In the Porsche realm, the SC Targa is towards the bottom of the 911 totem pole. Most people prefer the coupe’s looks, so for the most part, the Targa is often overlooked. It’s actually a great design, offering an open top like a convertible but without all the wind and noise. It also has the added benefit of providing more headroom than a coupe. Even with those pros, they don’t bring the big money that Coupes can. As they say, though, “rising tides lift all boats”, and that’s been the case with the entire 911 lineup. So, when we saw this 911 SC Targa under a carport in a field, it was somewhat surprising. These cars bring good money, well, at least enough to motivate most owners to keep them protected from the elements. Of course, this one needs a complete restoration, but it’s still an air-cooled 911! And there’s a bit of a story behind it.
We spotted this 911 at a friend’s body shop. It belonged to one of his clients who had plans to restore it but never gave the go-ahead to start on the metal work, so it stayed in the carport. According to our friend, the owner owns a ranch/farm and would occasionally allow one of his employees to borrow the car to drive into the nearest town. One day, the employee was having a little too much fun and lost control of it. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the driver’s side made contact with several permanently mounted objects, leaving the fender, rocker, and door damaged. Incredibly, the driver’s door still opens and closes as it should, but there’s a lot of sheet metal that will need to be fixed.
When they were new, SC Targas tended to be quite expensive as they were typically well optioned. Without ordering the Porsche Certificate, it’s hard to say all of the options this one received, but visually, you can tell it has factory A/C, automatic heat control, and fog lights. This one is also a good color combo and had to have been a real head turner when it was still on the road.
Accidents happen, and when this one was wrecked, these cars weren’t nearly as sought after, so letting it sit may not have seemed like a huge deal. Now, even rusty projects can fetch over $10k. When we first looked at it, the owner was considering selling it, but for whatever reason, they changed their mind. Our friend moved locations, so the owner relocated the car, but there’s been no word on where. Hopefully, that means they will get it restored and put it back on the road.
At the end of the day, it was just interesting to look at and fun to photograph (at least until the wasps came out). There’s something fascinating about seeing classics like this left to the elements, not that we want to see that happen, but it’s an interesting sight to see. What do you think, will this one get saved one day, or is it bound for the recycler?
If you know of a unique classic parked in a barn, shed, or carport, we would love to feature it! You can send us photos at [email protected].
With no information on the running gear it’s kind of hard to make any sensible comments here. Either way, unless a buyer has the capacity and knowledge to resurrect it you might as well go out and buy a duplicate all in one piece and running.
In ’94 I was looking for a Porsche and purchased a book by Dean Batchelor titled “Illustrated Porsche Buyer’s Guide”. Great book. I still have it.
I remember Batchelor stating that one should save their money and buy the best Porsche they could afford unless they really love working on cars because repairing a Porsche piece meal back to running is almost always more expensive. It seems a lot of the Porsches available here fall into that category.
Finally an old cars in barn one, back to the roots write up.
Wasn’t the original idea for this was to find and photograph these as found in the “wild”? not about a money thing, but to show the world about car sitting as found and the story?
Its something that I miss to be honest. Most thing now are about the money part and how much to buy or restore.
Isn’t it more fun to look and listen to the story and not worry about buying or selling or fixing?
It is part of it for sure, but we have changed over time to its all about the money.
Just my two cents.
But I’m glad to see and read about one with a story and to see the pictures of it sitting.
I don’t think they are bullet holes, but are the holes for the mirrors. Either way, it sure spiked my blood pressure when I opened that door and the wasp hive activated!
I am not a Porsche guy but this was a cool looking one at one time. Why let it get this this way
I’d love to take on a project like this one. I’d simply want to drive it when finished. Need not be a perfect restoration, a funtional one would satisfy me.
If you GAVE me that car, I couldn’t afford it!
If owner is willing to let it go for a reasonable price, I’m in.
The SC Targa may have been at the bottom of the Porsche gene but not anymore.This Porsche has become quite desirable of late.I recently show one on a commercial and it was truly a site to see.The Targa top gives it the special look. Depending on salvagability l’d buy it dress it to my likes and charish it.