Lot Ended
Description
Only
1,600 miles since top end rebuild; vast history file from new; recent new clutch
kit, stainless steel exhaust and Yokohama tyres; flat engine lid included; a
pampered example of this air-cooled icon
By the
mid-1970s the 911 had already been on sale for 15 years and Porsche had decided
that a replacement model was long overdue. Unveiled at the Frankfurt Show in
September 1977, the 911 SC was thus seen by the Stuttgart firm as the swansong
of this iconic rear-engined, air-cooled sportscar before it was replaced by the
radically different 928 with its front-mounted, water-cooled V8. How wrong they
turned out to be.
Available
in either Coupe or Targa forms, the new SC proved such a success and so
reignited Porsche’s enthusiasm for their howling flat-six that the
911 has remained in production to this day – although the modern
water-cooled versions are in many ways a far cry from the air-cooled warriors of
old.
Essentially
the new SC was very similar to the previous Carrera 3.0 with the same basic
specifications, styling, and features, sharing the same 2,993cc engine as the
brutal Turbo model but with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and no turbocharger.
Power was up slightly from the previous 2.7 model, and a flatter torque curve
made the car much easier to drive.
In 1980
the SC's engine received modifications increasing the power to 188bhp while
improving fuel economy by 10 percent. Driving through a 5-speed manual gearbox,
the 1979 SC could sprint to 60 in just six seconds on its way to a top speed of
142mph with a fabulous mechanical wail from the flat-six engine. Further
improvements in 1981 pushed the power up to 204bhp making it good for 145mph
with the 0-60 dash coming up in 5.7 seconds. Simple, quick and bullet-proof, the
SC is widely regarded as one of the most user-friendly of all the 911 range and
good ones have become ever-more valuable and sought-after.
As
the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity confirms, this 911 SC Targa was built in
February 1983 finished in Ruby Red Metallic with grey leatherette seats and
beige inserts. Options included Fuchs forged alloy wheels, rear wiper, white fog
lights, electric aerial, three speakers, black rubber front and rear spoilers,
Sport shock absorbers and green tinted glass. It was supplied new via Roger
Clark Cars of Narborough in April 1983.
The
V5C records seven former keepers but it is actually only five due to address and
number plate changes, all recorded in documents on file. It comes with a vast
history file from new which will take the new owner many hours to digest,
including many invoices and over 20 old MOTs.
It
has covered c.143,800 miles with a documented
speedo change at 86,740 miles in 1989, the odometer currently showing 57,068
miles. Always well-maintained, there are at least 25 stamps in the two service
books plus receipts for at least another six services, giving an average service
interval of under 5,000 miles.
Our vendor
acquired the car in June 2021 and has continued to look after it well with
numerous invoices for regular upkeep. These include a new stainless steel
exhaust and heat exchanger in April 2023 which cost £1,372. In July 2023 the top
end of the engine was fully rebuilt by AMS Porsche of Kimpton which included new
piston rings, new valve guides, new three-piece clutch kit etc, the bill for
this lot coming to £7,479 and the car has only covered 1,600 miles since. Other
recent expenditure includes a gearbox oil change and a new set of Yokohama
tyres. The brake fluid and the engine oil were renewed just before the auction.
Currently fitted with the iconic 1980’s Turbo ‘whale
tail’, a more understated flat engine lid and vent grille plus rear wiper are
also included if the new owner wishes to fit them. A modern Pioneer CD/radio is
also fitted, along with additional power sockets for sat nav etc. The original
owner’s handbook is also present along with the original tool roll and two sets
of keys. Although it no longer needs one, it has an MOT until July 2025 with no
advisories recorded.
As you can see
in the photos, this impressively maintained SC Targa looks most attractive and,
following the recent top end rebuild, it should be good for many more years of
faithful service. Driven some 50 miles to the sale, it has been starting
promptly and running sweetly as we have moved it around on
site.
Given
the way that values of the air-cooled 911 have rocketed in recent times (with
early cars now well into six figures), this pampered SC looks like a canny buy
at the sensible guide price suggested.
For
more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email
james.dennison@brightwells.com
* All charges are subject to VAT