Porsche 928 by Nardone Automotive debuts as contemporary refresh of the ‘70s icon

French-based Nardone Automotive has revealed its contemporary interpretation of the Porsche 928, the V8-powered four-seater coupe that was first introduced in 1978 as a replacement for the 911. The original, while not perfect, was a huge step for Porsche technically, introducing a whole range of firsts for the company, including a fuel-injected V8, water-cooled engine and the company’s Weissach axle, which went on to be fitted to the 993 generation 911. 

Theirry Nardone, owner and namesake of Nardone Automotive, has always valued the transaxle Porsche, revealing his updated interpretation in the form of this restomod version that will build on the original with a spread of new elements that both modernises the new design, while not compromising on its inherent spirit. 

A new composite body both cleans up the original Wolfgang Mobius-designed body, while adding some extra aggression with its pumped up wheel arches both front and rear. Those at the front blend into a new nose cone that incorporates both historic references around the indicators and new LED sidelights, with a subtle integrated splitter and slip-vents as found on other transaxle Porsches like the 924 Carrera GT. 

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The rear end has also seen some big updates, namely a new light bar and integrated graphics that go alongside. The wheels are 18-inch in diameter and their design references the original ‘manhole’ 16-inch units, only with significantly more offset to fill those new flared arches. 

Inside, the cabin has been completely retrimmed and features tech upgrades including the application of Porsche’s own heritage Hifi upgrade that incorporates Apple CarPlay into a discreet colour display. Other elements such as the bespoke switchgear and reformed dash are also new, and make the interior much cleaner, replacing the ‘70s plastic switchgear for metallic replacements.

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Under the skin, the 928’s fundamentals remain, with Nardone Automotive targeting mechanical upgrades on the base V8 engine that will produce up to 400bhp. This will be helped along by a contemporary ECU – typically a bugbear in early 928s – coupled to a new six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. The 928’s complex suspension system will also be redesigned, with new axles, adaptive dampers, electric power steering and an upgraded braking package. 

Nardone Automotive hasn’t revealed any build numbers or subsequent pricing, but after being revealed at Milan Fashion week, will join other automotive high flyers at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Nardone Automotive is targeting first deliveries of their revitalised 928s to be some time in 2024, meaning that this initial show car still has some way to go before being released to customers, but if initial impressions are something to go by, we look forward to seeing where it ends up.