1978 Porsche 911 SC

This car would make an ideal project for someone wanting to breathe some new life into a vehicle that, while we think basically sound, is undoubtedly in need of some bodywork attention, a mechanical recommissioning and a chequebook with a reasonable amount of flex in it.

About 15 years ago, when the owner went to work overseas, this car was placed into storage and has ventured out for the occasional MoT since.

It has not been driven at all for at least 10 years.

During its years of contemplating the interior walls of a garage somewhere, it has fallen prey, in all the usual 911 places, to an ingress of rust.

Also, the engine is not currently running. This, we’ve been told, is not due to any serious problem, but rather to a few nuts and bolts that have failed in their duty.

Consequently, we’ve been advised not to start the engine until the replacement nuts, bolts and gasket have been fitted (handily, these come with the car).

On the occasion of its last MoT on 5.3.09, the car had clocked up some 106,554 miles.

Today, the odometer reads 106,664.

So, there you go.

The silver bodywork is something of a curate’s egg: it’s good in parts.

Where it’s good, it looks fine.

Where it’s not….well.

The doors close with the reassuringly exact thunk familiar to anyone who’s ever owned a classic 911.

The bodywork is free of any dinks, dents, folds, creases, scrapes or warps beyond those attributable to corrosion.

The wheels appear to be in excellent condition and most of the chrome work and trim is either reasonable or at least serviceable.

Despite being a post-1975 911 and therefore in possession of a galvanized bodyshell, rust has nonetheless gained a foothold in many of the predictable 911 places.

The front wings around the lights are the areas most obviously blighted by rot. New wings are approximately £1000 each we are told.

There is also rust in both sills, and bubbling on the bonnet, the screen pillars, and the bottom of the doors.

We like the inside of this 911SC.

It’s held up really rather well over the years, all things considered.

It’s wholly original, as far as we can see, and most of it seems to be pretty much intact, if in need of some soapy water, a chamois and a few good squirts of elbow grease.

The tan leather upholstery hasn’t suffered much over the years but, in common with most 43-year-olds who’ve led a rich and characterful life, it does have some light creasing around the bolsters.

We couldn’t see anything that appeared to be beyond repair. There are no rips or tears in the leather, carpets or door cards.

Yes, it’s a bit shabby.

No, it’s not a basket case. Nowhere near.

Lifting up the carpets in here reveals the odd spot of rust. Perform the same operation in the front luggage compartment and you’ll find rather more of it – particularly where the floor of the ‘boot’ means the inner sections of the wings.

But, again, it’s by no means in the grip of galloping rot – it’s somewhere below a canter, perhaps between a walk and a trot.

And only in a few places.

The undersides of the car show corrosion in places and the standard bloom of rust dust elsewhere.

We can’t see anything that looks like it might compromise the integrity of the vehicle, but, clearly, you’ll want to check it out for yourself.

The engine bay in a 911 never tells the untutored eye very much. All we can say is that it looks a bit dusty.

This 911SC has less history than Clint Eastwood in any of the countless films where he turns up, wearing a poncho and chewing a cheroot, at some desperate, fly-blown town inhabited by terrified Mexicans and a few feral cats.

Aside from its years in storage we don’t know where it’s been or what it’s done.

We don’t have great wads of invoices or service books bristling with stamps.

It is what it is.

It doesn’t have a current MoT certificate.

It’s a long way from perfect, but that is at least a validation of its unrestored originality. And while there are plenty of significant jobs to do for someone with the right amounts of time, passion and cash, we think the eventual joys of owning and enjoying a highly original 1978 911SC would more than repay all the effort involved.

And, being a classic 911, there’s no shortage of either spare parts or expert 911 whisperers out there for you to call upon.

We’re confident that this exciting, original project car deserves to fetch somewhere in the region of £11,000 to £25,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon.  Our offices are open Mon-Fri 9.00 am to 5.00 pm.  To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.