Porsche’s 928 is present process a little bit of a renaissance proper now. Individuals are actually starting to understand the model’s solely V8-powered two-door coupe as one thing apart from a bizarre department off of the principle Porsche timestream, and that’s superior. Whereas the 928 being envisioned as a alternative for the 911 within the Nineteen Eighties is totally batshit (thanks, Peter Schutz, for serving to the world dodge that bullet), it was at all times a very neat engineering train and, frankly, a very nice automobile to drive.

A part of this new(ish) 928 craze has individuals going to nice lengths to trace down the uncommon five-speed guide variations and paying large premiums for them. I’ve pushed an computerized 928 (in so-so situation, admittedly) and preferred the expertise, however I by no means acquired the hype for a three-pedal model. Was I lacking one thing?

I acquired the chance to search out out not too long ago when Porsche North America invited me and a number of other different journalists to drive some vehicles from their museum assortment. Amongst them was a 1981 928 S 50 Jahre version, of which Porsche solely made 140.

These particular vehicles featured Ferry Porsche’s signature embroidered into the headrest and had been the one 928 you may get on the time with a partial fabric inside. This explicit instance additionally had the much-sought-after five-speed guide transmission, and I needed to know whether or not it was value all the additional value and trouble to search out one.

Entering into the 928 feels particular nonetheless. You open the oddly formed door and slide into the virtually over-stuffed-sofa-soft bucket seat. Adjusting the steering wheel additionally adjusts the gauge cluster (one among my favourite issues in regards to the automobile), and when you’re able to go, you set the important thing into the best aspect (aka fallacious aspect for a Porsche) of the column, twist and go. The 928 S’ 4.7-liter fuel-injected V8 — later fashions acquired a 5.0-liter with extra valves and extra energy — coughs into life and rapidly settles right into a quiet however nonetheless loping idle.

The inside of this automobile could be very extraordinarily burgundy. Like violently, painfully burgundy. It’s wonderful. That this automobile was a clean-sheet design exhibits, particularly after spending time with a G-body 911 earlier that morning. The controls on the 928 are all specified by a approach that’s each visually pleasing and largely ergonomically wise Particularly when in comparison with the 911, which feels just like the buttons had been laid out with Homer Simpson’s make-up shotgun.

Visibility out of the automobile is nice, due to a really open greenhouse, however the impossibly lengthy hood could make it really feel type of unusual to drive at first, particularly when you’ve been driving smaller vehicles all morning, which I had. Nonetheless, throwing it into first gear and letting out the not-overly-heavy clutch proved easy sufficient. How was it once I acquired onto extra open roads?

Properly, it’s very clear instantly that the 928 isn’t a sports activities automobile. It could by no means have been a viable alternative for the 911, and that’s as true with the dogleg five-speed as it’s with the automated. The gearbox is ok – bizarre, with not sufficient self-centering and longggggg gearing – however not wonderful, and utilizing it doesn’t actually add something considerable to the driving expertise right here. The perfect issues in regards to the 928 are its consolation, its long-leggedness and the sound that beautiful overhead cam V8 makes if you’ve acquired your proper foot buried. It’s a grand tourer, and grand touring is about effortlessly masking massive stretches of floor at excessive pace, not about wringing each final iota of pace round a curvy highway or race observe.

Talking of that V8 engine, this explicit model of it – 4.7 liters – produces round 296 horsepower, which, within the early 80s, was fairly damned spectacular, but it surely doesn’t really feel like a rocketship, even with a fairly gentle (by right now’s requirements) 3,100 lb curb weight. Low-down torque is ok, however the engine actually comes alive with revs and breathes fantastically on the prime finish.

The suspension is pure GT spec, which is, to say, delicate however not wallowy. Regardless of the badge on its nostril, it’s a automobile that does a wonderful job of specializing in consolation relatively than outright sportiness. The physique strikes round a bit, including to the feeling of pace, but it surely not often feels prefer it’s all over, which is nice. The 928’s steering is a low level for me. It’s a hydraulic energy setup, but it surely’s not overburdened with really feel, and with the entrance wheels seeming so far-off from you, the whole lot appears to occur a bit extra slowly than it does with the 911s of the interval, however that’s not totally a foul factor in a GT automobile.

Finally, the 928 is and at all times has been its personal factor. Spending time driving a very well-cared-for instance makes it clear why the individuals who love these vehicles actually love these vehicles. It additionally confirms my suspicions that the guide transmission is usually hype and isn’t tremendous additive to the expertise of driving the 928. Should you needed to go all out and make the 928 a sports activities automobile, then possibly it’d be a unique story, however when you had been going to do this, you may begin with a greater platform.

Will I ever discover myself searching for a 928 to place in my driveway? Nah, however when you’re searching for an excellent well-engineered German GT that provides sturdy Hasselhoff in a Trans-Am vitality, then possibly try to be – simply don’t sweat that third pedal.