Description
Offered for sale is an very clean, mechanically strong, first year, 77k original mile 1978 Porsche 911SC Targa finished in Wine Red Metallic, a wonderfully era-specific livery that reads anywhere from Burgundy to Copper depending on the light. A perfect finish for this car’s already vintage styling cues (polished wheel rims, door handles and Targa bar), it’s also beautifully accented by the Cork leather interior, defining an example that evokes early 911 visuals while offering reliable 3.0L mechanicals and superior ride quality. Driven relatively sparingly throughout its 39 years of service, this beautiful example has always been well cared for, garaged and used only in favorable weather, exhibiting no evidence of rust or rust repair with an entirely original undercarriage.
Truly a pleasure to drive, the 3.0L engine starts right up without any smoke and pulls strongly and smoothly through each of the transmission’s gears. The brakes are precise and the car stops as straight as it drives. Living up to Porsche’s legendary handling, the car is joy in the canyons as well as the highway. The drive train is completely original and the car has benefited from recent service including a new distributor, new fuel pump and new CDI unit.
The car’s Wine Red Metallic finish is in good shape, marred only by imperfections that don’t show up in the pictures. With no evidence of any accidents, the body is straight with factory correct panel fits and gaps. The glass and rubber are in great shape and the refinished Fuchs wheels are impeccable and wrapped in nearly new BF Goodrich tires.
The interior is equally as clean. The front seats have been professionally reupholstered in leather and the back seats, carpets and interior panels are in great original condition. The leather wrapped dash has no cracks, showing only minimal warping, the car is fitted with a relatively uncommon A/C option (that blows cold) and the Targa top is in excellent original condition with both locking keys intact. Also included are the car’s original owner’s and shop manuals, as well as the original tool kit.
Intended to extend the 911 line through its planned cessation in 1981, the 911SC was introduced in 1978 with only slight aesthetic changes to the 911’s previous incarnation. That said, under the hood it was much different, sporting the 3.0L engine upon which Porsche would build its “bulletproof” reputation for reliability. The 911SC was the most tractable and civilized 911 ever, but that’s not to say that it gave up any performance, rocketing from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, times comparable to 911 variants all the way through the 1990’s. In fact, the 911SC was so popular with the public and so successful for Porsche, that they scrapped their plans of ending the 911 model line, and consequently many Porsche enthusiasts regard the SC as the savior of the iconic model and, by extension, the company.
At 39 years old, this 911SC offers the best of both worlds: an appreciating, charmingly vintage model that’s still modern enough to drive comfortably and reliably. With only 77k miles, this “bulletproof” 3.0L engine is sure to provide years of further trusty service and enjoyment. If you’ve been looking for a clean, low mileage, rust-free 911SC, this first year Targa deserves your serious consideration.
