I was a rising senior in college when I received my July 1976 copy of Road & Track, featuring the cover article shootout between a Datsun 280Z, an Alfetta GT, and a new car - the Porsche 924. One look at the 924 and it was love at first sight. And like all great first loves, it still is today.
Upon graduation I went to work for a bank, where I had no money, but lots of credit. Naturally I bought a brand new silver/black 924. Owning the car took all of my earnings, but I didn’t care. I loved every minute together.
Two years later, my job required I relocate outside the country and I had to sell my beloved 924. Fast forward almost thirty years and I began to look for another 1977 silver/black 924. It was heart breaking. The 924 had become the cheap Porsche and was the “beater” driven by people who could not afford the upkeep. Finally I did find a pristine example, for which the sellers “were hoping to get $4,000”. At that price, there was no need to haggle. It cost me almost $2,000 just to ship it from California to Virginia!
The lines of the 924 are as beautiful today as they were 40 years ago. The cockpit is spacious and well designed, the glass hatchback holds plenty of cargo, and it is a joy to drive. It is not a racetrack car, but it is a Porsche that you can enjoy driving everyday.
The 924 is finally receiving the credit and attention it deserves. I agree with the writer - buy one quickly while you can. There are not many good examples out there.