Introduced in 1978, the SC would cement the legacy of the 911 and ensure that Porsche continued to produce this rear-engined rear-drive sports car. Upon release it featured a 3.0 liter flat-6 engine with Bosch fuel injection producing 180 hp that was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. While European models would eventually see power output raised to 204 hp by the 1981 model year, US models remained at 180 hp (the difference due in large part to the higher compression ratio of the European engines). The SC, along with its successor the 3.2 Carrera, remains a great opportunity for one’s first foray into the Porsche 911 market. These cars come with stout engines, the classic 911 body, and, at least for now, reasonable prices.
Year: 1981
Model: 911SC
Engine: 3.0 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 50,378 mi
Price: Reserve Auction
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1981 Porsche 911SC on EBay
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1981 Porsche 911SC finished in Black with Black leather seats. Driven 50k miles since new. The 911SC has proven to be one of the most reliable of all the 911 Series. Finding one as clean and as original as this one is next to impossible. The weak spot on the SC Era cars was the head studs. Back in 2003 at 38,250 miles, a well respected Marque specialist completely rebuilt the engine at a cost of over $10,000.00 and addressed that issue during the engine’s complete and total rebuild. Prior to that, the car had been sitting idle for over seven years. The seats have never been sprayed and almost all of the body retains it’s original paint from the factory. Besides some stone chips from normal driving, the paint remains in beautiful condition. The car comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, all it’s tools and packaging, original spare tire air compressor, all books, keys, original window sticker and service history. Original equipment includes an electric sliding sun roof, Black headliner, Cruise Control, Option Package J17, original five spoke Fuchs alloys, air conditioning, front and rear factory spoilers, power windows and mirrors and much more. It has also been fitted with a leather wrapped sport steering wheel and CD player. Considering this is a 32 year old Porsche, I’d say it’s in remarkable original condition. It has just been serviced and the air conditioning system has been updated and works well. It is realistically priced. All serious inquires and offers should be directed to Mark Starr @ 914 217-4817.
Whale tail? Check. Black paint? Check. Black Fuchs wheels? Check. Classic 911 styling? Check. Were I in the market for my first 911 this car would fit the bill pretty well. While other exterior colors might look better in pictures (most notably a red SC with black wheels), for me there’s little better than a clean black 911 when seen in the flesh. This car’s paint looks to be in excellent condition and the interior looks to have been well maintained. Having already had an engine rebuild that addressed the head studs this example should run well for many more miles. Bidding is currently at $18,100 with reserve still on and I’d expect an SC like this to sell somewhere in the mid-$20,000 range. Frankly, that sort of price would be fantastic as a way to get one’s first taste of what the 911 is all about.
-Rob
Will be interesting to watch this one. I like SCs but $25k +- seems like tall money for one.
Is the rise in long hood prices dragging up the values on all the air cooled cars?
Listed at $32.9k on their website.
@Poorhouse, interesting point about long-hood prices influencing later cars. I would have to agree that $25k seems like a lot for a SC, but then the long hood prices are way more. Plus this looks like a top-quality example.
I don’t think it’s that much money at all. What does $25k to $30k buy today? Nothing special.
Sure it’s gorgeous in black-on-black with the black-centered Fuchs, and it seems very well kept – consistent with the low miles, but…$33K? Wow.
Audemars –
I agree this car isn’t in the same category as a new Accord or Camry, but the cost of a new commuter has nothing to do with the value of this car.
I find it interesting that this was a $15k-$18k car a few years ago.
If the current price is $25k -$32k, my brain is not keeping up with the market.
Poorhouse –
… and the price will continue to increase for clean low mile desirable air cooled 911’s and 356’s.
1. Why? Because people are willing to pay the price.
2. When will it stop? When people that can afford to pay the price, reach a price limit for that particular car.
The market will dictate that limit, and from what I have seen so far, the price is being paid. Check out: http://www.sloancars.com
Regarding value, it’s true that it is (1) a really nice example; and (2) that value is between the buyer and seller. That aside, at some point have folks looking at these cars looked at what recent 911s sell for? I’ve been toying with getting one five to ten years old as a present for myself for an upcoming significant birthday, and while yes they are more than this example, you can find recent vintage, lower mileage 911s, at Porsche dealers, for between $45k and $65k. (You can also spend a lot more obviously.) So why someone would spend north of 30k for an early 80s variant is really a little beyond me unless they think the newer ones are somehow lesser. I think it is a case of people allowing nostalgia to interfere with judgment, but that’s just my sense.
Raymond, you’re right that at some point the relative price of a newer model must come into play when determining value, but I think it’s more than nostalgia that drives people to some of the older cars. Personally, I prefer the styling of the 80’s 911 whether that be the SC or the 3.2 Carrera compared with the current cars. The larger factor, however, is that the electrics on modern cars has sapped some of the interaction between car and driver. Almost any car pre-90s car I’ve driven simply feels more connected to my driving inputs. Modern cars are quicker and usually handle better, but for many the feel isn’t the same.
With that said, I don’t think this is a $30k+ car quite yet, but we’re clearly moving in that direction.
The perfect example to what Raymond and Rob are saying, is the price comparison of two 911 track cars. Check out any ‘equal miles’ 2004 996 GT3 with a 1993 964 RS America, and the prices are about the same. Actually, lately, the RSA seems to be selling for a little more…
The same goes for regular 996’s and early 997’s vs. late 1980’s 911’s.
It all depends on what the buyer seeks. If it is creature comforts (cabin space, A/C that actually works, heated seats, decent audio system) and the ability to drive it every day, buy the newest 996 or 997 you can afford. If it is to be a weekend toy based on nostalgia, recalling youth or simply going with the current trend, buy the oldest air cooled car you can afford.
$30K still feels too high for an SC, but that may just be from my own point of view. Either way you go, make sure you have a good working relationship with an independent technician who specializes in Porsches.
I know this seller..in fact I was seriously thinking of swapping my 91 E34 M5 for the Euro 93 that he is has….just could not get past the Daytona Violet….LOL
that said he has very nice cars….some of them are consignment cars…
and the market will dictate price…and right now people are wanting these models and good/great condition cars with very low mileage are harder to come by as time passes….
I agree with whomever said what does 25k get you these days???….If I could snag this for 25k I’d much rather be driving this than some boring new car at the same price point…
For those curious, bidding on this car ended at $27,400. The reserve was not met.
[…] couple months ago I featured this Black 1981 Porsche 911SC that had similar mileage and was in similar condition to the car featured here. That SC was bid up […]