Porsches You Don’t Know About: The 928 and Other Overlooked Models

Explore the untold history of Porsche’s lesser-known models, including the ambitious 928, 924, 944, and experimental concepts. Discover their impact and why they still matter today.

When talking about Porsche, most people immediately think of the iconic 911, the best-selling Cayenne, or the luxurious Panamera. However, the brand's history is full of ambitious experiments, underrated models, and daring attempts to redefine its identity. One of the most fascinating cases is the Porsche 928—a front-engine V8 grand tourer that was meant to replace the 911 but ended up as an intriguing anomaly. And it’s far from the only one.

Porsche 928: The Grand Tourer That Could Have Replaced the 911

In the 1970s, Porsche executives feared that the rear-engine layout of the 911 would become obsolete. Their solution? A front-engine, water-cooled V8 grand tourer with a refined design and a more luxurious interior. Enter the Porsche 928, launched in 1977.

The 928 was a radical departure from the brand’s DNA. It featured aluminum body panels to reduce weight and had a futuristic look with its distinctive pop-up headlights. It even won the European Car of the Year award in 1978—something no other Porsche had achieved. Yet, despite its technical brilliance, the 928 never replaced the 911. Porsche purists clung to the rear-engine tradition, and the 928’s high price limited its appeal.

Still, the model remained in production until 1995, evolving through versions like the S4, GT, and GTS, with power increasing from 240 hp to 350 hp. Today, the 928 is a collector's favorite, and its influence is seen in later Porsche designs, including the Panamera.

Other Underrated Porsches: 924, 944, 968, and 914

The 928 wasn’t the only Porsche that tried to challenge expectations. The Porsche 924, introduced in 1976, was an affordable entry-level model developed with Volkswagen. While criticized for its lackluster performance, it paved the way for the more successful 944 and 968.

The Porsche 944 (1982) refined the 924’s design and offered significantly better performance. The 944 Turbo was among the fastest cars of its era, making the model one of Porsche’s best-sellers. In 1992, the Porsche 968 followed, blending the best of its predecessors, but it lasted only four years before being replaced by the Boxster.

Meanwhile, the Porsche 914 (1969) was a bold attempt at a mid-engine, budget-friendly sports car. Though some dismissed it as "not a real Porsche" due to its Volkswagen connection, today it enjoys cult status among collectors.

Experimental Models and Concepts

Porsche has always been a company unafraid of experimentation. The Porsche 942, built in 1984 as a stretched version of the 928 for Ferry Porsche’s 75th birthday, hinted at the Panamera decades before it arrived.

The Study H50 was another intriguing experiment—a four-door version of the 928, proving that Porsche had been considering a sports sedan long before the Panamera became a reality.

Then there was the Porsche 984, a lightweight roadster designed in the 1980s that never made it to production but inspired later models like the Boxster.

Porsche’s history is much more than just the 911. The 928, 924, 944, and other models helped shape the brand’s evolution, introducing new technologies and design ideas. Many of these underrated Porsches are now enjoying a resurgence in the collector car market, proving that sometimes, even the forgotten Porsches deserve their time in the spotlight. And who knows—maybe Porsche will once again draw inspiration from its boldest experiments for future models.