A Rival That Never Was

Imagine a timeline where Porsche offered a compact, affordable, and lightweight convertible to challenge the Mazda Miata. Back in 1984, the legendary German manufacturer spent three years developing exactly that. Known as the 984 Concept, this two-seater was spearheaded by the Porsche Development Centre in Weissach.

Had the 984 reached production, it would have hit the market just before the first-generation Miata debuted in 1989. Instead of Mazda enjoying decades of dominance in the affordable roadster segment, the industry might have seen a fierce rivalry between the Japanese automaker and Porsche.


Engineering for Fun

The 984 was designed to serve as a successor to the aging 924 coupe. According to records, the vehicle was remarkably light, weighing in at just 1,940 pounds—significantly less than the original Miata. Porsche engineers aimed to prioritize driving enjoyment, keeping the weight low while utilizing a modest 133-hp, 2-liter, air-cooled, rear-mounted four-cylinder boxer engine.

The history of the powertrain is unique. During the early 80s, the Spanish manufacturer Seat commissioned Porsche to assist with engine development for their Ibiza, Malaga, and Ronda models as they moved away from Fiat and toward a partnership with Volkswagen. Following this, Porsche and Seat collaborated on a lightweight project internally codenamed "PS." When that partnership stalled, Porsche brought the project in-house, eventually rebranding it as the 984 "Junior."


Performance and Design

The 984 was targeted at a younger, sporty demographic, with a projected price of 40,000 German marks. Key development objectives included:

  • Exceptional fuel efficiency.
  • An innovative folding hard-top mechanism.
  • Potential for an all-wheel-drive variant for motorsport applications.

The car was capable of reaching a top speed of 137 mph. Stylistically, it drew inspiration from the 928, featuring similar circular headlights on a wedge-shaped hood and horizontal turn signals. These design cues would later influence the 993-generation 911 in the 1990s. Inside, the cockpit was classic Porsche, featuring a six-dial instrument cluster and a two-spoke steering wheel.


The Impact of Black Monday

Despite its promise, the project fell victim to global economic instability. In 1987, the sharp decline of the U.S. dollar made the project financially unviable. The final blow came on October 19, 1987—famously known as "Black Monday"—when the stock market crashed. With consumer confidence shaken, the appetite for a low-powered, premium-badged sports car evaporated, leading to the cancellation of the 984 in early 1988.

However, the legacy of the 984 survived. Porsche eventually returned to the accessible convertible market with the Boxster. As the company noted, the spirit of the 984 project helped pave the way for the Boxster and its hard-topped sibling, the Cayman, both of which remain pillars of the Porsche lineup today.