When somebody mentions the word “Porsche,” many people instantly think of the iconic 911, a rear-engined vehicle offering impressive performance and the uncanny knack of launching its occupants backward into the scenery if they happen to confuse their ambitions with their abilities. However, there was a period during the late 1970s and early 1980s when the company’s volume-selling model was a more conventional front-engine sports car. The model in question is the 924, and our feature classic is a 1988 924S survivor in need of a new home. It presents well for its age, and after decades in storage, the seller has returned it to a roadworthy state to provide the next owner with immediate enjoyment. Located in Valrico, Florida, you will find the Porsche listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has hit $4,100, although this remains short of the reserve.

When the seller located this Porsche around a year ago, it had been sitting in storage for more than twenty years. They determined that a previous owner had treated it to a repaint in its original shade of Guards Red but that its overall condition was pretty acceptable. After treating it to some essential TLC, the car presents pretty well. The paint holds an impressive depth of shine, and while there are a few marks and chips present, nothing requires immediate attention. If potential buyers consider this 924S as a driver-grade classic, they could leave the interior untouched for years to come. The panels are straight, with gaps as tight and consistent as we might expect from any Porsche. The car features a removable power top that is in good condition and functions as it should. The storage pouch for the top is intact and also appears excellent. The glass looks flawless, and there’s no evidence of staining or physical damage on the original alloy wheels.

The Porsche’s interior makes a positive impression, and you have to look hard to locate any genuine flaws or faults. The heavily-contoured bucket seats are prone to wear, and the driver’s seat in this car shows evidence of this. The issue is confined to the outer edge of the backrest, and it would be worth consulting a professional to determine whether a repair is a viable option. The rest of the upholstered surfaces present well, while the carpet and plastic have avoided significant deterioration. There are no aftermarket additions, and, surprisingly, the factory AM/FM radio and cassette player remain intact. Many owners swap in a more modern alternative, so this makes a refreshing change. There are a few faults for the buyer to consider. This 924S features air conditioning, although it doesn’t operate correctly. The seller is unsure whether the culprit is the fan or a relay, so the buyer will need to investigate further. The tachometer and fuel gauge are inoperative, meaning a trip to an auto electrician may be in this classic’s near future. Otherwise, features like the power windows operate as they should.

When Porsche introduced the 924, it derived its power from an engine that saw service in the Audi 100. When production of that engine ended in 1984, the 924S received a detuned version of the 2,479cc four-cylinder engine used in its 944 model. However, running changes meant that by 1988, the engines in the 924S and 944 produced similar power figures, although the lighter “S” proved faster than its more expensive sibling. The 924S gave its driver 158hp under their right foot, which finds its way to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. Considering the relatively modest power output, the car’s ¼-mile ET of 15.8 seconds looks pretty respectable. After more than two decades of inactivity, the seller went through a meticulous process to revive this Porsche and return it to a roadworthy state. It received a new fuel pump, new fuel injectors, a new clutch slave cylinder, a new master cylinder, the brake calipers were rebuilt, and they performed other more minor tasks. The 924S runs and drives perfectly and is ready to be enjoyed by a lucky new owner.

When Porsche released its front-engined models like the 924, its long-term plan was for them to replace the iconic 911 range. They felt that the 911 had served its intended role admirably, but modernizing the design to improve safety was going to prove an expensive exercise. However, while the general buying public was happy to slip behind the wheel of the 924, 944, or 928, there remained a die-hard band of potential owners who felt that a genuine Porsche should remain rear-engined. That didn’t make these front-engined models bad because they offer their drivers a rewarding motoring experience. Models like the 924S served an essential role because the high sales volumes generated gave Porsche the funding to drag the aging 911 model into the 21st Century. Our feature car looks like a beauty, and the thirty-six bids already submitted suggest that people like what they see. I would expect that the bidding will need to nudge towards $10,000 before it passes the reserve, but the action so far makes that seem possible. If any of our readers have an affordable Porsche on their shopping list, watching this auction could be worth the effort.