924

Introduced for the 1976 model year, this Porsche marked a major shift for the brand by bringing a front-mounted, water-cooled engine and rear transaxle layout to a production sports car. Originally developed from a Volkswagen project before Porsche took it over, it became the company’s entry-level coupe and helped establish the transaxle family that later included the 944, 928 and 968. Its practical 2+2 packaging and hatchback body gave it broader everyday usability than many earlier Porsche models, while still keeping the driver-focused character expected of the marque. Over its life the nameplate expanded into performance-oriented derivatives such as the 924 Turbo and, later, the Porsche-engineered 924 S. Production ended with the 1988 model year, closing an important chapter in Porsche’s transition from purely rear-engined sports cars to a more diverse lineup.