When you see an overall market softening like we’re seeing among vintage cars and trucks, it’s important to remember the following: in times like these, the best cars will continue to appreciate, while the once-hot “drivers” will settle back down to normalcy. I was a bit shocked to see this clean 1983 Porsche 911 SC Targa listed here on eBay for the price of $38,100, especially since it’s a Paint-to-Sample model, which usually adds some additional premium to the price. But it’s not a preservation-spec car, and in today’s market, that has an impact on setting the asking price.

Among air-cooled Porsches, options and rare, special-order features can make all the difference in a final sale price. This Targa already stands out for its optional whale-tail spoiler and staggered Fuchs wheels, but the Paint-to-Sample Silver Metallic finish is what stands out the most. Typically, a car configured in this way was conceived via a special order from the original purchasing party, and while another shade of silver isn’t the rarest color scheme you could conceive, it still makes it rarer than most other G-body era 911s. In the top photo, you can see a dent in the lower front valence (along with rock chips on the nose), and an optional OEM front air dam would finish the nose off nicely.

The interior is in average, driver-quality condition. These are standard seats, not the desirable sport buckets, which is another reason for the sub-$40K asking price. The driver’s seat also has a tear in the cushion. None of these are significant flaws (it’s also worth noting some blemishes on the door panels, and a cover obscures the dash, so it’s uncertain as to whether there are any cracks hiding closer to where it meets the windshield) but the state of affairs in the air-cooled world is more and more owners are looking for perfection – and they’ll pay for it. It’s gotten significantly harder to sell a car with even basic needs, especially at the prices they were commanding during the pandemic.

The 3.0L flat-six was rated at 172 horsepower and 189 lb-ft of torque. The seller claims it runs well, but these cars do come down to their maintenance histories, regardless of the cosmetic condition. The exposed air filter element is an odd choice for a 911 of any vintage, and it would be easy to replace for a significantly different “vibe” in terms of how the car presents. The good news is the clean-up on this 911 seems fairly straightforward, and will allow the next owner to get in at a lower price in exchange for some sweat equity. With the option to submit a best offer, it could be a real opportunity.