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I think I’m going to lose some credibility in my declaration of rarity of Type 43s, because for the third week in a row we get to view a very nice example. Unlike the previous two, today’s 5000 is one of the last Type 43 Turbo models to make it to these shores. Moving to the turbo model didn’t quite get you the power of the Quattro; without an intercooler, these cars only had 130 horsepower. However, that was a substantial bump over the standard 100 horse normally aspirated model, so they were reasonably quick for the time. The Turbo also featured upgraded 280 mm front brakes and 240 mm rear discs – other 5000 models had only drums. Holding those brakes up were 5-bolt hubs and Ronal R8 wheels shared with the Quattro, giving the 5000 a much more sporting presence. Usually these Turbo models were loaded, too – leather, air conditioning, and automatic transmissions were the norm. Pathetic residual value of the Type 43, though, ensured that very few have survived until today:
Just the other day, I reviewed a 1980 Audi 5000S which I said was a very nice example. While it certainly was, today’s must be considered exceptional. Coming across two mint condition Type 43s in a week is certainly cause for a smile and without doubt a review. This one ups the ante with lower miles, more original condition, a shocking scant 38,000 miles covered since new and a 5-speed manual:
On the surface this may look as if I’ve come across another regular 911, very similar to yesterday’s 3.2 Carrera. And in some ways that’s true. The colors are the same and they’re a pretty common combination for these ’80s 911s. There also aren’t any exclusive options or other rarely seen items that would attract notice. This one is all about condition and mileage. With a mere 18K miles on the clock this Guards Red 1983 Porsche 911SC Cabriolet certainly qualifies as one of the lower mileage examples we’ve seen and looks like it’s been well cared for as well. While the 911SC typically doesn’t excite quite as much as its successors the 911SC Cabriolet is somewhat of an exception. This was the first year a Cabriolet was produced as part of the 911 line ending a nearly 20-year absence of Cabriolets from the Porsche lineup dating back to the 356. As the first 911 Cabriolet and only year they were available for the 911SC these 911s are a little extra special and tend to attract greater notice.
A few weeks ago Craig wrote a post in which he talked about Netflix’s Stranger Things, an exhaustively accurate depiction of life in 1983. However, one glaring problem immediately stuck out to me as I watched it. The moment the character Barb appeared in her Volkswagen Cabriolet, I scoffed “that’s not an ’83”, much to the bemusement of my wife, who was turning to me every time a car appeared on screen. As these series often go to great lengths to find era-accurate cars, it was strange for them to have what appeared to be a post-’88 Wolfsburg edition car in the mix, especially considering it’s possible to find plenty of 1970s Volkswagens. Plus, if they had just waited a few weeks, Barb could have instead borrowed her parent’s Quantum GL, which has sat in a loving state of 1983 since…well, probably 1984:
It’s getting hot out. I think I read earlier this week that almost the entire country will be above 90 degrees. What better way to cool off than with something icy? No? Ok, so a Porsche 911 probably won’t keep you cool on a hot day, but perhaps at least thinking about the icy exterior of this Glacier Blue 1983 Porsche 911SC Coupe will help cool you down just a little bit. Glacier Blue is a very light shade and I completely understand why the seller has chosen these pictures to be cast in shade rather than sun. In the sun this paint is light enough to almost look white. Add a dark blue interior and the transformation to iceberg is nearly complete with this 911.
