[Moneyguy1]

Hey...It's fun to exchange info and ideas. Yes, originally the 924 was to be a VW/Audi product, similar to the 914. What happened was that what VW "changed their minds" Porsche saw it as a way to get their balance sheet in more positive territory. My gut feeling is that Porsche had very little experience with straight inline four cylinder engines and kept getting themselves deeper in the crap as the 944 design progressed. I imagine that management gave them a timetable and, right or wrong, they came up with some compromises that, although not optimal, filled the bill. What is sad is that, realizing (we assume they knew about the engine's Achille's heel), Porsche did not, for the 1985.5 "series 2" come up with a different configuration. From a standpoint of esthetics, the car still looks as modern as tomorrow; the only objection I have to the body build is the rear hatch and its tendency to delaminate. Had I been the designer, I would have made the frame more robust, or eliminate it altogether and do what GM did with the Camaro/Firebird with the hinges bolted directly through molded holes in the glass canopy. Then, sadly, over the life of the 944 the annual price increases began to take their toll to the point where it was no longr "affordable" as an entry level vehicle, and many of the reviews pointed out the fact that it was a lot to pay for a 4 cylinder car. The weight of a VR6 is even a few pounds less than the 4 banger, and the Detroit 3.8 liter V6 is within 20 pounds according to my sources. IN addition, such an engine would have sat back a tad, reducing the front to back weight distribution differential!!

I give these only as potential configurations, not as engine sources!!!!!

It would have been a totally different car from the standpoint of potential. Granted, the turbo model can be horsed up to phenominal numbers, but at what cost in reliability? Had the company started wih 3.2 or 3.8 liters, there would have been so much more to work with. Even with the four; imagine had the turbo model head been redesigned so the intake/exhaust were on the same side. Would have simplified the plumbing, reduced the weight a bit, eliminated some weak spoys such as cracking of exhaust components. They could have done a lot had they wanted to but consider the 911 as an example. The annual changes were incremental, never radical. Flip over an early 911 and a later model and from the bottom to the casual observer, they look a lot alike (even a beetle looks similar).

This has been a great discussion. Thanks!

Bob S.....

I did work early in my career for GM in research........great fun!!!