1978 PORSCHE 911 SC 'FLACHBAU' CABRIOLET

This 1978 Porsche 911 SC ‘Flachbau’ Cabriolet is a well-sorted tribute to the 930 Turbo SE model, which presents in very good condition. Under the engine lid is the 3.0-litre SC flat-six motor, believed to be running in stock specification, coupled to a five-speed manual transmission.

This car left the factory as a US-specification 911 SC Targa, finished in Cashmere Beige with an interior of Cork leatherette and pin-striped velour inserts. It was specified with the Bilstein sport shock absorbers, air-conditioning, cruise control, an 88-amp battery, headlight washers, and speakers in the rear shelf. It also had a leather-trimmed steering wheel and centre console, and had the chrome body trims finished in black.

At some point in the car’s past, it has been transformed from a factory Targa into a homage of the wide body ‘Flachbau’ Cabriolet model of the 930 Turbo. The car has wider steel rear arches with wing vents and strakes, the louvred ‘Slantnose’ steel front wings, and the Turbo style rear spoiler. In recent years, it has been owned by a resident of Washington state, US, but was imported to the UK last year by the current owner. It is now a taxes-paid and UK registered car.

Today, its blue paintwork presents in good order, with only some minor age-related marks in places. The overall impression is of a smart and usable modern classic. While there is a ‘Turbo’ badge at the rear, the flat-six remains naturally aspirated, and all of the other plastic and rubber body trims are in good condition. The soft top mechanism works as it should, and the dark blue fabric is in great shape, fitting snugly over the frame. The car rides on 16-inch Fuchs style alloy wheels, with gloss black centres and polished rims, which have just a few superficial blemishes.

In the cabin, the original Cork leatherette interior was changed to a full grey leather upholstery, as a full custom re-trim that included a grey finish for the seats, door cards, and dashboard panels. There is a Momo steering wheel and an aftermarket gear knob, and the instrument gauges now have white fascias with aluminium bezels. A modern JVC CD player head unit is installed. The seller notes that there is some minor damage to the trim pieces in places, and slight wear and some stains to the carpet. As with the exterior though, it presents as a very usable car that is ready to enjoy.

Its last scheduled maintenance was in January 2020 at AJ Classics in Southampton. This consisted of an engine oil service, along with new filters, gearbox oil, and spark plugs. Within the last 18 months, the brakes have also been overhauled. The odometer is currently inoperative, though it was functioning as recently as June 2015. The handful of paperwork from its recent life in the US indicates that the car has covered around 9,000 miles in the last 20 years.

The car is exempt from MOT testing on the basis of age, though the seller reports that it starts, runs, and drives very well. The wheels are fitted with Hankook tyres in size 205/45 R16 at the front and 215/55 R16 at the rear. They are date-coded to 2017 and remain in good condition.

Accompanying the car are various tools, an original space-saver spare wheel, and a small file of history including invoices and receipts from its time in the US over the last decade or so. A Porsche Certificate of Authenticity is also present, confirming the original Targa specification.

This Porsche 911 SC ‘Flachbau’ Cabriolet is a 1978 model year car, but it has been transformed into one of the embodiments of 1980s excess. Its ‘Slantnose’ bodywork is a faithful recreation of the original and flamboyant Turbo SE models - which are now highly prized - but it comes without the substantial price tag. This is a very usable drop-top 911 that can be driven and enjoyed, but is a great candidate for further modifications should the next owner choose.

All cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.