Originally, the 924 was to have become a Volkswagen model, dubbed Blizzard. When Volkswagen pulls out of the joint project, Porsche launches the car as its own model.

Like the 914, the 924 has nearly 50/50 weight distribution, but instead of a mid-engined configuration, it places its engine up front with the transmission at the rear, connected to the engine via a 1-inch solid driveshaft housed in a rigid tube.

The four-cylinder engine derives from a VW LT truck (and sounds like it).

Porsche launches the 924 Turbo a few years later, but the turbo is not water-cooled, and suffers reliability woes.

With the 944-engined 924S, the series finally comes good; lighter and faster than the 944, the 924S gives the somewhat unloved Porsche a heroic send-off.

Thanks to their galvanized bodies, 924s remain a relatively regular sight.