Introduced in 1964, the 911 is regarded by many as the ultimate expression of the sports car. In 1978, the 911 SC (Super Carrera) took the place of the 911 and Carrera models, reducing the 911 model range to just two and went on to sell almost 59,000 cars.

Although it’s now water-cooled and a vastly different car to the original, it continues to be one of the most popular sports cars on sale today.

Purchased from Porsche Cars GB in 1979, the first owner of this car was a diplomat who loved the car so much that, when he was assigned to Canada in 1980, he exported the car there. The original order included a number of optional extras including headlight washers, a rear window wiper, sports suspension, a centre console and a 380mm leather steering wheel.

It remained in Canada for some years before being bought by a new owner in the United States, where it stayed until 2015, when it was imported back to the UK. There it stayed until August 2021 when the current owner bought it. The owner is now in the position where the car is no longer being used as much as they feel it should be, so would like to see it move on to someone that will continue to love it and use it as intended.

What’s clear from the paperwork is that it’s always been very well cared for, with copious documentation from throughout the vehicle’s life. This reveals that, since August 2016, it has only covered 4,000 miles.

A large paperwork file comes with the car, including the original handbooks and service book containing three stamps. The last recorded service in the paperwork was carried out by an independent specialist in October 2006, at 56,875 miles. 

All of the HMRC import documentation from 2015 is present and correct, as is the documentation from when the car was exported to Canada. There is also a stack of old MOTs, servicing and maintenance receipts, some previous logbooks and four original keys.

The current V5 is there, as is the latest MOT certificate which is valid until August 2022. Although the car is MOT and road tax exempt, the current owner has kept up the MOT record for peace of mind. One of the most important documents included is an original Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche, produced in 2013 when the car was validated.

Unusually, there is also an “Auto-log” document, detailing the vehicle’s fuel and oil consumption from new in 1979 to 59,413 miles in 2010. This is a very unusual piece of data that gives a great view of the vehicle’s use and history and is something we’ve rarely seen.

As with all 911s of this vintage, the cabin feels really well built and put together. Material quality is very good for a car of this vintage, and all of the switchgear and cabin elements are in very good condition. Everything works as it should, although the electric windows are currently not operational, but the owner has said they will have this issue sorted before the car goes to its new owner. The Alpine radio/cassette system and all of the gauges operate well too, with only the plastic of the fuel/oil gauge being a little cloudy.

Otherwise, everything in the cabin is in very good order. The carpets are all intact and both the front and rear seats are excellent. The original spec Recaro front sports seats are incredibly comfortable and supportive, and with the dark green pinstriped velour inserts, they look fantastic too. There are no tears or damage evident at all and they really are in superb condition. These spec seats in this condition are exceptionally rare indeed!

The under-bonnet storage area is lined with grey carpets in very nice condition, with the original Porsche inflation kit and tool kit present and correct – really quite rare on a vehicle of this age.

We think the exterior specification of this car is perfect for a period 911 Targa. The Grand Prix White paintwork contrasts brilliantly with the anodised black trim. As this is a revised 1979 car, it comes with the body-coloured bumpers with black bellows, body-coloured headlight rings and tail-light panel with black Porsche badge.

The 911SC Targa was also fitted with the wider Carrera body and ‘whale-tail’ rear wing, which really give the car fabulous presence. Complemented with 16” Fuchs wheels, fitted with Bridgestone S.02s, the car has an almost perfect stance. The wheels are in lovely condition too, with the polished barrels and lips contrasting well with the dark grey centres.

As with the cabin, the exterior is in very good condition. All of the trim is present and in good condition, and the paint too looks very good. Obviously, this is a 42 year-old car presented in original, unrestored condition, so there are some minor marks and blemishes in the paint, but nothing that would give us any pause. In fact, with a valet and polish, the entire car would quickly become a show-stopper.

Underneath the car looks extremely clean and solid. The floorpan and chassis appear to be in excellent condition, with no damage or significant corrosion present at all.

The SC benefits from Porsche’s classic 3.0-litre (2,993cc) flat-six, air-cooled aluminium engine, fitted with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and mated to a five-speed 915 manual transmission. In short, this is the drivetrain you want in a classic 911. And it’s in great condition here. It’s been well maintained, and used very little. The sub-66k mileage is genuine and evident in the condition of the car’s mechanical elements.

In 2013 the car received a new heat exchanger, but otherwise the paperwork details lots of standard maintenance and service work, a good indication that the car has not only been loved but is in very good condition.

We’re assured by the owner that the car drives very well – going, steering and stopping just as you’d expect. And with 180bhp pushed to the rear wheels, and that iconic Porsche flat-six burble, it’s certainly an evocative machine.

To say that 70s 911s are desirable is a bit like saying that Apple is “worth a bit”. They’re incredibly sought-after cars, and rightly so. They offer a pure driving experience unlike anything else on the road, in a brilliant package. And in this form, air-cooled, rear-wheel drive and Targa-topped, we think this is the perfect specification. We have to, once again, point out those original sports seats with the pinstriped velour centre sections too. Not only do they look fantastic, but they’re very rare items. A set in this kind of condition would set you back more than £5,000 on their own.

Everything you want from a sports-car is here – Targa roof (so you get a coupe and a convertible in one package), lusty flat-six, and gorgeous Grand Prix White paint over classic Fuchs alloys. It’s like a tick-list of Porsche’s greatest hits. Here it’s presented in a rare, completely unrestored, original condition. So many have been restored, modified or “resto-modded”, that finding a car in such lovely condition is getting more and more difficult.

Whether you’re looking for a special occasion car to enjoy on sunny weekends and to take to shows, or a genuine daily-use classic, you won’t find many cars better than this. It really is that good. Combined with the fact that the value for such vehicles is only going in one direction (which is up, by the way), it makes this delightful little sports-car something of a gem.

These cars have become legendary for a reason – 911s are wonderful things, tactile, grin-inducing and genuinely capable. We can’t think of a reason NOT to buy this car…