The Porsche 924

by LhYnxz Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:03 pm

The 924 represented a new beginning
for Porsche. It started a Porsche trend which did not end until the last
1995 968 was built. All of these autos would have the front engine/rear
transmission layout. The 924 came out in 1976, as a replacement for the
defunct 914. It carried a small inline 4, another first for Porsche.
And, amazingly, it was WATER COOLED! It had a smoothly contoured
body, with a large rear window posing as a hatchback. Missing were spoilers,
fender flares, wide tires, and things like that. The 924 was a plain, un-gimmicked,
2+2 touring car that was cheap, sporty, and fun to drive.

Specifications

924 S

Engine:

8 valve SOHC in-line 4, aluminum block
and heads

Bore and Stroke: 3.94 x 3.11 in (100.0
x 78.9 mm)

Displacement:151 cu.in. or 2479cc

Horsepower: 158 @ 5,900 rpm

Torque: 155 @ 4,500 rpm

Power to weight ratio: 21.0 lbs per
horsepower

Compression ratio: 10.2:1

Fuel system: Bosch LE Jetronic

Drivetrain:

5 speed manual transmission, 3 speed
automatic

Suspension:

Front: MacPherson struts with lower
A-arms, coil springs, tube shocks, anti-roll bar

Rear: Semi-trailing arms, torsion
bars, tube shocks, anti-roll bar

Dimensions:

Curb weight: 2,734 lbs

Wheelbase: 94.5"

Length: 168.9"

Width: 68.3"

Height: 50.2"

Track front/rear: 58.2"/57.1"

Ground clearance: 4.92"

Brakes and Wheels:

Vacuum assisted, fixed caliper, internally
vented discs

15x6.0" front, 15x6.0" rear cast aluminum
wheels

Fuel Economy:

20 mpg (city) 28 mpg (hwy)

Performance:

0-60mph: 7.5 seconds

0-1/4 mile: 15.8s

Top Speed: 138mph (at redline)

It instantly became famous as the public
quickly bought up the allocated models. The 924 came into a market occupied
by the Datsun Z cars, rotary Mazdas, and Triumph TRs. The near neutral
handling of the car was welcomed by those who always wanted a Porsche,
but didn't know how to drive a 911! It wasn't all that fast, but
it's sportiness covered up for that. You could easily run up and down the
gears, pitching the nimble 924 into corners and through S-curves. It was
simply a fun car to drive. By announcing this car, Porsche allowed the
average person to safely own their marque, without selling their house.

The 924 S

The 924 Returns! The 924 was sold through
1988 in Europe, but left the USA in 1983 when the 944 replaced it.
However, by 1987 Porsche felt the need for another model to fill yet another
price gap. The 944 Turbo was simply too powerful and had too much performance,
and on the other end was the regular 944. The 944's performance was good,
but its price was getting on up there. Porsche decided to bring back the
924, after a 5 year absence. It returned as the 924 S.
This car had the unflared body and
distinguishing round marker lights, but sported the 944's alloy wheels.
It had the 944's 2.5 liter engine, and, due to the sleeker body, was faster
than the 944. Of course, the 944 still had the looks. In 1988 Porsche
offered the largest number of product offerings with the 924S at the bottom
of the price range.