Up for sale is this drop dead gorgeous Guards Red on black 1981 Porsche 911 SC Targa "barn find".
I found this car in Houston, exas where it sat in a garage for many years, haring space with a hoarder's collection of random belongings. Shrouded in a good 32nd of an inch of dust, ts targa top sagging under the weight of boxes sitting on top of it and the interior stuffed with bags full of clothing and soft goods. It was dragged out and to our amazement appeared like new inside; perfect seats, arpet, ash and door panels. We cleaned a small area of the front fender to find a deep shiny finish. Of course none of that should be too big of a surprise considering it had less than 55,000 miles on it!
It was trailered to my shop in the Dallas, exas area where the fuel system was restored; tank removed and cleaned; fuel lines including the two hard lines that run through the tunnel from front to back were replaced; fuel filters changed. The muffler was removed and cleaned of the oil that naturally finds its way past the valves on these cars after they sit for years. The plugs were pulled and the heads were filled with my "secret sauce" to seep in over a weekend into the depths of its dormant motor, nsuring that the rotating parts were free to move when it was time to crank it. The engine oil was drained and replaced. New plugs installed, attery connected and wallah! It started right up. As expected it smoked like a fumigator for about five miles until it cleared up and hasn't missed a beat since.
The beauty of an air cooled engine is that there is no water to corrode its internals while it sits for years and years. Ferdinand Porsche had it figured out, emember the scene from Woody Allen's classic Sleeper, here he finds the 200 year old Beetle in the cave and it starts?
This time capsule 911 drives like new. The 3.0 liter air cooled flat six motor pulls strong through the entire rev range and the 915 5-speed transmission shifts flawlessly. The brakes and clutch feel fresh. And of course it steers like only a Porsche can! All of the instruments and lights work, he AC was recharged and blows cold on all fan speeds. The old aftermarket Nakamichi Cassette player was swapped for a newer Blaupunkt CD unit with aux port. There is an amp and period correct audiophile ADS door speakers that sound great. The interior appears as new, ot a flaw on the black leather seats. Door panels and side pockets are perfect. Window lifts smooth and quick, lass is all perfect. The dry rotted tires were replaced with new Bridgestone Potenzas. The Fuchs 5 spokes look great. Unfortunately the tool kit is not complete and the compressor is lost.
The targa top was repaired and now fits properly, ll tight and dry; its outside cover and headliner are flawless. The car was professionally buffed and polished. The extent of imperfection on the body are for the most part garage mishaps that appear to have been made by a falling box or such. There is a ding on the driver's side mirror. There is a pair of dimples on the rear deck lid where it appears a tool was left under it when it was dropped closed. There is no rust or signs of corrosion anywhere
The strengths of this car are self evident; it is a 1981 Porsche with only 55.000 miles! But in my mind the strongest aspect of this car is in the driving experience. Classic Porsche 911's have always possessed the capacity to connect car and driver like no other and this one is simply exceptional at it. Under foot and in hand, 911 is the most rewarding implement on road or track. To me the most impressive feedback and control comes from the steering wheel. Of all the iterations of the 911, he '78-'88 SC and 3.2 Carrera are arguably the most satisfying from a tactile standpoint. They were a big step up from the pre '78 models in both power and grip but were still more raw than the 964 and 993 to follow in that they were yet to be equipped with power assisted steering. Having owned the SC, 993 and a 996 all of which exhibit awesome steering control, he steering feel nod goes to the unassisted car presented here
The 911sc was introduced in 1978 with a 180hp 3.0 motor with mechanical fuel injection coupled to the 5-speed 915 transmission. In 1981 the power rose to 208hp. In 1984 it was renamed the Carrera and the driveline and brakes were updated, ut the body chassis and suspension remained mostly the same. The engine displacement was bumped to 3.2 and in 1987 the tranny advanced to the G50 Getrag 5-speed. There is a lot of debate about the superiority of the G50. It was indeed smoother and had a hydraulic clutch as opposed to the mechanical linkage of the 915. To me however, he charm of the 911sc is the raw mechanical nature and the connection it makes to me as the driver. All Porsches have excessively long shifter throws, ut they also have gobs of low end torque so speed shifting doesn’t really gain anything. “Learning” how to row through the clunky action of the 915 is one of the great joys of owning this car
Air cooled Porsches are about as safe an investment that a car enthusiast can make. Year after year they have made steady if not remarkable appreciation. These late '70 and '80's examples made the upturn from used cars long ago and even high milers are sought after. The cliche that there are no old Porsches just new Porsche owners has always held true.
This car is located in the Dallas, exas (75088) area. Inspections are welcome by appointment prior to the end of theauction, lease ask all your questions before bidding. As it is for sale locally I reserve the right to end the auction per ebay policy. The car is sold as is where is no warranty implied or otherwise on a clean blue Texas title. Texas residents subject to sales tax, itle and registration fees. Bidders with less than 10 feedback please email with your serious intent or I will reject your bid (no offence). Please get your wife, anker or whoever pulls your strings permission to buy before bidding. I will store the car for a reasonable period of time and will assist with shipping arrangements for a modest fee.
Now sit back and enjoy the pictures...
On Oct-19-15 at 09:14:37 PDT, eller added the following information:Additions:
Service records date back to 1984.This car has had the Carrera updates including head and exhaust studs, iming chain & tensioners performed at 46,000 miles in 2001. The clutch, lywheel and main seals were done at the same time.
Tires warranted by Discount Tire.
Two original keys and owner's manuals.
I found a very nice steering wheel horn cover at a recent swap meet with a colored Porsche Crest.
On Oct-21-15 at 05:52:10 PDT, eller added the following information:
This 1981 911sc has a clean Autocheck/Carfax. Ebay only provides Autocheck reports on 1982 or newer cars. Full copy available upon request. Here is the Autocheck cover page...