Unveiled at Geneva in 1977, the Porsche 928 was designed to succeed the 911 as a luxurious grand tourer. Styled by Wolfgang Möbius, it featured a futuristic egg-shaped design and a front-mounted V-8 engine, marking a shift in Porsche’s engineering philosophy. Named “European Car of the Year” in 1978, the 928 continued to evolve until production ceased in 1995. The final development was the GTS model, which featured a 5.4-liter DOHC V-8, larger front brakes, Cup 1 wheels, and revised bodywork.

This 928 GTS is particularly distinguished, and was ordered directly from the factory by the Porsche-sponsored Czech tennis star Helena Suková. An acclaimed athlete of her era, Ms. Suková earned two Grand Slam singles titles, 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, and a silver medal at the 1988 and 1996 Summer Olympics.

As detailed in Sam Smith’s article “Grand Turismo Slam,” published in the Summer 2024 issue of 000 magazine, Suková ordered this GTS in October 1993 through Porsche’s Tourist Delivery Car program. Specified in Guards Red with a supple black leather interior, the long list of factory options included sport shock absorbers, heated and programmable front seats, side moldings, an electric sunroof, and a black rear spoiler.

Notably, the order sheet on file specifies the rare “X38 EXC” option, with the annotation “more horsepower/other brakes.” Found on only 66 GTS models, the X38 option provided rolled, inner fender lips to accommodate wider wheels.

A supplementary order sheet, dated October 20, 1993, outlines additional modifications, including a 25 mm lowered suspension, ventilated disc brakes, and a performance upgrade to 370 hp (costing DM 12,000). A handwritten note on file refers to further customization requests from Suková and her motor sports-enthusiast husband, Jaromir Jirik. These included a Pioneer audio system, NACA-style air intakes akin to the 968 Turbo, a sports steering wheel, and an oil cooler.

In December 1993, the GTS was sent to Rolf Sprenger’s Porsche Exclusive Department for bespoke upgrades. There, the engine was upgraded with GT-specification cams, ported cylinder heads, and a precision valve grind. Dyno testing by Porsche Exclusive confirmed outputs of 366.8 hp and 386 lbs./ft. of torque – gains of 17 hp and 17 lbs./ft. over standard.

Suková is believed to have owned the GTS until the mid-2000s. In 2017, the car was purchased in Europe and imported to the US, passing through two collections before being acquired by its current owner.

Originally priced at over DM 200,000 ($125,000 in 1994), this GTS features the “09981” and “09971” designations for post-production modifications and VIN-specific options. One of only four examples featuring both the X38 fender package and more engaging five-speed manual transaxle, it remains largely as it was when it left Porsche’s Exclusive workshop in June 1994. With bespoke upgrades and a provenance that includes tennis champion Helena Suková, this 928 GTS is a truly unique and highly collectible example.