1978 Porsche 911SC Coupe

Description

Porsche’s 911 is an automotive icon, the most readily identifiable sports car on the planet and still going strong more than five decades on. Arguably the last of the classic early 911 models is the SC built between 1978 and 1983, devoid of the electronic aids and gizmos that increasingly found their way into Porsche’s finest driver’s car through the remainder of the 1980s and beyond. Mechanically robust, the 911 SC benefited from a Thyssenn zinc-coated galvanised bodyshell that significantly reduced the risk of rust and excellent build quality. Initially sold in both coupe and targa form, the SC’s bodywork was updated with fixed rear quarter lights, anodized black door handles and window frames, plus headlamp bezels finished in body colour for a more modern appearance. The 3-litre engine had a small drop in power (to 180 bhp) but new camshafts resulted in a flatter torque curve and a more flexible driving experience, while a new crankshaft and bigger main and big-end bearings improved mechanical longevity. ATS 15-inch alloys remained the standard wheel rim on the SC, with 16-inch forged alloy Fuchs optional, while other mechanical improvements included anti-roll bars fitted both front and rear. The braking system was upgraded with the adoption of a servo as standard and a five-speed 915 gearbox was also standardised across the model range, with the Sportomatic semi-automatic transmission once again optional. The interior came in for some revision as well, with electric windows and air conditioning added as standard equipment. The 911SC represents some of the best value to wear the famous Zuffenhausen badge and to quote a recent report in the magazine Octane, “Find a good one and you will have a dream sports car, not an extravagant nightmare. Buy one before everybody else wakes up”.