1983 Porsche 911SC Sunroof Coupe
Lifelong California Car / Current Owner for Over 31 Years
Lovely Survivor with Recent (< 500 Miles & 5 months) $30,000+ Mechanical Repairs & Updates
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History of this 1983 Porsche 911SC
This original, unmodified Porsche 911SC represents the final year of production of the desirable 911SC. This example exhibits all the wonderful features and aesthetic charm that lured so many enthusiasts into purchase of Porsche’s in the 1970’s – 1980’s. Perhaps most important, the Porsche has spent its entire life in California, retains factory original Grand Prix white paint, has no history of accident damage, and has benefited from over $30K in mechanical repairs within the last 5 months and less than 500 miles.
Specifically, the original factory warranty booklet documents delivery in Southern California to Meister Porsche/Audi on February 4, 1983. With two owners since new, the car was acquired by the current owner from Carlsen Porsche in 1991 supporting his impressive 31+ year ownership. Notes in the file from the owner indicate that the car was in dry storage in the San Francisco Bay area from 2006 to 2022 accounting for the reported 14K miles added to the car by the owner since his. In 2022 he commissioned a comprehensive mechanical freshening/restoration that was complete in July 2022. The fully documented, comprehensive rebuild, addressed virtually all major mechanical components & systems, engaging experts to ensure that all details were both correct and properly finished.
Detailed receipts for the mechanical work are too lengthy to list, but highlights include the following:
- Comprehensive rebuilt of the numbers matching engine with all new needed components – Compression test results #1 – 175 #2 – 180 #3 – 180 #4 – 175 #5 – 175 #6 – 180
- Complete engine rebuild including, but not limited to:
- New pistons/liners
- Complete clutch kit
- Valve job
- Clean & polish crank
- Resurface flywheel
- New studs
- Upgraded cam tensioners
- New oil cooler & other hoses
- Complete upper & lower gaskets
- New fuel pressure lines
- New heat exchanger bolts, gaskets
- New oxygen sensor
- New axle assemblies
- Complete front & rear brakes including calipers, rotors, pads, hoses, and hardware
- New front wheel bearings
- New master cylinder
- New drive belts
- Remove old, dated alarm system
- Complete tune-up & oil service
- Differential service
- Exhaust system gaskets and repairs
- Remove & repair whale tail mounts (Factory OEM part – stock decklid traded for whale tale
- Four (34) new Pilot Sport All Season tires (all with date codes of late 2021
Total Cost of mechanical upgrades finalized in mid-2022 equaled $39,084.60
It is important to note that no cosmetic restoration was undertaken to avoid disturbing the Porsche’s lovely original patina that benefited from not being exposed to the elements for 30+ years. The owner reports that the car remains in the condition when he acquired it from 1991 plus 14,000 miles and 31 years.
Condition Overview
This lovely, originally configured California “survivor” Porsche 911 exhibits factory finishes throughout. The Grand Prix white paint is glossy, even, free from major damage, and reflects the lovely patina of a well-cared for, limited owner, original Porsche. The panel gaps and fit are excellent in all areas, opening and closing properly, particularly the doors, which shut with a distinctive and satisfying precision clasp along with the hood which closes with factory precision. Early in his ownership, the owner traded the original Porsche 911SC decklid for an OEM “whale tail” decklid that remains in place and while fitment is good, it isn’t up to the exacting standards of the untouched doors and hood. The front hood line encircles the front storage opening with uniformed symmetry, flanked by correct headlights and centered Porsche crest emblem. The factory sunroof is fully operational and seals well. The windshield, double taillights, emblems, and trim are all quintessentially Porsche and original to the SC. Minor wear and tear can be noted and seen in the exterior and interior photos. Wheels are authentic Fuchs wrapped in Pilot Sport All Season tires carrying late 2021 date codes.
The interior is finished in a lovely shade of brown and virtually all original including the original seats, dash, carpet, and trim. The interior reflects the cars limited use over the years with an excellent dash, gauges, and trim. The carpet and portions of the leather optional sport seats show some expected wear as does the color coordinated brown carpet. The top of the dash, door panels, and cockpit perimeter are trimmed in matching material, delivering an engaging and purposeful presence to the cockpit. The elegant and simple dash is finished off with the original steering wheel and the gearshift knob and interior trim is Porsche factory correct. The radio is an aftermarket unit replacing the original and unavailable unit. Speakers have been added to the side door panels and rear decklid. Throughout the interior, all materials offer a unified appearance of an original example with excellent fit and finish.
The engine compartment is clean and reflects the recent considerable mechanical work. The engine was rebuilt and is complete with correct factory finishes, proper hardware and fittings, correct factory decals, hoses, wiring, and linkages. The engine numbers support that the car is within the range of a power unit for this car and every indication is that the engine and transmission is “numbers matching.” The engine is correctly finished including painted accessories and accurate factory labels for the engine components, and optional air-conditioning unit. All new tune-up parts have been added along with a complete oil service to the totally rebuilt engine/driveline. The quality and cleanliness of the engine cannot be overstated and support that the car has been driven fewer than 200 miles since the rebuild. The front storage compartment reveals the correct VIN number surrounded by factory correct finishes and beautifully executed trim, including a correct style spare wheel, front “liner” and jack. The front end shows no previous or current accident damage.
The underside of the car is yet another indication of a rust free, straight, lifelong California Porsche. While there are some signs of minor indentation on the right-side rocker panel and left rear valance, the floor pans, suspension components, and other areas are totally straight and 100% solid. The extensive photos of the undercarriage support the adage “A photo is worth a thousand word.”
It certainly comes as no surprise that this Porsche runs and drives extremely well considering the recent investment in the completely rebuilt driveline components, braking system, and other repairs. Settling into the classic 911 seat, the engine kicks over immediately, warming to a smooth idle. With first gear engaged, the fresh clutch operates with excellent travel and the synchros deliver smooth shifting, warm or cold, in all gears. The driving experience communicates all the pleasure and satisfaction that a proper mechanical restoration of a 911SC can achieve when building upon such an original car. The engine offers brisk, progressive acceleration without hesitation or misfire. Braking is effective in modern traffic with a firm, tall pedal, and symmetrical tracking even under more urgent application. This Porsche is accompanied by a clean California title, clear Carfax report, historical registration documents, copies of recent detailed mechanical repair records, an original Owner’s Manual & Warranty Manual, and factory key.
History Porsche 911SC 1978-1983
In 1978 a brand-new model 911 was introduced to the world with the Porsche 911SC. The Model 911SC was more refined, more drivable, more dependable that still outperformed every other car in its class. The 911SC was Porsche’s ticket to a wider range of owners. It was designed to appeal not only to the hard-core sport driving enthusiasts, but also to the somewhat gentler sport touring genre.
The SC, which stands for “Super Carrera” was destined to be the last of the model 911 line as the all-new front-engine mounted V-8 Model 928 was waiting in the wings to take over as the flagship for the 1979 model year, but in retrospect, was not the case. The SC was built around the heartbeat of the classic 1974 Carrera 3.0 Turbo, an engine design that could be further tuned for performance and still be deemed practically bulletproof.
The model 911SC offered American buyers an attractive 15 horsepower increase over its predecessor the model 911S. Porsche sought to make the SC a “worldwide” car by fitting every model for every market with an exhaust emission air pump. The emissions regulator created a 20bhp loss for the Europeans when the SC replaced their 200bhp model Carrera 2.7. Porsche made compensation for the loss of power by advancing the timing of the camshafts by a mere six degrees, allowing it to pull surprisingly strong from low rpm’s, a classic feature that still graces the grunt of every Porsche on the market today.
By 1980, the model 911SC was equipped with standard features that included, air conditioning and power windows which were a plus for luxury seekers, but ultimately frowned upon by enthusiasts due to the loss of power and added weight that had also become standard. Despite the added heft and slight reduction in power, the SC was still in high demand and was outselling its newly introduced successor, the model 928, by fifty percent. It was now clear to Porsche that production of the model 911 should continue, and with this new direction focus would be shifted toward resurrecting the legendary aggressiveness that Porsche enthusiasts were demanding.
During its production run between 1978 and 1983, 911SC sales totaled ~59,000 units, impressive for a model that was destined for the chopping block immediately following its release.
Please let us know if we can answer any questions.
Tripp White
Classic Cars Ltd.
925-846-1451