It seems impossible to fathom now, but in the early 1970s Porsche was considering a possible replacement for the 911. After six years of development, the Porsche 928 debuted at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show. Significantly, it utilized a layout Porsche had never tried before: front-engine and rear-wheel-drive with V-8 power. The 928 never would supplant the everlasting 911, but for almost two decades it did augment Porsche’s lineup as a luxurious “2+2” coupe with voluptuous styling, breathtaking acceleration, and supple, long-distance cruising abilities.

As the 1990s began, Porsche kept the 928 relevant with a final special model, the 928 GTS. It featured a larger, more powerful 5.4-liter V-8 providing 350 horsepower and paired with an upgraded manual transmission to handle the additional output. An automatic transmission remained available. Uprated front brakes more effectively brought the big coupe to a halt and were cooled via additional ducts in a new apron under the front bumper. Exterior styling changes were subtle: a larger, body-colored spoiler, new Cup-style side mirrors, wider rear fenders to accommodate 17-inch Cup alloy wheels, a red light panel between the brake lights, and twin tailpipes. Just over 2,900 were built between 1992 and 1995. Pristine examples of this supremely balanced, low-production final iteration are increasingly sought-after.

This low-mileage, well-documented, and highly specified 928 GTS is one of just 26 US-market examples equipped with a five-speed manual transmission for the 1995 model year, making it the quintessential rendition of Porsche’s front-engine experiment. It completed production in early December 1994 and was delivered new to a Porsche dealer in Pennsylvania. Finished in stealthy Black over Black leather, this 928 came well equipped from the factory with various optional features, including an electric sliding roof, improved air conditioning, lumbar support on the left seat, AM/FM stereo with cassette player, and a six-disc CD changer.

At the time of cataloging, fewer than 14,300 miles showed on the odometer, making this final model-year 928 GTS even more desirable. Among the host of accompanying documents are a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and service invoices dating back to 1996, indicating that the car has been professionally maintained its entire life. The most recent work order, dated September 2017, details the crucial replacement of the timing belt, tension rollers, cam tensioner gasket, and a rebuilding of the water pump.

As one of the 26 US-market cars produced in 1995 with a five-speed manual transmission, this well-outfitted, low-mileage 928 GTS stands as the ultimate development of Porsche’s first V-8-powered road car and will surely be coveted by enthusiasts for decades to come.