1979 Porsche 911SC Targa: Spotted for Sale in November 2022

We spotted this 1979 Porsche 911SC Targa in November 2022, listed by a private seller on Craigslist. It was not a car so much as what was left of one. We did not record the price, and the ad has expired. We keep the record because even rough 911 shells sell, and it is useful to see what one looks like.

What this car was

A white 911 Targa body that has been stripped and has clearly been through a lot. In the first photo the engine lid is open over an empty engine bay, the paint is peeling and the body is covered in grime. The second photo, taken from the front, shows the front trunk area opened up with heavy rust, the interior gutted, and the doors and bumpers either loose or missing. Both photos were taken in a yard full of other vehicles, and the car looks like it has been sitting outside for a long time.

This is a parts car or the start of a full restoration where almost every panel and system would be replaced. The Targa roll hoop and the car’s identity, meaning its chassis number and title, are the main things of value here.

Anyone looking at a shell like this should confirm the chassis number matches the title, and check whether the structure is still straight. A 911 restoration from this point is a very expensive project.

A little 911SC history

The 911SC was built from the 1978 to 1983 model years and used an air-cooled 3.0-liter flat-six. It replaced the earlier 911 and Carrera models and was known for being durable and simple to live with. Porsche had planned for the front-engined 928 to replace the 911, and strong sales of cars like the SC helped keep it alive. The Targa version has a removable roof panel and a fixed roll hoop. The SC was followed by the 3.2-liter Carrera for 1984.

More cars from the archive

• 1978 LuAZ-967M Amphibious Vehicle, another 1970s European car
• 1977 Fiat 128, another 1970s European car
• 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider, another 1970s European car
• 1977 Peugeot 604 SL, another 1970s European car