Our Cars--1977 Porsche 924
Submitted by Brian Miller
When I acquired this Porsche 924, I was actually hunting for a Datsun 240Z--from which the Porsche takes some obvious styling cues. After having it towed home and fiddling with various melted wires, the 924 finally fired up with an ominous blue cloud billowing from the engine, which turned out to be a fixable oil leak. Not an auspicious beginning, but after three years, monumental effort, and an unspeakable outlay of cash for new, old, and “new old stock” parts, the little Porsche is a reliable fair-weather daily driver.
The 924 is truly unique--a sports car made from parts of non-sports cars; the first front-engine/rear-drive Porsche; and the first affordable Porsche. The first point is most stunning-–the engine block is the same one you’ll find in an AMC Gremlin or a Volkswagen LT truck, the suspension is VW Rabbit, and the transaxle is made by Audi. The seats are from a 911, and the body is galvanized steel.
So, put a Volkswagen engine in an Audi and call it a Porsche? Not quite. Porsche engineers were hard at work pumping up the VW engine with fuel injection, an overhead cam, and transistorized ignition. Not that any of this makes it fast. It’s definitely not going win any drags with even the homeliest of Ford Tauri.
However, the drivetrain and a very stiff and racy suspension turn the 924 into an absolute blast to drive aggressively. Hit any corner and downshift--slowing down is optional--and redline the engine, and you will feel upwards of 1.2 Gs of lateral acceleration. Clawing through twisty roads with the sunroof open and really pushing the limits of grip feels very dangerous and exhilarating, and the snappy four-banger eagerly belts out its 90 loud horses.
Otherwise, it’s kind of a turd. Parts are difficult to find and often cost too much. The electrical system is zany and over-engineered, hurting the reliability of an engine that is otherwise a mechanical winner. 
Aside from the seats, the interior is composed of left-over VW parts. The emissions control system is vintage ‘70s primitive design. Fuel injection is accomplished by a fascinating mechanical pressure balance, air vs. fuel, which is analogous to a carb as a clock is to a watch. This fuel injection system works great when the engine is hot, but the add-ons that help with cold-starting often fail.
The greatest weakness of the 924 is not its engine, though, but the brakes. The front-disc, rear-drum configuration is fine for a grocery-getting family sedan, but on a car that begs to be driven hard and then screams for more, it’s just not enough.
People who want to own a status symbol--as opposed to people who buy a car they actually enjoy driving--don't always recognize 924s as true 
Porsches. I don't blame them. Nothing destroys a good status symbol like affordability.
The car has the look and feel of a prototype that was manufactured on another planet and shipped to earth for the budding yuppie crowd in the late ‘70s. But it isn't a copy of anything and should enjoy an honorable place in automotive history. As a starter Porsche on which to learn how to quickly and easily repair a more expensive Porsche, it definitely has a niche. It is a true sports car.
This bottom picture features my wife; we took the 924 out on a picnic to pick blueberries.
More information about Porsche 924s in general can be found at 924Board.org, and you can read more about my particular 924 here.
--Brian Miller
Chris Hafner on March 24, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Brian, you're my hero. I love the idea of this clapped-out but completely lovable 924 racing around Alaskan back roads.
Brian's page is worth a visit. My favorite part:
"The problem was solved, as demonstrated in the video, by turning the block / head upside down and smashing the head with a hammer. Then it's simply a matter of rotating the head around the bolt to get the damn thing offa there."
Mochi Mochi on March 24, 2008 at 06:42 PM
When the 924 started showing up, I was a kid and was in absolute awe of its beauty. I think I still am (guilty on both counts). I actually think I heard angelic choirs sing when I first saw print ads for the car. I read the Road&Track review ten times. It was a such a groundbreaking design for the times - and for Porsche. When I looked inside the car I noticed a lot of parts that were very familiar from my 72 Squareback. So yes they did take a lot of VW interior parts. But here's the great thing. Those VW parts - like the stalk controls for the wipers - they were beautifully designed and crafted. VW in the 70's had great designers. The 924 captures some of the best design thinking of the 1970s and that's pretty nice.
The 944 was a wonderful evolution of a design. Beefed up everything, including brakes, and put a lot of power under the hood. But the 924 still stands as an extremely refined design, and after seeing so many brawny 944s, the lighter tighter look of the 924 became that much more fresh and appealing. The fact that it was such a practical car with that beautiful big glass hatch makes it even more appealing.
Nice car. Lovely wife. Great story. And a cute little white dog too.
Anthony Cagle on March 24, 2008 at 07:53 PM
I thought it was a goat at first. . . . .
Mochi Mochi on March 24, 2008 at 08:02 PM
The Bosch K fuel injection system used in these cars was incredibly novel and innovative - and simple. It was an electric (not electronic) and mechanical system - high pressure electric fuel pump with a mechanical air flow sensor. The system measured air flow and then metered the flow of fuel to injectors. The airflow was measured by a very thin plate suspended on a lever arm in the center of a venturi housing. The more the flow plate lifted the more fuel was delivered to the injectors. All parts had to be machined to extremely fine tolerances to make sure the right mixture was produced. This was a simpler control system than the electronic Bosch fuel injection systems used in the VW Squareback and porsche 914 (the black boxes that needed to be protected from moisture). Adjustment was pretty easy. The only reliability issue was the "cold start valve". This was like a choke system. It would spray a lot of gas during cold weather... sort of a 5th injector that made a really rich mixture. The reliability issue with starting came if the cold start valve stopped working. The other problem was if the valve started leaking - then it was like you were always to rich in mixture.
Mochi Mochi on March 24, 2008 at 08:05 PM
dog - not goat, Anthony - the ears are different
Brian on March 25, 2008 at 02:43 AM
I have to agree with everything Mochi Mochi has said. I'm still amazed at the devoted following the 924 has. And thanks Chris for the highly addictive blog.
AlaskaJohn on March 25, 2008 at 05:53 AM
Great article and fun to read. I also like the step by step listed on your other site. Looks like you had a fun summer!
SteveWe on April 07, 2008 at 04:51 AM
I had a 924 -- bought new. It is a super driver's car. In the time that I owned it, I ran it up 101 from San Diego to Grant's Pass and back. Also up the old 395 to June Lake. It was not a good car in the snow because the rear was very squirrelly even with chains.
Parts for repairs were crazy. The Porsche parts cost three times the identical VW parts. For those looking at buying one, I recommend that you look at the battery shelf. Any acid leaks will find their way to the RF floor panel and then any rain will find its way through the same holes. Also, battery acid will follow the lead down to the ground lug on the clutch housing where it may cause an arc to the starter motor and actually start itself while untended in the garage (yes, that did happen).
Sure was a pretty car though and could carry an amazing amount of stuff with the back seats down. I think the 924 was designed for old US routes and twisty mountain highways. I wish I had one just for those kind of trips.