Porsche 924, 944, and 968 Pictures and Specifications

The Porsche 924 was the first front-engine Porsche, and left a checkered legacy.

The Porsche 924, Porsche 944, and Porsche 968 were a family of front-engine Porsches that gave the German company a needed financial boost, but was nonetheless the subject of much controversy among Porsche traditionalists.

The 924 was Porsche's first front-engine production car when it was introduced in Europe in 1976 and in the U.S. in 1977. Porsche purists didn't like the fact it used an Audi engine, a criticism Porsche address for 1982 with the 944. The 924 and 944 were both stylish 2+2 hatchbacks, with the 944 distinguished visually by blistered-fender bodysides. Both the 924 and the 944 spawned turbocharged models. The 968 bowed in 1991 as the final evolution of the original 924 design, and like its predecessors, had a four-cylinder engine, but was itself derided for its unusual front-end styling.

The pages of pictures and specifications that follow outline the evolution of the Porsche 924 and its descendants from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s.

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

1977-1982 Porsche 924 Pictures and Specifications

The Porsche 924 was the first water-cooled front-engine production Porsche. This relatively low-cost coupe was a startling departure from the expensive, air-cooled, rear-engine Porsche 911, and its Audi engine caused fans of the marque to question its Porsche credentials.

The Porsche 924 shown here as it looked upon its original 1976 European debut.

This 1979 Sebring special edition Porsche 924 featured a tilt/takeout sunroof.

1977-1982 Porsche 924 Specifications

Prices New:

• $9,395 for 1977 model
• $16,770 for 1982 model
  

Engines:

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

1980-1982 Porsche 924 Turbo Pictures and Specifications

The Porsche 924 became a more interesting performer with the release of a Turbo model for the 1980 model year. It bowed with 143 horsepower, and quelled some of the criticism that hounded the non-turbo model. The Porsche 924 Turbo was sold through the 1982 model year.

The Porsche 924 Turbo was identified by functional hood and nose scoops.

All Porsche 924 Turbos got a rear spoiler. These flat-faced wheels were optional.

Prices New:

• $20,800 for 1980 model
• $21,500 for 1982 model
  

Engines:

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

1987-1988 Porsche 924S Pictures and Specifications

The Porsche 924S hit showrooms in 1987 as a canny combination of 924 body and 944 engine. This cost-effective blend of good performance and good pricing was sold during 1987 and 1988.

The Porsche 924S wore "telephone-dial" wheels similar to the Porsche 928's.

The Porsche 924S was affordable, priced at just under $20,000 for 1987.

With its genuine Porsche engine, the 924S wore its Porsche emblem proudly.

1987-1988 Porsche 924 S Specifications

Prices New:

• $19,900 for 1987 model
• $26,560 for 1988 model
  

Engines:

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

1983-1991 Porsche 944 and 944 S Pictures and Specifications

The Porsche 944 bowed in 1982, answering criticisms that the Audi-built 924 wasn't a "real Porsche." The 944 was available in several different models, including the 944 S, 944 S2, and 944 S2 Cabriolet. The Porsche 944 enjoyed a nine-year run that ended in 1991.

The Porsche 944 improved on the 924 with more power and bolder styling.

The Porsche 944 debuted for 1983 as a 2+2 coupe; a convertible bowed for 1989.

1983-1991 Porsche 944 and 944 S Specifications

Prices New:

• $18,450 for 1983 944
• $21,440 for 1984 944
• $25,550 for 1987 944
• $30,850 for 1986 944 S
• $30,995 for 1988 944
• $47,600 for 1989 944 S2
• $50,350 for 1991 944 S2 Cabriolet
  

Engines:

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

1986-1989 Porsche 944 Turbo Pictures and Specifications

Porsche upped the performance ante of its entry-level line in a big way by adding a 944 Turbo in 1986. Like that year's regular 944s, it arrived with a more coherent and attractive dashboard, but stood apart with unique nose styling and wider tires on 928-style "telephone dial" alloy wheels. The 944 Turbo was sold from 1986 to 1989.

The Porsche 944 Turbo did 0-60 mph in 6 seconds, had a top speed of 153 mph.

The updated dashboard of the Porsche 944 Turbo was sporty and driver-friendly.

A single turbocharger boosted the Porsche 944 Turbo's engine to 217 horsepower.

The Porsche 944 Turbo gained 30 horsepower for 1988, for a healthy 247.

1986-1989 Porsche 944 Turbo Specifications

Prices New:

• $29,500 for 1986 944 Turbo
• $39,765 for 1988 944 Turbo
• $47,432 for 1988 944 Turbo S
  

Engines:

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

1992-1995 Porsche 968 Pictures and Specifications

The Porsche 968 was the final model in the evolution of the 924 line. It included updated styling, distinctive lay-back headlights, plus a twincam inline-four enlarged to 3.0 liters, the largest naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine in regular series production. The Porsche 968 was sold from 1992 to 1995.

The Porsche 968 came in open Cabriolet and closed coupe versions.

The Porsche 968 was a balanced car with a surprisingly potent four-cylinder mill.

The Porsche 968 Cabrio stickered for an eye-popping $51,000 in 1992.

The 968 Cabrio was effectively a two-seater -- the "back seat" was a parcel shelf.

1992-1995 Porsche 968 Specifications

Prices New:

• $39,850 for 1992 968 coupe
• $51,000 for 1992 968 Cabriolet
  

Engines:

For more information on Porsche and other exciting cars, see:

• Consumer Guide Porsche new car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide Porsche used car prices and reviews
• Consumer Guide premium performance cars prices and reviews
• Ferrari: Learn about hundreds of road and racing Ferraris.
• Muscle Cars: Check out 1960s and '70s American muscle cars.

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