In case there was ever doubt whether I’d feature any Minerva Blue Metallic Porsche I come across, here I present another. But this one is worthy of our consideration even beyond the wonderful exterior color. Unlike the past few Minerva examples I’ve featured, which have been high-dollar 930s, this is a fairly basic 1982 Porsche 911SC Targa with a price we can think long and hard about. The seller seems quite knowledgeable about his car and its current mechanical condition and has provided us with a wealth of detailed photos and description with which to judge that condition. It has a Black interior, rather than my preference of Tan, and 142,000 miles on it. Regardless, I imagine I will be quite jealous of the new owner of this beautiful 911.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1982 Porsche 911SC Targa on eBay
Year: 1982
Model: 911SC Targa
Engine: 3.0 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 142,000 mi
Price: $36,900 Buy it Now
Up for sale is this stunning 1982 Porsche 911 SC Targa finished in its original and rare Minerva Blue Metallic color. Despite the high miles this car is in overall excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition. This is my fifth air cooled 911 and third 911 SC. I have enjoyed working on it and driving it but now its time to move on to the next one.
This car had just received a high quality glass out respray when I bought it early this year. The interior was in great shape too, including the Targa top. Since then I have focused on the mechanical side of things, starting with a compression test which indicated readings of between 150-159 psi across both banks of the 3.0 liter flat six. I gave it a thorough tune up which included new rotor and cap, ignition wires and spark plugs as well as fresh O2 sensor and relay. I changed most of the vacuum lines and I changed the fuel filter and fuel accumulator. I also changed a leaky oil pressure sender and weepy oil return hose and the drive belts. Fresh oil and filter. This car runs great and pulls strong through all five gears of its 915 transmission The clutch feels fresh and the motor sounds like, well an air cooled boxer.
Hearing some bearing rumble in the rear wheel, I changed the rear sealed bearings and the inner and outer front bearings. I changed the CV axle shafts. I rebuilt all four calipers and changed the front pads and the rear pads and rotors. I also serviced the emergency brake. The Bilstien shocks are firm and in good working condition. Likewise the steering is light, tight and communicative, as you would expect of a Porsche.
The AC held a vacuum and was recharged with R134. If you know much about these cars then you know that the AC works great in Alaska but is not so well suited to August in Texas. People new to these cars always ask, “does the AC blow cold?” to which the used car salesman usually says “it needs a charge” and the old guys who know just say “take the belt off”. If I were to keep the car I would remove the entire AC system, put it in a box and eliminate the frustration these dealer installed options present. IMHO they just get in the way of real work under the hood. Besides, Targas are best operated with the top off, they are a pure joy to drive.
This car also has some very rare and very cool period correct French made Etoile multi-piece wheels that are in excellent condition. After researching them on Pelican and Rennsport I discovered that they are very sought after. I think they compliment the car well and I have never considered chasing down a set of Fuchs for this car because I think these look great.
Most everything is in working order, the windows move up and down smoothly, the heater controls work properly. The clock is intermittent and the power antenna temperamental. The Pioneer head unit I am sure works fine but the speakers aren’t very good. Since I shuttle my little blue tooth jam box between my classic car collection I will leave the stereo improvements to the next owner.
This car is now well sorted and is ready for a loving new caretaker. I was always a coupe guy, but after owning and living with Targas I am a convert and I have always been a big fan of the “jelly bean” colored cars like this one. Whether I am driving it or just looking at it, it always puts a smile on my face.
Air cooled Porsches are one of the most enduring classic and collectible cars, aside from their timeless looks and driving dynamics the one thing that sets them apart from just about any other, is the robustness of the materials and mechanicals from which they are comprised. So long as these cars are maintained and serviced they will last a very, very long time and will prove to be a very good investment to boot.
This car is offered for sale as is where is. Texas buyers may be subject to sales tax. Trades for other import and domestic classics considered, no boats or bikes please. If the listing is up the car is for sale and I need no assistance selling . This car is located in Rowlett, Texas 75088.
Though they appear to be the original colors, the paint and interior of this 911SC aren’t original, but both present very well. The Minerva paint looks as good as ever and on a Targa, with the extra accents of the roll hoop along with that missing middle section of the roof, everything comes together so very well. I don’t know if the Etoile wheels are as desirable on a 911 as the seller suggests they are. I think most would prefer a set of Fuchs and that has to be taken into consideration with regard to the price. That said these are period correct wheels and such items will always have their fans so they can probably be sold. Or perhaps the new owner will even prefer them; they certainly aren’t a terrible look. All told this SC isn’t going to wow buyers for its pristine originality. As an honest driver, however, it has a lot going for it and is sure to provide limitless joy. For an SC Targa with this mileage I will admit that the price is by no means low; we’ve definitely seen similar condition/mileage examples sell for less. For Minerva, I think you absolutely have to consider it.
-Rob
