931 Project: 1980 Porsche 924 Turbo – SOLD!

October 28, 2021 Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

As many of us already know, the standard Porsche 924 coupe was a humble little thing. They’re pretty much throwaway cars in project-grade condition, largely due to the close ties to Volkswagen never being buried all that far below the surface. The turbocharged model changed all that, turning the entry-level Porsche into a legitimate performance car. This 1980 Porsche 924 Turbo was originally listed in October 2021 in Lakewood, Ohio with the desirable “Pascha” interior and in non-running condition for $5,200.  Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has decided to price his long-stored 924 just above the “Fair” market value of $4,900.

The 924 was attempting to address a few different needs for Porsche at the time. For one thing, like all manufacturers, Porsche needed an economical model to ensure customers felt there was a responsible choice in the lineup in an era where fuel efficiency was suddenly a top-five concern. In addition, Porsche has always struggled to offer a compelling entry-level model that would provide an affordable introduction to the brand and hopefully turn that 924 shopper into a 911 buyer within a few years. The turbocharged model was offered in response to the fact that even with the 924 meeting the basic requirements of the platform, the overwhelming sentiment was that it was too tepid, fuel efficiency be damned.

Noted Porsche enthusiast Magnus Walker takes you through his personal 1980 Porsche 924 Turbo on this Petrolicious YouTube Channel offering:

The 924 Turbo seen here is a non-runner, which is not exactly uncommon among any turbocharged car from the 1980s. Obviously, turbocharging technology was still evolving at the time the 931 came out, and combined with customers’ inability to let a turbocharged car warm-up or cool down correctly, there were many reports of catastrophic failures among the boosted four-cylinders fan base. This car is worthy of rejuvenation, however, as the turbocharged 924 is a limited edition model we don’t see much of today. This one also has the desirable “Pascha” interior that is more commonly associated with the 928. Regardless, this car looks like it was at least properly stored as a non-runner and it appears to be rust-free, too, making it a wholly worthwhile project to save. Good luck with the restoration!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“I have had this limited edition Turbo Porsche with 57,900 miles in storage for the last 17 years. It has an immaculate checkerboard interior with black leather seats, two-tone paint, a California light kit, and special edition wheels. It is ready for a new owner. It’s currently not running and will need someone to bring it back to the road. Its value once running is between $9000 and $11,000. Serious inquiries only please.“

Do you have a Porsche 924 Turbo story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!