Once smiled at by fans
The “housewife porsche” 924 is 50
04/13/2025 – 4:27 p.m.Reading time: 3 min.
The Porsche 924 celebrates its 50th anniversary and looks back on an eventful story. Originally developed by VW, he established himself as a sales success.
A Porsche with Audi engine built at Audi-can that be a real Porsche? In 1975 Porsche launched a new entry -level model with the 924. Front engine, transaxle technology, folding headlight-design and technology hit the nerve of the times. And yet the new coupé polarizes like hardly any other Porsche before – especially the hard -boiled fans of the brand.
The 924 was originally developed on behalf of VW. A sporting successor to VW-Porsche 914 is to be created under the project name EA 425. From 1972, Porsche engineers in Weissach design a 2+2-seater with a front engine and transaxle construction.
Then the car should come onto the market as a VW, but before the model is ready for series production, VW 1974 pulls the ripcord-the company is in financial difficulties, the EA 425 is considered too expensive and in its own portfolio there is already a golf basis.
Porsche takes over the project, adapts to its own standards – and brings it to the market under its own name in 1975. The 924 should address new customers and give the company stable income after the oil crisis.
The 924 is built at Audi in Neckarsulm. The water-cooled two-liter in-line engine with 125 hp comes from the Audi shelf. There is also a lot on the inside that looks more like a large series than for sports cars. But the mixture of Porsche know-how and VW parts hits a market requirement: an affordable sports car with space, everyday suitability and image-although it is certainly not a bargain with 24,000 marks.
With a CW value of 0.36, folding headlights and a large glass tailgate, the 924 is aerodynamically thought out. The transaxle technique ensures balanced weight distribution. In driving, the car convinces with stable handling, good overview and acceptable consumption. And it is considered one of the first “long-term cars”: thanks to galvanized body lovers of a world’s first “6-year long-term guarantee”, the 924 was very durable. In an era, when the average car life expectancy was only for a good six years, that was a sensation.
Despite all efforts, the 924 remains an outsider in the eyes of many fans. This is less due to technology than the origin. A Porsche with Audi engine-a contradiction for many. The folding headlights are considered fashionable, the lines are pleasing, but not sporty enough. The term “housewife-Porsche” quickly makes the round.
In fact, the 924 is aimed at new target groups. The price is significantly below that of a 911, but above a scirocco. The sales figures show that the invoice is working. As early as 1977, the 924 was the best -selling sports car in the world.
From 1978 Porsche offers a turbo variant with 170 hp. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in under eight seconds, reaches over 225 km/h-and thus approaches the classic Porsche models. Follow later versions with 177 hp and optimized technology.
The 924 will also be further developed for motorsport. The Carrera GT (210 hp) and the Carrera GTS (245 hp) make the model suitable for race track. Even Rallye world champion Walter Röhrl sits at the 924 GTS at the German Rally Championship at the 924 GTS.
