984, Porsche’s miniature concept from the late 1980s will come at the right time to completely redefine the small convertible market, beating the new Mazda MX-5 launched on the market in 1989 for a few years. Porsche worked with Spanish automaker SEAT on various projects throughout the 1980s, including this sub-2000-pound plastic roof two-seat mid-engine car. Porsche was aiming for a price of $14,000 in 1987 and around 120 horsepower, which would have put it on par with Mazda’s long-running roadster.
The project was originally built around the “Porsche System” water-cooled inline four-cylinder engine found in the Mk1 Ibiza, but after SEAT withdrew from the project, Porsche retooled the design with a low-mounted air-cooled flat-four engine. The prototype uses an old Type 4 engine from the old 914, although the company is said to be developing a new flat-4 engine for this car and plans to use it on small aircraft.
The car’s design was clearly inspired by the shape of the then-contemporary 928 and 944, with an almost identical interior from the late 944. This is an impressive mid-century modern design. the 1980s and many details on this car remained the same to define Porsche designs for the next decade.
Considering how successful the Mazda MX-5 was when it launched in 1989, bringing the small roadster formula to Europe, selling almost a quarter of a million in its first generation, Porsche may have actually made it. labour. When the company finally built a reasonably priced mid-engine roadster, the Boxster, in 1997, it quickly became the best-selling car in the company’s history (although it later surpassed by Porsche and Macan).
The world needs more lightweight and inexpensive sports cars. If Porsche had launched the 984 in the late 1980s, it might now be a brand known for affordable, accessible sports cars instead of six-figure SUVs. Or maybe it will be both. Oh, what could happen?
