Most Porsche aficionados agree: the overall best balanced and best built air-cooled 911 is the 911SC, manufactured between 1978 and 1983, as it seems to provide the ideal compromise between the raw, early 911 and the electronics-laden, cushier 1984-and up versions.

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Hence, 911SCs have enjoyed quite an upswing in value lately, making it harder for those enthusiasts on a budget to own and enjoy a vintage Porsche 911. Finding one the working man can afford that doesn't come in a bucket with lots of free rust thrown in for good measure isn't an easy task anymore.

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Here's a running and driving example that can be bought for much less than its restored counterpart but, with a little elbow grease and free weekend labor, could be every bit as rewarding.

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The 1978 Porsche 911SC Sunroof Coupe presented for auction here, VIN *9118301842, is one of just 2,438 Euro-spec Coupes produced for the model year. To our best knowledge, it has spent time in Arizona, New Mexico, and California after it was imported.
Write-up scanned above originates directly from the car's owner and will enlighten you a little as to how this money was spent. The Porsche passed the stringent CA smog test on 12/02/2013 and has only been driven 163 miles since.

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The Porsche's history for the past 17 years in the hands of a capable owner is fully documented, with a thick folder containing 55 receipts for parts and maintenance, totalling over $20,000, accompanying the car.

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Let's have a closer look now.
Trunk looks unsassuming but clean, with the gray felt mat in place and working hood struts.
Let's see what's underneath!

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Nose appears undamaged, inflatable spare and factory tire jack are present.
Factory color on this SC apparently was the very desirable Silbermetallik.

Undercarriage seems to be in a close-to-pristine state of preservation, with original finishes intact. There is no rust, wich doesn't surprise, given the geographical area the car has lived in, and, of course, the factory zinc-plating process that made it much harder for the tin worm to attack the post-1975 911s. Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)

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Above photos showing the undercarriage in great detail. Make sure you enlarge them to their full size.
This 911 is not a leaker!

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Present paint is just so-so, with numerous blems here and there. Nothing to write home about, really. Coachwork looks acceptable; the left rear quarter panel has been replaced, sometime in the distant past.
Now the big question: Is this 36-year-old ready to be enjoyed "as is?" Sure thing, but wouldn't it be nice to strip it carefully and finish it to its glorious, factory-correct German Racing Silver?
Same holds true for the chromed Fuchs alloys: it would be nice to strip ($25 apiece at our friends from Bolton's Classic Wheels in Gardena) and re-finish them, down the line.

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Cockpit looks decent; again, it's ready to be used now and to make possible improvements later. Dash pad looks nice, Gauges feature the popular white faces, steering wheel is a stock factory unit.

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A matter of personal taste: white VDO gauges. They all seem to work, except for the clock, maybe.

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Front sport seats look very attractive. Made by Scheel, they seem to come from a 1970s-period BMW. RS door panels are popular, too.

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Stock rear seat cushions, seat backs, side panels, and parcel tray are all intact. Note the brand new black carpeting that was recently installed.

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The mighty whale tail! If you don't like the look, simply remove it, weld up 5 small bolt holes in the deck lid, and install a flat black grille. Done!

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Clean engine compartment houses the original, matching numbers engine # *6383059*. Here's where the car's owner spent most of his time and money. The flat six has been carefully rebuilt, and it shows.

There's even a dyno sheet included - 166 horses at the rear wheels (which translates to roughly 200 flywheel hp). Not too shabby for a basically stock SC! Click on the image to the left for an XXL-sized view (a separate browser window will open)

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This SC is somewhat of a blank canvas - you take it from here and finish to your own taste. Bring it back to 100% "as delivered" appearance, or venture into the road race/Magnus Walker/R-Gruppe realm, perhaps?

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Porsche's 911 Coupes are all very desirable cars now, even the previously unloved (rightfully so) 2.7-liter specimen. This early three-liter SC features the desirable European specification, matching numbers, runs great, isn't rusty, and could easily be enjoyed "as is." At the same time, it has potential, lots of potential. Get in through the bargain basement door, it can only go up from here! Not too many opportunities to do just that present themselves anymore in the realm of air-cooled Porsches.