A new direction for Porsche
When Porsche introduced the 928 in 1977, it set out to redefine its own future. Designed as a V8 grand touring (GT) car with a front-mounted engine and transaxle layout, it was meant to replace the 911 — a bold move that ultimately reshaped, rather than replaced, Porsche’s identity.
At its peak stood the 928 S4, introduced in 1987. With a 5.0-liter V8, refined aerodynamics, and the Weissach rear axle, it delivered stability, speed, and long-distance comfort in equal measure — the most complete expression of Porsche’s GT vision.
Unlike the rear-engined 911, the 928 followed a different logic: balanced weight distribution, high-speed composure, and usability over distance. Its low, shark-like profile and distinctive pop-up headlights earned it the nickname “Landshark” — a design where form and function meet.
This car
This 1989 Porsche 928 S4 Coupé, built in November 1988 and finished in Dark Blue over black leather, was originally delivered to Japan and maintained at official Porsche service centers before returning to Europe, where it was acquired by its current owner in Lithuania in 2018.
In 2020, it underwent a comprehensive restoration at Porsche Center Vilnius, centered around the installation of a brand-new, factory-original 5.0-liter V8 engine supplied by Porsche, correct to the car’s original specification, alongside a full mechanical refresh, repaint in the original color, interior restoration, and new wheels. Since then, it has covered just over 1,700 km and remains part of a private Porsche collection.
Long overshadowed by the 911, the 928 is now recognized as one of Porsche’s most unconventional and technically ambitious models — a car that represents not what Porsche was, but what it could have become.