The year 1974 looked bleak for the auto industry. The oil embargo that had quadrupled gas prices overnight was a few months old. Federal smog emissions regulations had added limits on oxides of nitrogen to an industry that was largely clueless about solutions. This led to monstrosities like an 8.2-liter Cadillac V-8 that could muster no more than 190 horsepower.Europe wasn't as severely hamstrung by emissions regulations, but the price of fuel exploded there too.
'Knowing all of this left me with mixed feelings when the Porsche Museum's Kai Roos asked me if I wanted to take a 1977 Turbo for a brief drive. And by the way, this beautiful Oak Green Metallic car with custom buffalo hides, green tartan cloth, and a mere 10,800 miles showing on its odometer was also Ferry Porsche's company car when new. It was pouring rain during the late-afternoon rush hour on Stuttgart's suburban roads surrounding the museum. Of course I took it out.