Highlights

Superbly presented ‘triple black’ cabriolet in wonderful condition
Very rare factory hard top makes this a versatile 911
Early cabriolet with wide Carrera body
Later all-aluminium 3litre engine
Recently imported from California, the sunshine state, with all duties paid
Ready to be UK registered which the vendor will assist with
Left Hand Drive

The Appeal

A sports car icon like no other, the original air-cooled 911 showed that finding a different way to do things often meant finding a better way. The SC ‘Super Carrera’ got the wider body of the Carrera and an all-aluminium version of the classic 911 flat six.

The Cabriolet was introduced in early 1983, adding open top style to the distinctive 911 silhouette. With 180bhp on tap in USA versions, this was a car that looked as good as it went.

This car is one of the first cabriolets built. Finished in rare and desirable ‘triple black’ - black roof, bodywork and interior - it has recently been imported to the UK and has a thick history file attesting to careful ownership. The vendor has just spent close to £3,000 getting it absolutely right for sale.

It looks extremely good and surely the perfect way to discover the multifold charms of the classic 911 as summer beckons. This looks like an opportunity not to miss.

The History and Paperwork

Porsche certificate of authenticity included
Factory handbooks, tools, jack and tonneau cover included
VIN records confirm that this is a 1983 3litre 6cyl 911 US market cabriolet, possibly the 534th of 4,214 built
Interior refurbished to very closely match the factory specification

Service records dating back to the 1990s include:

Evidence of regular servicing in 2016, 2017, 2021 and most recently June 2023
Engine overhaul in March 2015 at a cost of $3,285
Compression test in 2021 showing excellent and consistent compression across all cylinders
Four wheel alignment in 2015 and CDI unit rebuilt in same year
Oil cooler thermostat replaced as well as attention to other ancillaries in 2015
New OEM fuel pump and fuel filter fitted in 2014 plus new rotor and distributor cap and service items

Recent work for sale includes the following by Porsche specialist RGA:

Full service and replace all four shock absorbers at a cost of £2,200
Fit new electric window motor and replace plastic door sheeting and attend to brakes at cost of £624

The SC was introduced in 1978 with an all-aluminium version of the air cooled 3litre engine that was designed to improve the reliability of the case. This engine was progressively increased in power with 1981 to 1983 model year cars getting more powerful versions.

The Cabriolet was announced in late 1982 with production beginning in early 1983. Chassis records indicate that this is an early cabriolet, one of less than 4,250 built.

The car was sold new into the USA and recently imported to the UK by the seller with all duties paid. It most recently spent six years in California and retains that state’s emissions restrictors and still has a valid smog test certificate from the state.

The Interior

Very attractive and well preserved interior showing barely any signs of wear
Very high quality Porsche fixtures and fittings likely contribute to the limited signs of use
Retrimmed black leather seats carefully trimmed to very closely match the stitching and patterns of the original factory seats
Two small rear seats that have either been retrimmed or are in excellent original condition
Attractive Nardi wooden gear knob with original Porsche factory knob also with the car
Stylish VDO gauges arranged in classic 911 fashion in superb condition
Face-off NIKKAI quality sound system with USB and bluetooth options
Original factory cassette storage system in excellent condition
Nice nod to this car’s inter-continental history in the dashboard with a Laguna Seca raceway sticker
Equipped with cruise control and air conditioning although we are told that the a/c has been disconnected

The Porsche 911 interior has to be one of the most wonderful of any car. It manages to appear somehow undesigned and yet be so influential that it continues to inform the look of all Porsche interiors to this day.

This car was tastefully specified by its original in ‘triple black’ so has an all-black interior which only serves to highlight the efficiency and simplicity of the sweep of VDO dials. It is in very good condition, with barely any visible use for what is now a 40 year old car.

The seats have been carefully retrimmed to exact or very close factory specification, something that many trimmers fail to achieve. The rear seats are in similar condition, either through being retrimmed or lack of use. The door cards continue the impression of quality.

The only deviations from standard are the high quality NIKKAI stereo and an attractive wooden NARDI gear knob - the original factory item is also supplied with the car. The car is equipped with cruise control and air conditioning but we understand that the a/c has been disconnected.

The soft top headlining has been recently replaced and is in a similar condition to the rest of the interior.

The Exterior

Factory black paintwork that appears to be original and in excellent condition
The SC got the wider, more purposeful Carrera body from 1978
Full factory-built cabriolet with fabric roof in excellent condition with deep black colour
Very rare factory hard top converts this stylish car into the classic coupe profile, complete with quarter lights
Hard top headlining has recently been repaired
Dry sunny California climate means that this car is very solid with no visible bodywork or structural deterioration
The vendor says that the paintwork would respond to a professional polish but the photographs suggest this would improve it rather than be essential
Lovely factory-supplied Fuchs 5spoke painted alloys with polished rims in superb condition
Dunlop tyres fitted all round
One electric window motor recently replaced, including refitting factory-supplied plastic door sheet

The wider Carrera body style of the SC gives the delicate 911 shape more purpose, something that the black paintwork of this 1983 cabriolet certainly leans into. Sitting on body colour Fuchs 5 spoke alloys with polished rim it is an impressive looking car that belies its 40 years.

The paintwork appears to be original and in very good condition, with no visible signs of deterioration. The vendor says that the car would respond to a professional polish but the photographs indicate that this would merely improve the look rather than be essential.

The black fabric roof retains its deep lustre and there are no obvious signs of deterioration. There is also a tonneau cover supplied with the car.

This car’s piece de resistance is, of course, that ultra rare hardtop. Rarely seen on a 911 cabriolet it enables owners to revisit the silhouette of the coupe and even has rear quarter lights. It is body colour with refreshed headlining and we understand that it is in very good condition.

The lovely Fuchs alloys are equipped with quality Dunlop tyres. Body colour with polished rims they are unmarked.

One of the window mechanisms was recently replaced by RGA, a London Porsche specialist. It is an indication of the vendor’s attention to detail that a factory-supplied plastic sheet was sourced to refit into the door during reassembly.

The Mechanics

3litre flat six all-aluminium 180bhp engine
5spd manual gearbox
Engine compression tested in 2021, results in photographs, with even results across all cylinders
Extensive service history dating back to the 1990s
Recent expenditure of just under £3,000 on brakes, servicing and shock absorbers by RGA, a London Porsche specialist
New shock absorbers in June 2023
Service work in June 2023 included oil, points, plugs and gearbox fluids
Two seized callipers recently replaced
Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system
Switch to all-aluminium construction for the SC improved the engine’s durability
Engine overhauled in March 2015 at a cost of $3,285
Retains its California smog certificate
Californian emissions restrictors still fitted
Not yet UK registered but the vendor can arrange this as required

The 1983 911 hits a particular sweet spot in the development of Porsche’s naturally aspirated engine. The switch to all-aluminium construction made the 3litre flat six engine more durable plus USA versions got a useful 180bhp.

This car has a vast leather-bound history file attesting to fastidious ownership. The records date back to the 1990s but more recently have included an engine overhaul costing several thousand dollars in 2015 plus significant investment in successive years.

The vendor has recently spent over £2,800 on mechanical improvements including a full service in June 2023 covering oil, points, plugs and gearbox fluids, as well work to rectify seized callipers and fit four new shock absorbers.

This car was recently imported to the UK from California - all duties have been paid - and is ready to be UK registered. It still carries a state smog certificate and its Californian emissions restrictors.

Summary

The air-cooled 911 was gradually improved throughout its life and while enthusiasts have their individual preferences, the 1983 model year feels like a particular sweet spot. The launch of the cabriolet, the wide body SC aesthetics and the more durable all-aluminium 3litre motor offer many reasons to buy into one of these superb cars.

This ‘triple black’ SC cabriolet looks very tempting indeed. Its cabin, with its high quality retrim, looks very inviting and the thick history with recent investment offer peace of mind. Then there’s that factory hard top to add extra versatility. We’re tempted and we’re sure you will be too.

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