Ok, let’s call out the Elephant in the room. The first thing you need to know about the Porsche 924, is that it wasn’t actually built by Porsche, it was built by Volkswagen employees, in an Audi factory!
Not a big deal right? “Audi and VW build incredible cars” I hear you say! Well sadly, this fact has been largely responsible for keeping 924 values at rock bottom for years! But the tide is finally turning, and so it should be, because the 924 even in completely standard guise is an absolutely brilliant car. It’s also a great way to step into Porsche ownership without paying through the teeth… for now.
The 924 was also a really important car for Porsche. Released in 1975 it shifted over 150,000 units, providing cash to a company that at the time was in dire need of it. In fact each time you sit back and admire a 911, you can thank cars like the 924 (and it’s older brother the 944) because without them, it’s likely Porsche wouldn’t be making 911’s anymore!
Despite the fact the standard 924 had a 4-cylinder Volkswagen engine, the later 924S had a slightly de-tuned version of the 2.5 litre engine from the 944! In addition to that the 924S also has 944 brakes and shares a lot of the 944’s suspension components too. It’s the 924S that we’re here to talk about today, because that’s what Tristan’s been building.
Take one look at the pictures, and you can see Tristan isn’t just a car enthusiast… he’s a craftsman. We are truly in awe of the work he has done (and continues to do) on this car. True to form, we made it our mission to catch up with Tristan, and find out more about his little (big) project!
Porsche 924S – Project Car
Highlights
- Tristan bought the car in 2019, with the idea of doing some extreme modifications, and pushing the envelope in what can be done with a 924 when in the right hands!
- He'd owned a standard 924 before, fell in love with how it drove but felt it needed more power. The only with more power though… is this meant other areas of the car needed to be changed too!
- Tristan describes the project as "fluid" – he's not fully clear on the end goal, and is just enjoying customising it and seeing how it evolves.
- There isn't really any of the car he hasn't modified in some way, bodywork, suspension, custom dash grafted in, wheels, tyres, engine …. the list goes on!
- This isn't Tristan's only cool motor though, he also owns a MK1 Golf, a Porsche 944, and an R32 GTR Skyline (don't worry we WILL be getting these on the site before too long too – though we haven't told Tristan that yet!)
Modifications
- Fully custom wide-body. 130mm wider at the front, and 86mm wider at the rear.
- Bilstein dampers all round, coilovers on the rear to replace the torsion bars.
- 944 wishbones and rear trailing arms with drive shafts fitted for wider track.
- Bigger Brembo calipers and discs.
- 987 dash grafted into the cabin, carbon fibre center-console, Momo wheel, custom binacle, and Recaro SPG seats!
- Wheels – 16 x 8.5 fronts, and 16 x 9.5 rears. It will either sit on Rotiforms or a set of Works Brombachers… tyres will be Michelins
Interview with the owner
- Ok… where do we start? Right, when did you first purchase this car?Back in 2019.
- What made you buy a 924… well ANOTHER 924?I had a standard 924 a few years back and fell in love with how it drove, it really is something to experience. My only drawback was the lack of power. To be fair to them, Porsche did something very special when they engineered this car. They gave it just the right amount of power to hold it on the edge of the cars mechanical capabilities but not to push it over.And herein lies my desire for more! Luckily I found myself coming across this 924S with the right running gear from a 944 which gave me the base to push the power further, and do the mods necessary to know it was capable of handling it (unlike a standard 924!).
- So, what are your plans for the car, and what have you done so far?The car is fluid… my plans have changed so many times I don't keep track anymore. I'm just enjoying creating something new.
- The car is obviously undergoing some serious customisation, tell us more about that…In terms of modifications, it's pretty much everything. The Axle, Drivetrain, Brakes, Suspension, Bodywork, Paintwork, Wheels & Tyres AND the Interior!
- What are your plans with the axle / drivetrain?944 wishbones and rear trailing arms with drive shafts fitted for wider track.
- What are your plans with the brakes and suspension set up?For the brakes, it's bigger Brembo calipers and discs. Suspension, it's got Bilstein dampers all round, and coilovers on the rear to replace the torsion bars.
- The body modifications look incredible, what are you doing here?The whole car is modified for wide-body. It's now 130mm wider at the front, and 86mm wider at the rear.
- What are your plans with the paintwork?I'm unsure on colour at the moment. It will either be red, Baluga Black or Nissan KH2~ gunmetal (to match my R32 GTR!)
- What are your plans with the wheels & tyres?16 x 8.5 on the front, and 16 x 9.5 on the rear. I'll go for a set of Rotas or I do have a set of Works Brombachers that I may run… tyres will be Michelin.
- And you've done some ludicrous mods inside the car, explain what you've done here!It's got a 987 dash grafted into the cabin, a carbon fibre center-console, a Momo wheel, a custom binacle with Cosworth Pi Race dash integrated in. Seats-wise it's got a set of Recaro SPG replicas at the moment, until I find another Recaro SR6 to make a set!
- We know you're not done yet, but is the car a "keeper" or will you sell it one day?Hmmm I'm not sure right now!
- Do you own any other interesting cars?You could say that…I also own a 1983 Golf MK1 Driver 1.4 16v on bike carbs.Then I've got a 1989 Porsche 944 2.7.And also a 1991 Nissan Skyline R32 GTR!NOTE – We will be asking Tristan to feature these on the site too… don't worry, we just need to convince him first!
- Ok final question – ignoring cost, and assuming you couldn’t go and sell it for profit… what’s your dream car and why?I'm pretty content with what I have but a 1991 Porsche 911 Turbo wouldn't go amiss!
