door mirrors, tinted windows and air conditioning. Notes from the owner attest that the speedometer has been changed over time, so the current odometer reading may not reflect the actual distance the car has travelled. The consigning owner estimates that the true distance may be closer to 138,000 km.

With its raw V-8 power and timeless Porsche coupé styling, the 928 is a desirable classic car that can offer the practicality of a more modern offering. The chance to acquire an example in such unique configuration is rarely as enticing as this.