Highlights
- Smart-looking and largely unmolested 911
- Recent invoices for more than £10, 000
- Impressive history file
The Appeal
In 1978, when Porsche unveiled the 911 SC, the air-cooled sports car from Stuttgart had already been a legend for some 15 years. The 911 SC’s arrival was significant as it streamlined the previously somewhat confusing range of 911s into one single model: if you wanted to buy a normally aspirated 911 in the late 1970s or early 1980s it had to be an SC. To create this one new model, Porsche took the bare bones of the previously range-topping Carrera 3.0, rejigged the 2994cc engine and fitted a cheaper aluminium rather than magnesium crankcase, while the impact-bumper bodyshell and interior remained largely unchanged.
To Porsche purists, the air-cooled 911s are still the cars to have and the SC has enjoyed something of a renaissance in recent years, with tidy and unmodified examples increasingly hard to come by.
This left-hooker SC was supplied new to California in 1978 and came to the UK in 2001. In recent years it has been subject to a lot of very expensive refurbishment, and consequently looks and drives much better than its age might suggest.
The History and Paperwork
- Certificate of authenticity from Porsche
- Thick folder of paperwork
- Numerous recent invoices
- Sold new to California
- First UK registration in 2001
- Original owner’s manual
- Original service record
- MoT- and tax-exempt
- Past MoT certificates
- Two keys
The certificate of authenticity in the car’s paperwork from Porsche Great Britain verifies that this 911 SC was manufactured in September 1978 and other paperwork records that it was delivered to Veale Porsche in Santa Rosa, California in January 1979.
The folder of paperwork includes a number of invoices for significant expenditure, including more than £10,000 spent in 2021 at Norfolk specialists DNB Mechanical Services.
The vendor bought the car at auction in September 2022; a lifelong Porsche enthusiast, he was drawn to the car’s originality and maintenance history. However, he has now done a deal to buy another car and has to free up some garage space.
The V5 records that the ERC 640 T registration is non-transferable.
The Interior
- Brown leather seats retrimmed in 2017 using Porsche hides
- Rear ‘+2’ seats
- Matching brown carpets and branded overmats
- Electric sunroof
- Electric windows
- Refurbished gauges
- DAB and Bluetooth stereo with period-look fascia
- As-new tyre inflator
Open the doors and it’s clear that the interior is largely original, and even things that have been replaced have been done sympathetically – the car’s smart brown leather seats being an example, having been retrimmed in 2017 but looking like original items.
The carpets in the front footwells have been protected by branded overmats, the one in the driver’s footwell showing signs of its age.
Invoices in the paperwork record that the speedometer, fuel gauge and oil-level gauge were all refurbished in 2021. The paperwork also reports that a previous owner had the (notoriously poor) air-conditioning taken out, partly to improve both performance and fuel consumption, as well as removing any performance-limiting items that were required, even in 1978, to meet California’s draconian emissions legislation.
Although the stereo looks to be a period item it is actually a modern unit, with DAB radio and a USB socket.
The electric windows and sunroof all function as they should.
In the front luggage compartment is a clean grey liner, and beneath this is a space-saver spare wheel in excellent condition. Also supplied is a Porsche tyre inflator in ‘as-new’ condition.
The Exterior
- Iconic 911 profile
- ‘Cirrus White’ paintwork looks superb
- Fuchs alloy wheels in excellent condition
- European-spec rear bumper fitted to replace US-spec one
- Headlamps and lenses converted to RHD European specification
- very clean underside
The extensive paperwork records that, as well as being supplied new to rust-free California, previous UK owners (including the vendor) have kept the car garaged, and its remarkably rust-free bodywork would seem to bear this out. The cream paintwork (actually ‘Cirrus White’) looks great, and the badges and brightwork are all in excellent condition, the headlamps are clear with no corrosion or cracks, and overall the car’s appearance belies its age and mileage, testament to the considerable sums spent by previous owners to keep it looking and running well.
The Mechanics
- 3-litre air-cooled engine
- Five-speed 915 gearbox
- Engine, clutch and gearbox rebuild at 176k miles
- New knuckle joint in gearbox
- Engine bay in good order
- Dry Engine and all gaskets secure
- No oil leaks
The 911 SC’s engine is renowned for its robustness and longevity, and the paperwork here suggests that the engine was rebuilt at around 176, 000 miles, so the indicated mileage shouldn’t deter a potential new owner.
When the vendor was moving the car around for our photo shoot, it was clear that it starts on first turn of the key, it idles beautifully and the engine runs with that distinctive hum that marks out the air-cooled 911.
The vendor has had work done by a Porsche specialist to correct a slight difficulty in selecting fifth gear that was present when he purchased the car, with the fitting of a new knuckle joint in the gearbox.
In the engine bay, there’s further evidence of the car and attention with which the car has been looked after; everything is clean and well-ordered. Similarly, underneath the car its Californian early life and subsequent indoor storage account for the lack of corrosion.
Summary
There are good reasons why the 911 has been an ever-present in the Porsche line-up since 1964. The basic premise – a high-performance, rear-engined sports car – has remained the same throughout, and the car is a genuine automotive icon.
For Porsche aficionados, the air-cooled cars remain the purest expression of the concept and here we have a classic 911 SC that has had a lot of love and attention, at considerable expense, yet which retains its originality.
Notice to bidders
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
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