- SpyderWerks replaced all body panels, making this Porsche look more like an MX-5.
- Beneath the new exterior, this Porsche retains its 928 chassis and a 5.0-liter V8 engine.
- While the car only has 5,714 miles on the clock, it failed to sell at a recent auction.
Believe it or not, this strange creation is actually a Porsche 928. I know, it’s hard to believe, given the strange bodywork now adorning the exterior of the classic Porsche, but this really is a 928. Earlier this week, it was listed for sale but didn’t find a new owner, even though the bidding reached $15,000.
While this is a 1987 Porsche 928, it’s believed to have been transformed in the 1990s by a small company called SpyderWerks. That firm is no longer around, but it’s known for creating a handful of droptop 928s like this one. Tracking down exact details on how many SpyderWerks cars were built is tricky, but it’s clear that these modified 928s are quite rare.
Read: This One-Off Canadian Coachbuilt Porsche 928 Spyder Prototype Is For Sale
The bodywork of this 928 Spyder is a departure from anything Porsche built in the 1980s. In fact, it shares more design similarities with a Mazda MX-5 than with the Porsche 928. Gone are the original body panels, replaced with a softer, curvier design that’s far more in tune with the convertible sports car vibe of the era.
Take the front, for example. It has simple round headlights and, like the 928, a teeny-tiny grille. New wing mirrors have also been installed, as have new doors and door handles. Being a Spyder, the fixed roof has also been chopped off, making way for a convertible soft top. Bulging rear quarter panels really catch the eye, as do the interesting tinted taillights.
Despite all the work done to the outside of the car, much of the cabin remains standard 928. With that being said, some changes have been made to the dashboard and door panels, while a new Momo steering wheel has also been fitted. The original 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 appears completely original, and the car has been driven just 5,714 miles (9,195 km), Mecum notes.
Likely a key reason why the car didn’t sell is that most people probably have no idea what it is, or aren’t particularly fond of the idea of owning a 928 that doesn’t even look like a Porsche. Add to that the fact the SpyderWerks creation carries a restored salvage title, and it’s not exactly an easy sell.
Despite its rare origins, this SpyderWerks Porsche might just need a little more time (and a buyer with a lot of imagination) to find its perfect home.
