Highlights

Ownership and service history from new
Rare UK-only Sport Group package
Engine rebuilt in 2000
Extensive bodywork restoration undertaken in 2014
£4000 spent since June 2021
MoT until June 2023
£1,400 retro-style brand-new Blaupunkt Bremen radio fitted

The Appeal

There are few cars as enduringly popular as the Porsche 911. Introduced in 1963 and still going strong, its clean design and rear-mounted, air-cooled flat-six engine won it legions of fans who appreciated its unconventional but clever engineering. The fact that it continues in production today, still rear-engined and still possessed of the same streamlined profile, is why it has come to be regarded as a landmark in motoring history.

Of course, there’s no consensus as to which era yielded the best 911s. Some consider the early 1960s cars to have been the best-looking, but others appreciate that the newer ones are faster, more advanced and more owner-friendly. To many, the 1980s models offer the best of both worlds: styling which is true to the original 1960s design, but technology which lives up to modern-day expectations.

The 911 SC was made from 1978 to 1983 as the standard 911, opposite the Turbo model with the famous ‘whale tail’. Originally detuned to meet Americans emissions regulations, the 180bhp it produced at launch had been increased to a livelier 201bhp for 1981. The popularity of the SC was instrumental in guaranteeing the 911’s longevity. At the time, Porsche was looking to replace the 911 with the 928, but the market said otherwise: 59,000 SCs found buyers, and Porsche got the message that, 20 years old or not, the 911 was still a much-loved enthusiast’s car.

This 911 is a fine example. It’s close to immaculate following bodywork restoration in 2014, and it’s said to be absolutely on song mechanically following assessment by an experienced Porsche mechanic. As a later SC, it benefits from the 201bhp engine, so it’s sure to live up to all one’s expectations of a 911. Perhaps the best bit for seasoned Porsche enthusiasts, though, is the rare Sport Group Package, a UK-only option which dresses it up to resemble a Turbo model.

The History and Paperwork

Originally sold through Motortune Ltd. at 250 Brompton Road, London SW3
Fitted from new with the following extras: Sport Group Package, leather sports seats, headlight washers, tinted electric windows, electric sunroof, rectangular front foglights and metallic paint
Delivered on 20th May 1982 to Michael Jenkins of Highgate and owned until 6th December 1985
Other early owners include John Green of Ewhurst, Surrey, (1985-1986) and Otto Lam of Ealing (1986-1989)
Consistently maintained since 1990, with engine rebuilt in 2000 and bodywork restored in 2014
Dry-stored in south of France from c2005-2014
Purchased by the 10th and present owner in 2021
Sold with the current V5, the original 911 Driver’s Manual and Maintenance Record, a full record of ownership, and a large collection of documents dating back to 1989 including MoT certificates and numerous invoices

The Interior

Correct to original specification with Dark Blue leather and matching Dark Blue velour carpets
Leather upholstery in excellent condition with attractive light patina
Front seats retrimmed in 2000
Brand-new carpets fitted in 2021

Where to start with this? It’s all in such beautiful condition… The seats stand out as being especially good. The Dark Blue leather of the front seats, retrimmed in 2000, has had time to mature, mellow and acquire a very light patina, which is most pleasing to the eye. Apart from one or two isolated marks in out-of-the-way places and a slight tear in one panel of the passenger seat, it looks to be free from blemishes.

The carpets look like brand-new because they virtually are. They were purchased as new items in 2021 from Southbound Porsche trim specialists. The headlining is very nice and appears to be original, showing some attractive patina in places. The doors, equally, are wonderful, with only the slightest evidence of wear to some of the trim items.

The condition of the dash and centre console is, again, delightful. We did not see anything in the way of wear of which to speak, just a charming veneer of patina consistent with the rest of the interior. There may be a light mark or superficial blemish here or there but, all in all, it’s condition is as good as anyone could expect at 40 years old.

It is worth dwelling on some of the appealing little extras with which this car was fitted when new; it’s by no means a bare-bones sports car, and comes pretty close to stepping into luxury grand-tourer territory. Tinted power windows and an electric sunroof are welcome additions, and the original heater/air-conditioning unit is present. A brand-new Blaupunkt Bremen radio (manual included) has been fitted along with new speakers.

Lifting the bonnet reveals a clean and well-presented carpeted luggage space, under which is kept an original spare wheel.

The Bodywork

Presented in its original colour of Zinc Metallic
UK-only Sport Group package (rear spoiler, rubber front lip and black Fuchs wheels)
Excellent condition following 2014 bodywork restoration
Further refurbishment undertaken in 2021

With the autumnal sunlight falling onto it, the Porsche’s Zinc Metallic paint takes on a soft glow, giving it a sort of elegance not typically possessed by raucous sports cars with enormous spoilers. It really is an alluring sight, and closer inspection does not disappoint. All over, the car is in absolutely superb condition.

This is no surprise as it was cosmetically restored to an extremely high standard in 2014 by Volkswagen specialist Dub Works, the work reaching a total cost of £6350. Prior to that, it had not been in bad shape, but it nevertheless received new inner and outer sills, inner wings, door surrounds and jacking points. Any corroded areas were replaced with all-new metal panels, and then the whole car was repainted in its original colour.

Eight years later, the restoration has lasted very well. There is, unfortunately, a very small instance of paint damage on the rear offside wheel arch, but at first glance (and indeed second, third and fourth glances), it could be taken for an immaculate, freshly restored car. There are a few other slight blemishes in areas where one perhaps expects to find them, where the bumpers join the front and rear valances, but we don’t think anyone needs to worry about them.

The exterior trim is mainly plastic, and is in excellent condition. It is extremely difficult to fault, although we did spot a mild scrape on the nearside corner of the rear bumper, and a slight split in one of the rear over-riders. The bumpers have benefitted greatly from some recent cosmetic refurbishment, though, with new bumper bellows and seals purchased last year from Design 911 in the Netherlands.

The wheels are in fantastic condition. Along with the prominent spoiler borrowed from the 911 Turbo and the rubber front lip, the black 16-inch Fuchs are an identifying mark of the UK-only Sport Group Package. We would imagine they were repainted with everything else in 2014, and consequently they make a very handsome feature.

The Mechanics

Sport Group Package includes stiffer suspension
Engine rebuilt 2000
Extensive record of works completed back to 1990s
Comprehensively serviced in 2021
MoT with no advisories until June 2023

When we inspected the Porsche, we were pleased to see it fire up readily for us, in spite of near-freezing conditions on the day. It had a steady, even idle, pulled away willingly, stopped sharply, and steered with the greatest ease. As part of the Sport Group Package, it has stiffened suspension. Truth be told, on such a lovely morning, we had a hard time concentrating on the job at hand when we would have loved nothing more than to take the 911 onto the twisting roads of the frost-covered Surrey Hills…

Still, our brief driving impressions were completely favourable, and we’re not alone. The Porsche has been MoTed almost every year since 2015 without picking up a single advisory, and its current spotless MoT is valid to June 2023, though bidders might note that, since it turned 40 this year, it has just become MoT-exempt and tax-free.

The service record shows that it received regular servicing through the 1980s and ’90s, and invoices show that between 1995 and 2001, it received extensive attention from Camtune Motor Sport and German Automotion. A list of works completed between 2000 (at 117,566 miles) and 2003 (at 144,936 miles) is as follows:

October 2000: engine rebuilt, new clutch fitted
March 2001: new fuel pump
April 2001: brakes overhauled
2001/2002: driveshafts replaced
April 2002: new track rod ends
July 2002: new oil tank, oil cooler and exhaust
February 2003: cam timing reset
April 2003: new anti-roll bar links
November 2003: new heat exchangers

Paperwork suggests the odometer reading of 158,500 miles is genuine, and shows that in recent years it has received fairly light use. Indeed, the Porsche was off the road for nine of the 10 years it spent in France from 2005 to 2014.

In the present ownership, the Porsche has received plenty of careful attention courtesy of a well-known Porsche mechanic of over 30 years’ experience. In 2021 it received a comprehensive service and in June 2022 its gearbox oil was changed, its driveshafts and rear wheel bearings were checked, new rear brake discs and pads were fitted, and the rear brake callipers were refurbished with new seals.

The Summary

The Porsche 911 SC seems to be as popular today as it was when new, and it’s not hard to see why. It retains the same beautiful shape as the original 911, but provides a much more modern driving experience. As a consequence, spares availability and club support is almost unrivalled, and it amounts to a very practical sports car which can realistically be used every day.

This 911 is special for a number of reasons, with the desirable Sport Group Package, ownership history from new and a comprehensive record of the extensive works undertaken to keep it looking more or less immaculate. It’s unusual to find a 40-year-old car which has been meticulously cared for by almost all of its owners, but here’s just such a car: a thoroughly correct, unmolested survivor which is just begging to be driven.

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.*

A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.

All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.