Volkswagen's decision not to proceed with their designed-by-Porsche 914 replacement led to the latter taking on the project themselves.

Launched in November 1975, the resulting 924 drew heavily on Volkswagen/Audi components: the 2-litre, four-cylinder, overhead-camshaft engine being a development of the Audi 100's, and the 4-speed transaxle a VW unit.

A 5-speed Porsche-designed gearbox and improvements to the suspension were early developments, and in 1978 came the first truly high-performance 924 - the Turbo.

The latter's extra 45bhp raised the top speed to around 150mph, and this figure would be further improved upon by the 924 Carrera GT.

A road model with competition potential, the luxuriously equipped Carrera GT was launched at the 1979 Frankfurt Show.

Easily distinguishable from lesser 924s by virtue of its bonnet air intake and widened wheel arches, the Carrera GT was built in limited numbers - only 406 were made - 400 cars being the minimum requirement to gain homologation...