Porsche 911 SC

On offer here is a 1982 Euro-spec Porsche 911SC Targa in black metallic over black-and-tan. Owned by the same individual for 17 years, the car shows 40,526 miles on the odometer, so it has traveled just over 1,000 miles per-year on average. This indicates very respectful use by drivers who knew they were caretakers of the car for future owners. Its outstanding overall condition, however, is the best evidence.

Outside, the black metallic paint shows plenty of evidence of the quality of paintwork coming from Porsche in a time when there were no robots, only well-trained craftsmen carefully creating each car’s finish. (For a wonderful bit of video history, search YouTube for “Factory Paint Shop Footage, Early Porsche Vintage”). There are no dents, no dings. The black metallic color beautifully showcases the curvaceous 911 body style—especially when enhanced with the perfectly integrated flared fenders front and rear capturing the M491-optioned look, as here– to great advantage. The car reflects light in a more lively way than the more common single-stage black paint. What’s more, this color nicely blends with the factory’s blacked-out metal trim (for example, around windows, on the tea-tray rear-deck spoiler, under-bumper front spoiler, and on the face of the impact bumpers and side baffles) to create an impression that the car is all of one piece, almost as if carved from black granite. The lone departure–the script “targa” identification in brushed metal on the safety bar–really stands out. Worth noting here is that the Porsche flag-style side-view mirrors are protected with covers. These mirrors often took a road-rash beating, so these padded covers are another clue to prior-owner’s meticulous care. Lighting lenses—including the fog lamps, headlights, and taillights—are clear and free of cracks. The black “Porsche” rear-center lens is similarly undamaged. Original Fuchs wheels with characteristic black centers, brushed trim, chrome lug nuts, and colored Porsche-logo center caps are mounted with Continental® Control Contac performance tires.

Inside, black leather covers the sport bucket seats and the two rear jump seats. Tan leather provides a handsome contrast on door panels and the center console. Lightly tinted cabin glass—including on the curved rear glass unique to the Targa model—is free of damage. The classic three-spoke Porsche-trademark steering wheel frames the five-opening 911-trademark instrument cluster. All instrument markings and lenses are clear; even the fluorescent indicator needles and markings are sharp and un-faded. The 5-speed manual gearbox shifter is console-mounted. An Alpine® audio head unit is mounted in the factory radio location (period-correct Blaupunkt® radios are widely available should the next owner choose that option). Upgraded speakers are mounted in the doors and on the rear shelf. In the “frunk,” the original space-saving spare remains in place.

The rear engine compartment hosts the 3.0 liter, horizontal 6-cylinder engine which period road tests indicated could power the car to 6.3-second 0-60 times. The engine bay is clean and tidy, free of any modifications. All components—including air conditioning—are properly mounted. Viewed from below, the chassis is straight, clean, and free of damage as might be the case if the car had suffered too-aggressive driving styles or track use.

The car’s original stamped-in-metal build tag is in place.

While the more than 155 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this Porsche 911 SC Targa in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

The Automobile magazine writer, Patrick Hoey, who penned the review mentioned earlier, wrote fondly of his own car: “As I’ve discovered with my own 911SC Targa, the SC is one of the truly usable and reliable classics. With a few preventive measures (most of which have probably been made already by previous owners), an SC will not be a regular visitor to your friendly Porsche mechanic. Over the course of six years and many miles, my Targa still runs strong.” At the end of his review, here was Hoey’s final take: “The best advice? Pick one up now before it’s too late.”

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1982 Porsche 911 SC Targa on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it’s possible that you’ve only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 155 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to Porsche’s Carfax history report, please go to our main website: Garage Kept Motors.)