Equipped with a rare 5-speed manual transaxle connected to its V8 engine, this 1979 Porsche 928 comes finished in Mocha Brown over a matching brown leather interior. The car is said to have spent most of its time in Arizona and was acquired by the seller from its long-term second owner earlier in 2022. Benefitting from a major service carried out in 2021 including a new timing belt and water pump, this 928 is now being offered for auction out of Arizona showing approximately 44k miles on the odometer.
This 928 sports an uncommon Mocha Brown finish and rides on a set of chromed 15” factory Phone Dial alloy wheels. New tires have been mounted since the time of photographing and the seller reports most of the car’s original paintwork to be preserved. Additional images are provided in the gallery.
Inside, this 928 features a brown leather interior with reupholstered front seats and matching carpeting. Equipment includes climate control, a rear window wiper, electric windows and mirrors, power-adjustable front seats, and an original Blaupunkt stereo. The seller notes the A/C system has been refurbished and blows cold.
This first-generation 928 is equipped with a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 engine rated at 230 HP and 253 lb.-ft of torque, driving the rear wheels by way of a desirable 5-speed manual transaxle. A major fuel system service was completed in February 2021 along with the replacement of the timing belt, water pump, and some trim pieces. A corresponding invoice is provided in the gallery. The seller notes that the vehicle is equipped with an aftermarket exhaust stsyem.
This sale will include a toolkit, original window sticker, original manual, and a collection of records.
Comments (71)
@928GTS Opinion not shared by this group of prospective buyers.
@Outlaw911 30's to 40's.
Thanks to all who bid and participated. The car is still for sale!!
This low mile 928 5-speed should be high 20’s or low 30’s.
Bid in the amount of $20,500
Bid in the amount of $20,250
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Bid in the amount of $19,500
Bid in the amount of $19,000
Bid in the amount of $18,000
reminder don't wait till the last second to bid, the clock resets to two minutes with each new bid... no way to "snipe" on Pcarmarket.
Bid in the amount of $17,000
Bid in the amount of $16,250
Bid in the amount of $16,000
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Bid in the amount of $15,000
This car checks all the boxes.
1. Unadorned early model, unencumbered by spoilers, as close to what the concept design intended in a production model.
2. Torquey V8 backed by three pedals delivers the sporty engagement sorely lacking in a slushbox automatic equipped version.
3. Iconic mid century color combination that is far more elegant and interesting than red, black or silver.
4. Well kept low miler, in exceptional driver condition; fresh timing belt, cold AC, new tires.
This Porsche 928 is good to go.
Bid in the amount of $13,750
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Bid in the amount of $13,500
Bid in the amount of $13,000
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@Dbeste yep, the Feds took a bite out of the euro spec versions (which weren't 230hp but 240hp).
These early US spec 928’s are 219hp not 230 just fyi. These lighter manual cars are the most fun 928’s to drive imo. Someone should grab this today.
Great. Thanks for the follow up.
@1madison4045 what you are seeing on pic #40 is part of the reflection of the Arizona sun, which can be difficult to photograph in. There is no scratch. As for the collection of records all that the previous long term owner was able to provide was the most recent service which including the timing belt and water pump. You will also see that work order that the fuel system needed attention, because the car had been sitting in his building for many years. He essentially, recommissioned it for the sale. Since then we have restored the front seats using the best available materials, rehabbed the AC system, replaced a coolant reservoir and put new tires on it. The mechanic who worked on the car and inspected it from below commented that a lot of the original cosmoline is still present and that other than the timing belt/water pump covers there was no sign of overhaul indicating to him that it is not a high mileage car.
@seller- no worries. What about my questions?
@nobrakes sorry, the previous post was intended response to @calebjens
@1madison4045 That is what I assumed but you know how that can work… I too am a big fan of first iteration models, especially on the 928 range. The final edition cars are beastly performers, but the spoiler and ground effects look like an afterthought. The blunting of the lower front valance distanced it from the early look that earned the 928 its nickname, Shark! The squaring of the rear bumper cover was another questionable styling departure from the original. Porsche 928’s like this ’79 is the purest form of 928, with their body lines uninterrupted by bolt on spoilers.
@seller- In photo 40 is that a reflection or a scratch and could you expand on "collection of records?" That may dispute some of the mileage questions. Thank you..
@nobrakes Original body / old body. First 928 silhouette…it’s gorgeous. Good luck!
Bid in the amount of $12,250
@GuyS I have to ask, what does OB refer to?
Coming down to the final six hours. We will be monitoring the auction closely to answer questions, either through the public forum, or if preferred reach out through the contact seller button at the top of the listing. Let's sell this car!!
Wow. What a nice OB! Well presented and the new seats are a real bonus. These are not cheap seats to have done properly! This is a third of the money currently.
Bid in the amount of $12,000
@nobrakes Well, I learned something new today - about the Carfax.
Once we get our stuff moved from Florida to Missouri in a couple weeks, I am bringing my 85 to an upholstery shop to redo the interior. I also have a carpet kit for them to install.
The exterior needs a buff but my hope is that it makes a decent driver once those are done.
My son's is red over tan/brown and mine is red over black. My seats, headliner and door panels are decent so my hope is that the leather work is reasonable. Of course, that is assuming they can match it. Black is easy but I don't know about the grain.
Good luck on the sale. Looks like a good driver and it is a 1979 manual. That makes a world of difference for some buyers.
@NoMoNaples Carfax's are only available on 17 digit VINs.
@NoMoNaples The title is an Arizona actual mileage title.
I too have had multiple 928's. In addition to this one a'78 auto, '80 5-speed, '86-auto and an '88 5-speed. This is by far the best interior of all of them, including the 26k mile '86. Whether one elects to repair or replace the dashboard, that are challenging and expensive endeavors, and when they have advanced into the deterioration phase they can be unsightly.
As for your assumption of an oil leak, this car may have a weep, but it does not have a drip.
As to the undercarriage we could have easily powerwashed the bottom of this car but prefer to present the car honestly. I will admit its dirty, but it hardly appears "rode hard". In my experience 928 undercarriages rarely present well.
This car has been well maintained; if it needed service it got it.
At the end of the day this is a 40 something year old car, that will always benefit from "something". The best thing anyone can do to preserve these or any classic car is to DRIVE it regularly.
I have a 1984 and a 1985, both in red. Well actually, my son talked me into giving him the 1984 when he was 16 four years ago, which is why I got the 1985 for myself.
My buddy and I did the timing belt and water pump swap ourselves on the 1985. Quite a project! Once we were under there, we realized there was a lot of oil leakage from the main seal. It looks like this one has the same problem. A lot of oil on the bottom and it probably came from the main seal. That would have been something to fix when you were getting the water pump replaced.
Brown isn't really my color but the exterior looks about as good as the interior and it's a miracle your dash and dash pod look so good. They are cracked on both of mine.
I was going to say this should sell for at least $12k (probably closer to $15k) considering it's an early model but the undercarriage scares me away. It doesn't look like the suspension bits have been touched since new and the oil mess needs to be addressed.
I notice there is no Carfax. That's not a 44k car. The odometer rolled over (or broke). They are NOTORIOUS on the 928s - but easy to fix. Does the title show that odometer reading or is it TMU (true mileage unknown)?
GLWTA
One day to go! Who will take the cherry off the top of this hot mocha Porsche 928? This is a no disappointments example that is good to go. Fly in and drive it home or feel free to click the "contact seller" button above and include your zipcode and we can give you a price for shipping door to door.
Speaking of color, haven't you heard? Brown is the new black.
This car is a bit of a chameleon. In bright sun it looks close to Bitter Chocolate but in less direct light it earns its Mocha name, approaching black. Its one of three brown family colors offered on the early 928 and according to Rennbow was only offered across the entire model range from '78-'82.
https://www.rennbow.org/porsche-colors/MochaBlack
@Potwell It's one thing to take a chance on black leather but when it comes to factory match on colored leather, don't step over dollars to pick up dimes. The leather seat covers on this car were sourced from Gahh Automotive, they match perfectly in color and texture, they better for what they cost... installed locally.
www.gahh.com
Does the color of the new front seat covers match the rest of the interior? Where were the seats covers sourced?
Bid in the amount of $8,450
@Appleseed Good eye! We overlooked the mention that the coolant reservoir has been replaced on this car.
Very cool to see the original window sticker - saving that as a reference!
Coolant warning light appears illuminated in the driving video?
Bid in the amount of $8,200
@SilverRose Happy New Year!! We have uploaded some close ups of the dash and instrument pod.
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Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Bid in the amount of $7,900
@nobrakes - any dash or pod cracks at all?
@1991928gt I am the other partner in this car and have it in my garage here in phoenix. Not a lot of hills here in the desert. I will do my best to get a video. I will tell you that there is unlikely this car is down on compression. It pulls strong throughout the rev range, as you would expect from a V8.
@SilverRose no worries for keeping her tucked away till auction week. Pick it up at the right time and there could be a an adult beverage to share with you. As for driving back to LA, I say no sweat.
@nobrakes - IF (big if) I win can you hold for Scottsdale auction week? Have the space? And 2) think it would make a drive to LA? Selling a much higher mile 5 speed 79 there and this would be a great use of proceeds :)
@1991928gt thanks for your interest. We have not performed nor do we have a record of leak down or compression test, recent or otherwise. That said this car, based on seat of the pants experience and plenty of time around 5 of these cars we have no concerns over the health of this car’s power plant. Starts easy, no smoke, idles smoothly, no hesitation or weird sounds and it pulls strong right up to red line.
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@SilverRose @outlaw911 you are both right, the listing says 15" (sorry I missed that) the wheels on the car are 16" clad with 225/50-16.
@nobrakes Ok. so i guess no video of RPMs with the car going up hill thru the gears. Has the car every had a compression or leak down test? can you post the results?
Bid in the amount of $5,500
@Outlaw911 - listing says 15”. See above.
@silverrose You are correct on the wheel differences between the auto and the 5 speed. This car has the correct 16” wheels.
5 speeds were factory equipped w/ 16" phone dials not 15" I believe. Autos w/ 15".
Bid in the amount of $5,000
@1991928gt no guarantee for something so specific but time permitting...
What are your concerns?
Despite the narrator (my partner) of the video statement that this was the first 928 he has been around, it is not mine. I have been intimately involved with four others, two manuals and two automatics. Three including this one were early cars. I know all too well what are the tell tale signs of a tired gearbox, clicking in first gear being the one that is most specific to these, otherwise typical synchro issues. This car exhibits NO weird noises, no grinding, no slop or no stubbornness whatsoever.
Can you post a video of the car going thru the gears, up hill, while the camera is filming RPMs?
Greeting, and welcome to the auction!
The early, unadorned Porsche 928, represents the purest and easiest to live with of the fabulously complex supercar designed to retire the iconic 911. With its non interference 4.5 liter V8, what it gives up in horsepower to the later twin cam models it returns with a car that is easier to live with, one that when coupled to a 5-speed manual adds more engagement and sporting character to what is known more as a car for grand touring than canyon carving.
This '79 model is a well sorted, low miler that hails from a desert state. Benefiting from mechanical and cosmetic refreshing over the last few years it runs as good as it looks. Equipped with a smooth shifting dog leg 5-speed transaxle that affords its driver access to the torque the V8 surrenders to the automatic transmission that the majority of these cars sold in American dealerships were delivered with.
The 928 languished, unappreciated for decades, resulting in many deteriorating to the point of no return. But as time has marched on enthusiasts have come around to embrace its unique and timeless styling, accepting that it is NOT a replacement for the 911 but a precursor to the more "practical" Panamera. Thankfully, well preserved and maintained examples like this one survive to remind us that the glory of the Porsche marque can be shared with the irreplaceable 911.
Thanks for your interest, enjoy the auction and let's sell this car!!
@nobrakes
Bid in the amount of $2,500
Beautiful spec on this 928! I’m in the midst of putting a black on black 79 back together after much neglect. This one is lovely!
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