“Risky Business,” the 1983 film by written and directed by Paul Brickman, has danced its way into the history of moviedom. The film launched the career of an up-and-coming Tom Cruise, whose tighty-whitey-clad performance to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll” remains an iconic part of cinematic lore. The film is equal parts a lampoon of male adolescence mixed with suburban whimsy; think “Animal House” meets “The Graduate” – a romping coming-of-age story set in Chicago’s affluent North Shore neighborhood of Highland Park.
Cruise, as the film’s protagonist Joel Goodsen (good son), finds himself alone in the house while his demanding parents abscond to some far-off paradise. It’s here where the ball begins to roll, and a cascade of mischief follows the poignantly named “good son” as he motors about in his father’s Porsche 928. The shark-nosed, bug-eyed 928 was chosen for its role in the film by Brickman himself, supplanting its rear-engined brother, the venerable 911 – a car Brickman considered “too mundane.” In Brickman’s eyes the 928 was the perfect choice for a successful Windy City businessman and the perfect car to land a teenager in a whole heap of trouble.
Offered with No Reserve at the inaugural 2021 Barrett-Jackson Houston Auction is the hero car from “Risky Business,” a 1979 Porsche 928. Multiple 928s were used during the production of the film, but this car was the featured vehicle, and received the brunt of screen time and seat time from the cast. And before we go any further – no, this was not the car that found itself submerged in an unforgiving Lake Michigan. It is in fact one of three cars driven on set, and one of two cars used during the film’s signature chase scene that culminated in Cruise, looking straight into the camera, declaring the German carmaker’s slogan, “Porsche. There is no substitute.”
The 928 was an engineering masterpiece when it was launched in 1978. Considered as a possible successor to the 911, the 928 was no slouch. More GT cruiser than typical sports car, a burly 4.5-liter V8 is nestled under the hood. The 928 produces 219 horsepower, allowing the car to hit 60 mph from a standstill in just 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 143 mph. A 5-speed manual routes power to the rear wheels, and this example wears 16-inch offset 5-hole aluminum alloy wheels and features a beautiful cork on cork leather interior.
Apart from starring alongside Tom Cruise and Rebecca De Mornay, this car – VIN 9289201213 – has a unique story all its own. The 928 was the subject of the documentary, “The Quest for the RB928 (Risky Business 928),” in which filmmaker Lewis Johnsen chronicles his journey to track down this particular 928. Oh, and there’s another thing that contributes to the provenance – it was in this car that Tom Cruise learned how to drive a stick shift.
This 928 has resided in a climate-controlled environment in a private collection, where it has been meticulously cared for. Originally painted green, the 928 was refinished in gold for the movie, and later wore white. Following the film’s production, the car returned to California, where it was discovered by Johnsen and returned to its original screen appearance. Marking its importance in Porsche history, the 928 has been featured at numerous museums and displays. This car was a centerpiece at Porsche Cars North America for a year and was part of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s influential Porsche Effect Exhibit. While at the Petersen, Chad McQueen – son of legendary racer and actor Steve McQueen – sat in this car. The 928 also features signatures from several members of the film’s cast – including Bronson Pinchot (“Barry”), Joe Pantoliano (“Guido”), Curtis Armstrong (“Miles”) and Francine Locke (“Shower Girl”) – and comes with several images of the car on set covered in camera rigging equipment.
A piece of both cinematic and Porsche engineering history, the 928’s starring role in “Risky Business” helped to further inspire a generation of Porsche fans, and presaged Porsche’s wider design and engineering accomplishments. When this iconic automobile crosses the block in Houston, recall the film’s tagline, “There’s a time for playing it safe and a time for risky business.” To be clear, this Porsche is 100 percent “Risky Business,” and at the same time, anything but risky business.
Source / Photos: Barrett Jackson
Written By: Eric Becker / Barrett Jackson
