One to Buy: 18,000 mile 1990 Porsche 928 S4 Gemballa Convertible
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Although the contemporary 911 was offered in three alternative body styles to maximise its appeal, Porsche concluded that the market for its grand front-engined flagship, the 928, was too small to warrant the investment required for an open top version.
The closest the company came to offering such a machine was in 1987 when an S4-based prototype dubbed H51 was quietly produced for assessment. However, the programme ultimately came to nothing which was a great shame as a roof-less 928 would have made a great alternative to the likes of a Mercedes-Benz SL or Jaguar XJS.
Instead, Porsche left it to aftermarket tuners to produce Convertible and Targa-topped 928s for customers that wanted such a machine.
Of the small number of firms to produce an open top 928, undoubtedly the best were those by Gemballa who developed a marvellous electric roof that when lowered was concealed below a retractable rear clamshell.
Although rare as hen’s teeth, one of these sensational Gemballa 928 dropheads is currently on offer at the I Automobile Group showroom in Kowloon Bay, Hong Kong.
Based on a right-hand drive 1990 S4, I Automobile’s car was configured in the lovely colour combination of Marine Blue Metallic with Light Grey leather, Dark Blue piping, a matching Dark Blue canvas roof and the seldom seen five-speed manual gearbox. Having covered just 18,000 miles from new, this prime example of the super tuner art is presented in superb condition throughout.
