The Porsche 911 hierarchy is complex; over the years, we’ve seen every model seemingly skyrocket in price, before a correction occurred that left some cars still soaring and others beginning to fade. Despite these fluctuations, most owners of air-cooled models seem to think every 911 is still rising but that’s simply not the case. A variety of factors influence price, and the owner of this 1978 Porsche 911 SC Targa listed here on craigslist for $55,000 may be targeting a small percentage of buyers willing to pay top dollar. Still, with lots of recent maintenance, it may be worth the ask.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the tip. The general perception of 911s at the moment has the models from the early and middle 90s becoming the most popular offerings, while the 80s-era G-Bodies are more or less still getting strong money. There’s a philosophy that I employ in my own purchasing decisions which is that if total projects or rollers are still reliably commanding five figures, it’s likely never to be a cheap car now or in the future. Surprisingly, the 912 has been steadily climbing, likely because it has emerged as the last “cheap” entry into long-hood ownership. The 911 SC, however, has remained consistent in being the last attainable 911.
As someone who is not an expert in any one marque, I offer opinions with the disclaimer that I am not an expert. However, I simply don’t see the excitement around the SC at the moment. There was a time when some automotive pundits were listing as a smart buying opportunity, but in my view, it falls into the category of being a car that could be edging towards being too old for younger enthusiasts and not classic enough for the upper-echelon of the hobby that collects vehicles as pieces of art. The 356 and long-hood era 911s are absolutely seen as being valuable both as a driver’s car and/or as a status display piece; the SC isn’t quite in either category.
The later era like the 964 and 993 are cars you can enjoy every day while values continue to climb. For the SC, its star has seemingly stalled out around the upper 40s and low 50s, and I don’t know if it will move much over the next decade. Almost every performance car from this time period is seen as being a shadow of what they were or what they would become, and while the 911 SC offered good numbers, it’s hard to shake the malaise era shadow. The seller of this Targa lists “…new brakes, brake lines, master cylinder, new AC,” along with a rebuilt transaxle among the improvements he’s made; do those items alone demand the asking price, or is the SC a smarter buy at a lower number?
Don’t know about the price but the car is one of the best in the series of Porsches built in that era. Great engines and transmissions, full galvanized dipped chassis and excellent attention to proper assembly. This is a nice example of the breed.
The engines were better by the mid eighties. Personally I would like a SC from 1985 without the funky roof.
The SC was gone in 85 it was a Carrera 3.2 and it is the engine you want.
Ralph, there are no 1985 SC’s.
A well sorted SC makes a great daily driver. Hopefully the top is in good shape because a full set of replacement seals is pretty spendy.
A well sorted SC is worth $50-60K even with higher miles. But it needs to be in good sorted condition and generally from California.
Now Targa cars will bring $10-5K less
The driver for these cars is that they are generally simple and much cheaper to maintain than the newer cars that can get even more expensive.
The 3.2 cars should be the next to climb as the prices of the long hood cars are now crazy. The SC will follow. The later 3.2 is just better sorted and galvanized.
To really say malaise era is a bit off here as these cars had more power than the early cars and it still was only around 2600 pounds.
As the tuner cars keep buying up the clean examples it will be even more difficult to buy a good body. A clean body shell alone can bring $25K.
If you can find a low mile it will be near or over six figures now.
The market here has much more demand than supply and they are not making anymore. Rust has eaten up much and many are restoring these at high costs so buying a clean body car at this same higher price is more appealing.
These are the durable exotic. It is a car that will never be built again and the water cooled cars are just not the small light mechanical cars these were.
I was never a Porsche guy but I have gained a very good education into them since I acquired one.
The think that I really learned many fail is much of the work on these cars is not as difficult as you think and many things are not as expensive as they are on other cars.
This is not a Ferrari that can be used up at 50K miles. The engine in a 911 can be just broken in well at 150K with valve adjustments and oil changes.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 66K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 66K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 66K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 66K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 66K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 66K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
I love the Targa look, it was the least favorite until a few years ago, and now they fetch top money. A 1978 911 SC Targa was my first one, and I bought it used. A lot of work was done, but before I would pay 55K, I would need a Porsche expert to perform a real pre-purchase. 166K is still a lot of miles, but this ride might be worth it!
Good luck.
Mark, lift your finger off of the post comment button. Just kidding, I’ve done the same thing myself. With the price of air cooled 911’s this may be a decent deal with all the work recently done.
The SC was always a well sorted 911. Very dependable in it’s day.