﹒Offered with its original Fuchs wheels
﹒Porsche GB Certificate of Authenticity
﹒Matching numbers example
﹒Outstanding bodywork in bright Guards Red
﹒Huge history file
﹒Full mechanical overhaul with many new parts

There are few classics which carry so much emotive weight as the late-1970s/early-1980s Porsche 911. The archetypal look was the Guards Red body with the black interior, preferably with a whale-tail; a sublimely crafted bridge between the 1960s classic profile and the (then) modern-era road-racers. Posters of 930 Turbos adorned many a bedroom wall, and the mystique has endured across the generations.

The car you see here is a rare thing indeed – a 911 SC, the letters standing for ‘Super Carrera’. Using the wider body of the Carrera, this model was powered by the 3.0-litre flat-six, which received model-year power hikes; this car, being a later example, is rated at 204bhp. It was also possible to factory-option the whale-tail spoiler from the Turbo model, and the ensuing spec adds up to a remarkable package: stylish, rapid, comfortable, agile, and increasingly collectible. With certificates of authentication from Porsche GB, the owner is informed that there are only four SCs like this left…

The current owner is something of a 911 aficionado, having owned a matching pair of 1980s 911s until very recently. This SC was acquired on June 5th 2011, and has covered very few miles since. 

During his nine years of ownership, he has been focused and uncompromising in the pursuit of perfection, having spent eye-watering sums of money with Design 911 and assorted other specialists to get the mechanicals of the car absolutely spot-on. It’s all documented in the paperwork, this is a 911 which wants for nothing and is ready to enjoy. It's the kind of collector-grade car, he tells us, that people buy and tuck away in the garage – and checking through the MOT history, his ownership bears this out: it’s only done a handful of miles each year. Of course, this can be largely explained by the fact that much of this time was spent restoring, refurbishing and rejuvenating the car – and don’t go thinking it’s an art piece. This 911 is mechanically outstanding and ready to be used and enjoyed as Porsche intended.

There’s a large and comprehensive file of paperwork to accompany the 911. Crucially we find a certificate of authentication from Porsche GB which outlines the engine and transmission numbers, the original spec options, and even the dealer that supplied it. There are two service books, one of which is stamped ‘REPLACEMENT’ – the reason being that the original one was once lost and an official replacement reissued, but then the original was found again. Between the two, it’s possible to chart the car’s service history right back to the start, always being carried out by specialists.

As demonstrated in the photos, there are many recent receipts outlining a large amount of money having been spent on the 911; similarly, there are numerous receipts and invoices from previous keepers, all proving that this has always been a cherished car maintained with a no-expense-spared approach.

All of the original books and manuals are present, as well as a sheaf of old MOTs. It’s worth noting that while the car’s mileage currently reads 66,807, we can see from the MOT history that it must have received a replacement speedo in 1995 or ’96, when the readings drop year-on-year from 129,163 to 37,220 – so if we subtract the latter figure from the current one and add it to the original, we can assume the true mileage to be in the region of 158,000.

The interior of a classic-era 911 is a wonderful place to be, and this car is no exception. The seats are comfortable and supportive, the sunroof works as it should and so do the windows, and all the trim is in good condition: the carpets, the headlining, the seat trim, it’s all excellent. The only minor blemish is the fact that a previous owner evidently once tried to fit a rear child seat, which involved cutting a couple of small holes in the rear shelf on one side.

The dials have been refurbished and refitted and their bulbs renewed, and the period-correct Blaupunkt radio-cassette has been serviced and works perfectly – as does the electric aerial.
The certification states that this car was originally supplied in 1983 with seats trimmed in black leatherette with grey Berber cloth inserts, and you’ll spot that it’s now fitted with a black leather interior. The reason for this is that when the current owner bought the 911, it was fitted with incorrect later-model front seats, so he replaced it with these period-appropriate ones. The steering wheel is an aftermarket item, but the original wheel is also available.

Under the bonnet, we find the original jack tucked away in its front-mount hidey-hole, as well as a new battery. We also find the original tool roll, and it’s pleasing to note that the under-bonnet courtesy light works.

The bodywork is outstanding; every panel is free from dents, dings or chips, and they all fit just as they ought to with lovely even shut-lines. The Guards Red paint has a beautiful lustre to it with no sign of fading – testament to the fact that it spends most of its time tucked away in the garage, having been repainted and clear-coated. The wheels are 17” 964 Cup items in a gloss black finish with tasteful Porsche logos, shod with almost-unused Goodyear Eagle F1s. Very kindly the owner had decided to include the car’s original Fuchs alloys, also fitted with good tyres and photos of which can be found in this listing. The rear lights are all new, including all bulbs and wiring with heat proof protection.

The original-equipment optional whale-tail spoiler is present, the impact bumpers are unmarked, and everything is beautifully presented – not just outside, but in the door shuts, the engine bay, everywhere. It really is remarkably clean; no corrosion, no patination, everything as you’d hope it to be.

The mechanicals of this 911 are very impressive indeed. During his ownership, the seller has had the engine and gearbox out for a full refurbishment, and the extent of the work to the drivetrain and chassis is huge and – of course – fastidiously documented. The gearbox was refurbished with new syncros, and the engine has been fully serviced and received all new tinware. All nuts, bolts, screws and washers have been renewed throughout the car, all parts removed have been shot-blasted and powder-coated before refitting, and the suspension (which was refurbished and repainted) is fitted with Superpro polybushes. The steering rack has been refurbished with new Turbo tie-rods and gaiters, and the driveshafts were refurbed with all new fittings, bolts and proper greasing. The exhaust heat exchangers are new, as are all associated hoses and pipes for heater and fan. Further new parts include the brake callipers and hubs, oil sensor and cables, suspension brackets, sports exhaust, clutch and bearing, plugs and leads, fluids, and plenty more besides. There’s been a huge amount of work put into finessing what was an already great car, and now it’s all been done. Arguably better than new, it’s ready to enjoy.

(And don’t be concerned by the wooden chock behind the rear wheel in the photos – the handbrake works perfectly; the owner just prefers not to use it to save wear and tear, as the car always lives in the garage.)

A Guards Red 911 with a whale-tail is a hugely desirable thing, and while there are a handful on the UK market, it’d be very hard to find one that’s quite as mechanically impressive as this one. The visuals are absolutely on-point, as the photos show – that fresh paint is glorious, and the bodywork is all as straight as an arrow. The way it sits on those Cup wheels really is a sight to behold, although of course a purist could always refit the original Fuchs. But what’s most impressive is that all the bits you can’t see are just as impressive as the bits you can: looking underneath this car, and into the engine bay, it’s remarkable how clean it all is. 

There’s been an enormous amount of work put into this 911, using all official and correct parts, and now the whole to-do list has been completed. There’s nothing for the new owner to do but simply enjoy using this almost as-new SC. And when you factor in the rarity of this particular spec level, the package becomes even more desirable.