For Sale at Auction: 1978 Porsche 924 in Newport, Rhode Island

Chassis No. 9248104964

The 924 was Porsche's first front-engine model, marking a clear separation from the traditional rear-engine recipe that had defined the marque and materialized in the second half of the 20th century. Despite this shift in layout, Porsche's ethos of "Racing improves the breed" remained true, and within months, the head of Porsche's Customer Sport Department, J�rgen Barth, was racing one in the Monte-Carlo and Safari Rallies. Endurance racing at Le Mans was soon to follow.

This 924 Rally Tribute pays homage to the iconic Rothmans-liveried Porsches from the 1980s. The factory's own 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4s (Type 953) that triumphed in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally first come to mind, and it's easy to see why given the car's purposeful stance and enhanced off-road capabilities. Likely an original French-market example, the car carries a plaque indicating it was sold through Sonauto, the first French importer of Porsches and organizer of the Paris-Dakar rally.

Restored in 2022, this 924 features hallmark elements of the golden age of rallying throughout. Exterior modifications include a roof-mounted spare wheel and traction boards, mud flaps, and Lucas rally lights, all lending it that unmistakable rally-ready stance, while white powder-coated 15-inch Turbo-style wheels are shod in "knobby" Toyo all-terrain tires, ready to tackle loose surfaces with confidence.

Inside, the cabin is equipped with Sabelt bucket seats, D1 Spec harnesses, a suede-wrapped OMP steering wheel, and footwell plates. Adding to the racing character, the car features a five-speed manual dogleg transmission, placing second and third and the fourth and fifth gates in line for faster shifting. It features VDO dials and a host of retrofitted toggle switches, each detail reinforcing the car's purposeful, rally-inspired character. Equally at home at the Copperstate Overland as it would be on the way to a Sunday car meet, for those in search of adventure, any loose surface becomes part of the fun.