The Porsche 928 was already one of the most unconventional sports cars of its era, but in the hands of Gemballa, even Porsche’s futuristic V8 grand tourer could become something far more extreme. Now, a 1990 Porsche 928 S4 transformed into a documented Gemballa Wide Version II is up for sale, offering collectors a rare opportunity to own one of the outrageous Porsche tuning creations that helped define Germany’s tuning scene in the 1980s and 1990s.
Unlike a conventional modified 928, this car reportedly carries documentation identifying it as a Gemballa 928 S4 Wide Version II. The conversion combines dramatically widened bodywork with distinctive aerodynamic additions, BBS wheels, upgraded suspension, a quad-exhaust system and a heavily reworked interior.
Underneath the extravagant styling is the familiar 5.0-liter V8 of the Porsche 928 S4, producing 320 horsepower and driving the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.
For enthusiasts of classic Porsche tuning, it is the combination of provenance, period-correct styling and rarity that makes this 928 particularly interesting.
Gemballa Turned Porsche Tuning Into an Art Form
Gemballa began operations in Germany in 1979, initially concentrating on high-end automotive interiors. The company gradually moved far beyond upholstery and cabin customization, developing increasingly ambitious modifications for Porsche and Mercedes-Benz models.
During the 1980s, Gemballa’s creations became famous for their extravagant styling, extensive electronic upgrades and highly personalized interiors. The company’s work eventually became so extensive that its modified cars were regarded as substantially different from their factory counterparts.
Under founder Uwe Gemballa, the company developed a reputation for building some of the most visually dramatic Porsches of the era. Rather than simply increasing engine output, Gemballa frequently approached each car as a complete transformation, with the bodywork and interior receiving as much attention as the mechanical components.
That philosophy is particularly evident in cars such as the 930 Turbo Avalanche and later Gemballa creations based on the 993 and 996 generations of the Porsche 911. The company would eventually produce even more ambitious projects, including the Mirage GT based on the Carrera GT and the high-powered Tornado derived from the Cayenne.
The 928 S4 Wide Version II represents that same unmistakable Gemballa philosophy.
A Porsche 928 S4 With Gemballa Widebody Styling
The fourth-generation 928 S4 introduced substantial improvements over earlier versions of Porsche’s front-engine V8 grand tourer. Its 5.0-liter V8 produced 320 hp, giving the large luxury coupe serious performance while retaining the long-distance touring character that defined the 928.
Gemballa’s Wide Version II conversion fundamentally changes the car’s appearance.
The most obvious modification is the extended widebody treatment, giving the 928 a considerably more aggressive stance. The conversion is complemented by two rear spoilers, creating a silhouette that looks dramatically different from a standard 928 S4.
The car also rides on BBS wheels, one of the most recognizable names in period German performance tuning. KW suspension components reportedly provide the chassis upgrades, while a quad-exhaust system adds another visual and mechanical signature to the rear of the car.
This is not subtle tuning, and that is precisely the point.
During the peak of the German tuning scene, companies such as Gemballa were creating cars for customers who wanted something that could not be ordered from a Porsche showroom. Wide fenders, bespoke interiors, unusual aerodynamic components and sophisticated electronics were all part of the formula.
Inside, the 928 received a reupholstered interior, continuing the Gemballa tradition of treating the cabin as an integral part of the customization rather than an afterthought.
320-HP V8 Power and Classic Porsche Performance
Despite its wild appearance, the mechanical foundation remains unmistakably Porsche.
The 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 produces 320 hp, which was a substantial figure for a luxury GT of the period. Power is sent through a four-speed automatic transmission, matching the 928 S4’s grand-touring character.
The 928 was conceived as a different kind of Porsche. Rather than relying on the rear-mounted flat-six configuration associated with the 911, it used a front-mounted V8 and transaxle layout designed to improve weight distribution.
That engineering helped make the 928 exceptionally stable at high speed while providing the refinement expected from a premium long-distance sports car.
Gemballa’s modifications add a completely different visual personality to that engineering package.
More Than €50,000 Reportedly Invested in 2021
One of the more significant details surrounding this particular Porsche 928 is the reported amount spent on its restoration and refurbishment.
According to the available description, more than €50,000 was invested in the car in 2021 at the Porsche Classic Center Arnhem.
That investment is noteworthy because maintaining and restoring heavily modified classic cars can be considerably more complicated than preserving an original example. A documented Gemballa conversion requires attention not only to the underlying Porsche components but also to the specialized bodywork, suspension, wheels, exhaust system and interior.
The reported work therefore adds another layer of interest for potential collectors.
For a car that combines Porsche’s factory engineering with one of Germany’s most recognizable tuning brands, documented restoration history can be just as important as the specification itself.
The Legacy of Uwe Gemballa
Any discussion of a classic Gemballa automobile inevitably leads back to Uwe Gemballa, the company’s founder and the man who established its distinctive identity.
Gemballa’s success was built on the idea that wealthy Porsche owners did not necessarily want another factory-standard sports car. They wanted something unique, and the company became exceptionally good at delivering exactly that.
Uwe Gemballa disappeared while traveling in South Africa in 2010. He was subsequently found dead near Pretoria, bringing a tragic end to the story of one of Germany’s most influential tuning entrepreneurs.
Following the liquidation of the original company, the Gemballa name and assets changed hands. Andreas Schwarz and investor Steffen Korbach subsequently took control of the brand.
Uwe Gemballa’s son, Marc Philipp Gemballa, later established a separate automotive company and continued the family’s high-performance philosophy with modern projects including the Marsien and Marsien GT.
Why the Gemballa 928 Matters Today
The classic German tuning market has changed dramatically. Cars that were once considered extravagant aftermarket creations are increasingly being viewed as historically significant examples of automotive culture.
That shift has particularly benefited rare Porsche conversions from companies such as Gemballa, Ruf and other specialist manufacturers.
The 928 itself is also experiencing renewed appreciation. For years, Porsche’s front-engine V8 GT occupied an unusual position within the company’s history, overshadowed by the iconic 911. Today, collectors are increasingly recognizing the 928 for its sophisticated engineering, distinctive design and importance to Porsche’s evolution during the late 1970s through the 1990s.
A documented Gemballa Wide Version II brings those two stories together.
It is simultaneously a Porsche 928 S4, a piece of period German tuning history and an example of the excess that made Gemballa famous.
A Rare Opportunity for Porsche and Gemballa Collectors
The combination of a 5.0-liter 320-hp V8, automatic transmission, Gemballa Wide Version II body conversion, BBS wheels, KW suspension, quad exhaust and reworked interior makes this 1990 Porsche 928 S4 anything but ordinary.
More importantly, the reported documentation of the Gemballa conversion gives the car historical significance beyond its appearance.
As the market for significant 1980s and 1990s German performance cars continues to mature, period-correct tuning conversions are becoming increasingly interesting to collectors. The cars that once represented the wild side of the aftermarket are now snapshots of an era when tuning companies were willing to push factory designs to extremes.
This Gemballa 928 S4 is a perfect example.
It may not have the understated appearance of a concours-original Porsche, but that was never the purpose of a Gemballa. The entire idea was to take an already exceptional Porsche and create something dramatically different.
More than three decades after it left the factory, this 1990 Porsche 928 S4 Wide Version II remains a striking reminder of just how far Germany’s legendary tuning houses were willing to go.
Source: Silodrome
