The challenge
Although based on the 928, the new vehicle would wind-up sporting a variety of extensive modifications and upgrades. Among the most obvious was the extensive reconfiguration of the interior appointments, the redesign of the vehicle’s doors, and the creation of a handsome new trunk for luggage, as a result of the vehicle’s new convertible top. The C928’s new interior featured lush Connelly leather hides out of England, a luxury only previously engaged by the automakers Rolls Royce and Jaguar. When in the down position, the new convertible top is skillfully stored entirely in its own concealed storage compartment, a feature relatively common by today’s standards, but nearly unprecedented in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Engineering a convertible top was the first challenge. Designing it to disappear into a totally concealed chamber required extensive engineering since none of this existed in the original coupe—or any other Porsche for that matter, before now. Those who knew something about the 928’s new chassis, in particular, Porsche’s own hardcore engineers, were all quick to point out that any attempt to modify the 928’s existing chassis (a unibody structure based on monoblock technology) would be a near-impossible task.
The result
Completion was followed by an enormously successful round of international debuts beginning in 1981 at the AutoExpo in Los Angeles California.
Nearly every auto publication from around the world
acknowledged Carelli Design as a new creative powerhouse having
demonstrated its ability to beautifully style highly
complex products in harmony with their maternal makers.
Why the Carelli Design C928 Porsche?
The company, Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG has often been described as the smallest among auto factories, and while that might be true within Germany, international comparisons prove otherwise. At the time of the C928 project, Porsche’s production was approximately 15,000 units annually, with a work force of some 4,200 employed. That could seem gigantic when compared to small automakers, particularly those of Italian and English persuasion with annual productions of 50 to 2,000 units. Truth be told, Porsche’s 928 coupe received a lukewarm reception from its traditional steadfast customer base. The special limited series Carelli Design C928 Porsche convertible was a major attempt to boost, or rather draw attention to the 928 product. Carelli Design had already been in the creative spotlight, receiving positive press on custom one-of-a-kind vehicles. The price tag for owning a custom Carelli Design vehicle in 1979 could cost their new proud owner as much as $350,000 for its keys.
The story behind the Carelli Design
C928 Porsche
C928 Porsche highlights
Extensive modifications and upgrades.
The C928 would wind-up sporting a variety of extensive modifications and upgrades. Among the most obvious were the extensive reconfiguration of the interior appointments, the redesign of the vehicle’s doors, and the creation of a handsome new trunk for luggage, as a result of the vehicle’s new convertible top.
Connelly hides of England. The C928’s
new interior featured lush Connelly leather hides out
of England, a luxury previously engaged only by the
automakers Rolls Royce and Jaguar.
Concealed storage. When in the down
position, the new convertible top was skillfully stored
entirely in its own concealed storage compartment—a
feature that is relatively common by today’s standards,
but was nearly unprecedented in the late 70’s
and early 80’s.
Innovative triumphs. Engineering a convertible top was the first challenge. Designing it to disappear into a totally concealed chamber required extensive engineering, since none of this existed in the original coupe—or any other Porsche for that matter, before now.
A near-impossible task. Those who knew something about the 928’s new chassis, in particular, Porsche’s own hardcore engineers, were all quick to point out that any attempt to modify the 928’s existing chassis (a unibody structure based on monoblock technology) would be a near-impossible task.
An extraordinary design opportunity.
With an annual production of over 15,000 units, and a workforce of some 4,200 employed, Porsche seemed gigantic when compared to small automakers, particularly those of Italian and English persuasion which produce a mere 50 to 2,000 units annually. Big or small, Porsche appeared to the Carelli Design team as a Giant, and for Carelli International’s founder and CEO, Vittorio G. Carelli, it proved to be a perfect fit.
Carelli Design assumed responsibility for the
entire project. Carelli Design assumed responsibility for the entire project, during which Carelli Design’s MESA team assumed responsibility for the entire research, engineering, eventual vehicle design as well as the production of eight completed prototypes (Carelli Design C928 Porsche vehicles). Completion was on-time with a final project development cost in excess of 2.5 million dollars, and followed by an enormously successful round of international debuts beginning in 1981 at the AutoExpo in Los Angeles California.
Products in harmony with their maternal makers.
The success of the C928 project brought acclamation
and worldwide recognition to Carelli Design’s
C928 MESA team. Nearly every auto publication from around
the world acknowledged Carelli Design as a new creative
powerhouse—having demonstrated its ability to
beautifully style highly complex products in harmony
with their maternal makers.
An unrelenting fascination with Porsche.
The C928 project perhaps would have never seen the light
of day, if it were not for the company’s early
business activities and integral ties with the legendary
automobile manufacturer itself. It may even be said
that it was Vittorio Carelli’s early unrelenting
fascination with the Porsche automobile that Carelli
International exists today.
Today, our company contributes much of its ideology
and engineering principals to those early years influenced
by Porsche methodology and philosophy.
Options, accessories and related
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Technical specifications (Carelli Design C928
Porsche)
General description
Vehicle model: Carelli Design C928 Porsche
Chassis type: two seat convertible
Final unit cost: $80,000.00 (U.S. Dollars, excluding taxes)
Quantity of vehicles constructed: 8 units (excluding prototypes)
Engine
No. of cylinders: V-8 water cooled
Displacement: 4.5 liters
Horsepower: 230
Rated at RPM: 5,250
Transmission
Type: 3 speed automatic or 5 speed manual (optional)
Chassis
Front suspension: independent, double A-arms with coil
springs
Rear suspension: independent WEISSACH axle
Steering: power assisted (hydraulic) rack and pinion
Brakes: dual diagonal circuits, calipers front and rear,
disc vented
Stability control: stabilizers front and rear Ø
28/22.5mm
Wheels: 16" alloy front and rear
Tires: Pirelli P7
Frame: C928 triangular space added for rigidity
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 2500mm
Track, front: 1552mm
Track, rear: 1529mm
Length: 4622mm
Width: 1836mm
Weight
Weight: 3290 lbs /1480 kg (with automatic transmission)
Coach
Construction: all steel and aluminum
Exterior: acrylic enamel finish
Interior: Connolly leather and 100% wool carpeting
Seats: 6 way, power operated
Windows: power operated
Safety: central warning system
Convertible top: 2-ply European auto cloth canvas
Performance
Maximum speed: 143 mph
0-60 mph: 7. 5 seconds
Duration 1/4 mile: 15.5 seconds
Warranty
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available.
Ordering information
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available.
Ordering information (related products)
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available.
Other
related products
Footnotes
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available.
Legal information
Legal information
© 1979-2012 Carelli International Corporation.
All Rights Reserved. Carelli Design C928, and the Carelli
C928 logo are registered trademarks of Carelli International
Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other
countries. Porsche, and the Porsche logo are registered
trademarks of Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG. Porsche, Porsche
Crest, Porsche Design, and other Porsche product names,
model numbers, logos, commercial symbols, trade names
and slogans are trademarks of Porsche automobiles are
trade dress of Dr. Ing. H.C. F.Porsche AG ("PAG")
and are protected by U.S. and international trademark
laws.
© 1973-2012 Carelli International Corporation.
All Rights Reserved. Carelli, Carelli Design, Vittorio
Carelli, and the Carelli logo are registered trademarks
of Carelli International Corporation or its subsidiaries
in the U.S. and other countries.
We reserve the right of modification to materials and
or specifications without prior notice. Mention of non-Carelli
products is for informational purposes and constitutes
neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. Carelli
International Corporation assumes no responsibility
with regard to the selection, performance, or use of
these products.
Revised August 2012
Publication Ref. 8242.9261 EN form 9261.1/V120 |
