1980 Porsche 911SC Targa

Chris Jones has owned this rather splendid Targa for about two years having bought it directly from the previous private owner who himself had the car for 12 years.

“I’ve spent a lot of money on it,” says Chris. “Firstly with longstanding Porsche specialist Steve Bull Specialist Cars in Devizes where all the mechanicals were checked over and repaired/replaced where needed.

‘The bodywork had some small marks and fading through age; there was no visible rust but I felt it needed a refresh, so I had it repainted to bring it up to the standard you see now.”

That standard is pretty blooming good, even if we do say so ourselves. There are still small jobs to make it tip top, such as the passenger electric window needs a bit of TLC and the top trim on the driver’s door and handbrake lever grip could both do with replacing.

“I have a bit of a collection of cars and have decided to cut it down a little bit, so I’m selling my 356 Cabriolet and this car. The 911 SC Targa comes with lots of bills and history and is a lovely example of a very beautiful Porsche model.

“It also drives just as good now, as it did when it was first made. I’d have no qualms about jumping in and driving it to the south of France.”

This generation 911 has a lovely visual feel to it; Fuchs alloy wheels, those narrow hips and striking sloping derriere combine to lend it a majestic stance and the lovely Silver paintwork only accentuates that here. As you’d expect having had a recent repaint the exterior panels present beautifully.

Window rubbers appear good; as does the targa hoop, lower front spoiler and bumper plastics. Light lenses are relatively free of fade; there’s the tiniest crack on the rear nearside indicator lens but you’d only really notice it if looking closely (or it’s pointed out!).

The Fuchs alloys are in lovely nick with brake calipers finished in a cheeky red colour hiding behind. It wears matching Uniroyal RainSport rubber boots that look to have plenty tread (and therefore life) left in them.

The Targa top whips off easily and fits nice and snugly when popped back in situ. Of course, the next owner will likely want to maximise their time with the open-air whipping past.

We know we would.

Chris has gone to decent lengths to source original type gauge faces, refurbished bezels and new lenses at a cost just shy of £2k; this lends the instrument binnacle a factory fresh feel and is a visual treat for the driver – no decades old tired and shabby items, here.

The seats have a pleasing patina and appear nice and free from scuffs, tares or abrasions and lifting up the carpets reveals solid body-coloured metal, which is always good to see. The period Panasonic ant-theft, ‘logic control’ RDS radio cassette player brings memories of the Eighties flooding back. All electrics function but the passenger window has just started playing up; it won’t close from the passenger control but will from the driver’s.

Under the bonnet you’ll find the original Inter Compressor and tool kit, as well as the space saver spare wheel. The carpet is a touch aged and grubby in here, but could be replaced if the next owner so wished.

“The 911 loves fast A-roads,” says Chris. “That glorious six-cylinder engine pulls like a train all the way through the rev range and the distinctive sound is something else – it makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The building pace is deceptive for a classic car and makes you grin like an idiot, but I’ll say this it can still challenge a few modern hot hatches.”

He says that the steering has no play in it, gearshift is good, suspension is taut and brakes are spot on, too. Popping the boot lid reveals a clean engine bay; if the next owner so desired then they could spend some time repainting and re-finishing faded items, but that could be done at his or her leisure.

The underside presents well, too; there’s plenty of underseal with no apparent cracking or chipping of it, which should bode well for the metal underneath. It’s not toothbrush clean but then this 911 is definitely a car to be driven and thoroughly enjoyed.

You’ll find a whole host of expired MOT test certificates in the history file, as well as expired tax discs. Of more interest are the invoices present; these range from those from its recent history to others from earlier in its life. Of the latter, there are indications that the 911 received significant works in 1994 and a possible restoration in the early Noughties (there’s a handwritten tally of monies spent totalling over £30k). It’s worth flicking through out Photo Gallery, as there are a lot of invoices detailing considerable care and attention that the car has received over the years.

Recent ones include a number from Steve Bull Specialist Cars (REAP Automotive Design) for fitment of those original gauge faces, refurbished bezels and new lenses (22/05/21, £1776), brake, electrical and fuel system work, engine tinwork, a bearing and wheel balancing (08/10/21, £1,127.28),

Please visit the documents section of the gallery of this listing where you will find photos of the paperwork to support our claim that this car has been maintained and refreshed to a very good standard.

Targa. It’s one word, but what a word. Porsche took it and gave it meaning. Hear it now and you instantly know what it means, top-off 6-cylinder motoring from Germany’s (and the world’s) finest sports carmaker.

As vendor Chris eloquently puts it, “every car guy or girl should own a 911 at some time in their life, just to experience the magic Porsche ingredients that are the reason that it is still the best sports car you can buy!”

The 911 model itself has such longevity and with it, such a range of types to choose from. For us, this generation Targa is a corker visually. This one has had a comprehensive mechanical going over, as well as repaint both of which mean it drives beautifully and presents sharply. As such, we see it realising somewhere between £38,000 and £45,000.

That’s not bad for some seriously serious air-cooled cool.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, 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’.