Guide: Porsche 911 SC
Background
By mid 1977, the 911 had been around for 13 years and Porsche did not expect to be building it for much longer. Instead, the company (which had been under the direction of Ernst Fuhrmann since 1972) thought the future lay with conventional front-engined models like the recently introduced 928 and 924.
However, the 911 was still an immensely popular machine and routinely outsold the 928 by around 20:1.
Over time, Porsche had broadened the 911’s appeal beyond the scope of enthusiastic drivers that were prepared to overlook its idiosyncrasies. Thanks to industry-leading reliability, iconic looks, superb build quality, spacious packaging, fuel efficient engines and easy operation, 911s were frequently purchased for business and family use by both men and women.
This unusual combination of attributes meant it occupied a unique position in the automotive world.
Another factor that had ensured the 911’s ongoing success was how Porsche handled draconian safety and emissions legislation introduced throughout the 1970s. Thanks to innovative impact bumpers and clean engines, Porsche had been able to continue selling good looking cars around the world.
By contrast, many high performance European machines were blighted with ugly safety equipment while a good number were frozen out of the lucrative US market altogether.
Despite the mid 1970s Oil Crisis and a worldwide economic slump, Porsche sales had remained strong and the firm emerged from a troubled few years in better shape than any of their rivals.
Throughout this time, 911 production had averaged around 10,000 units every year. Different engine options had been available along with a choice of Coupe and Targa body styles.
When the turbocharged 930 arrived in 1975, Porsche were also able to offer a 911 with supercar rivalling performance.
For the 1978 model year K-series 911 (production of which got underway in August 1977), Porsche introduced what was forecast to be the final iteration of the 911. As a result there was no major investment in new equipment.
Chassis
Unlike its predecessors, the new 911 SC (Super Carrera) was offered in just one state of tune.
It was based on many of the same components as the outgoing 911 3.0 Carrera.
At its core was the galvanised unitary steel bodyshell that had been introduced for the 1974 model year.
Updates included beefier anti-roll bars and a thicker rear torsion bar. For the first time, a brake servo was fitted which reduced pedal effort especially when cold.
Suspension was fully independent with torsion bars and telescopic shocks plus an anti-roll bar at either end. The front used a compact MacPherson strut arrangement with a single lower wishbone. At the rear, semi-trailing arms were installed.
Ventilated disc brakes were fitted all round.
The standard wheels were 15-inch Dunlop-shod ATS ‘Cookie Cutter’ rims that measured 6-inches wide at the front and 7-inches wide at the rear. Forged Fuchs alloys with Pirelli P7 tyres were optional.
An 80-litre fuel tank was located underneath the front lid.
Engine & Gearbox
In the engine bay was a de-tuned version of the 3.0 Carrera power unit that had been on offer during the 1976 and 1977 model years. This was itself a normally aspirated version of the engine used in the turbocharged 930.
Designated Type 930/03, this all-alloy Flat 6 featured single overhead camshafts, two valves per cylinder and dry-sump lubrication.
New equipment included a crankshaft with larger main and con rod bearings, a cast aluminium crankcase (instead of magnesium), Nikasil barrels, an eleven-blade cooling fan and milder camshafts. Camshaft chain noise was reduced by fitting new chain guides. There was also new contactless ignition.
Displacement was unchanged at 2994cc thanks to a bore and stroke of 95mm and 70.4mm respectively.
Likewise, compression stayed at 8.5:1.
Fuel-injection was courtesy of the eponymous Bosch K-Jetronic and every 911 SC came with an air injection pump.
Peak power was 180bhp at 5500rpm. This was 15bhp up on the outgoing 911 S that had been available in the USA but 20bhp down on the 3.0 Carrera retailed in other markets. However, the torque rating was much improved with 195lb-ft at 4200rpm.
Transmission was via a Type 915/44 five-speed gearbox.
Bodywork
Cosmetically, the 911 SC was practically identical to the 3.0 Carrera which had used flared rear fenders to accommodate its 7-inch wide rear wheels.
At this stage, chrome body trim for the headlight shrouds, window frames and door handles was still standard although the Black Look option was becoming increasingly popular.
Otherwise, the 911 SC was largely the same as every other post 1974 model year G-body 911 with an unmistakable silhouette recognised the world over.
Body panels were manufactured exclusively from steel with the exception of the aluminium bumpers.
Interior
Little was changed inside where the dash, five-gauge instrument binnacle and steering wheel were carried over from previous iterations. Porsche also retained the existing high-backed seats and door panels.
Among the minor updates was a new 7000rpm rev counter.
Manual windows were still standard in many markets.
Upholstery options included pinstripe or tartan velour with matching door trim. Leather was available only as an optional extra.
Options
Other optional upgrades included air-conditioning, electric windows, an electric sunroof, sports seats, front and rear spoilers, Bilstein gas-filled dampers, a range of audio equipment and Martini decals. Also available were the aforementioned 16-inch Fuchs wheels with Pirelli P7 tyres along with the Black Pack.
Some importers bundled options together like in the UK where spoilers, Bilstein dampers, Fuchs alloys and sports seats were referred to as the Sport package.
Weight / Performance
The standard 911 SC Coupe weighed in at 1160kg and the Targa was 1210kg.
Porsche quoted a top speed of 140mph and 0-62mph time of 6.4 seconds. This compared to 149mph and 6.2 seconds for the outgoing Carrera 3.0.
USA Version
US variants were 30kg heavier owing to additional emissions equipment that included a two-way catalytic converter.
Instead of the Type 930/03 engine fitted to other derivatives, the US-spec. 911 SC was supplied with either a Type 930/04 engine or Type 930/06 engine if destined for sale in California.
Japanese market 911 SCs came with their own special motor designated Type 930/05.
End of 1978 Model Year K-series Production
Production of the 1978 model year K-series 911 SC began in August 1977 and ran for twelve months. During this time 5178 Coupes and 4308 Targas were completed.
1979 Model Year L-series
The 1979 model year L-series 911 SC followed from August 1978.
Aside from some new colours and revised gear ratios, no major changes were made although Porsche quietly introduced a tuning kit for SC owners that were unhappy with the loss of power compared to the 3.0 Carrera. Only available through Porsche’s Werk 1 facility in Zuffenhausen, the Tuning Kit involved installing larger bores and increasing the compression ratio but added 20% to the car’s price.
In total, 5705 Coupes and 5284 Targas were built during the 1979 model year.
1980 Model Year A-series
For the 1980 model year, Porsche switched to a new 17 digit chassis numbering sequence to replace the existing 10 digit arrangement. Instead of O-series, these 1980 model year cars reverted to an A-series designation.
By this time, Porsche had decided not to discontinue the 911 and calls for more power led to the introduction of a 188bhp engine for markets outside of the USA and Japan.
The uprated Type 930/09 motor came with revised ignition, new camshaft timing and a new timing chain tensioner idler arm. Compression was increased from 8.5:1 to 8.6:1 and the front wing oil cooler was modified to improve heat dissipation. Peak output was 188bhp at 5500rpm but the torque rating was unchanged.
A-series 911 SCs bound for the USA stayed at 180bhp but now came with a three-way catalytic converter and Lambda sensor. To avoid any power loss, the compression ratio was increased to 9.3:1. This new Type 930/07 engine was legal in all 50 states.
Similarly equipped Japanese-spec. 911 SCs were supplied with a Type 930/08 engine.
As a result of dwindling demand, the Sportomatic transmission option was finally dropped.
Cosmetically, the 1980 model year SC came with the Black Look as standard. All cars now came with body coloured headlight shrouds as well.
Inside, the Turbo’s centre console was adopted throughout the range along with a small diameter steering wheel. The rear seat centres were now upholstered to match those in the front.
New options included an alarm and Boge dampers. There was also a new type of warped cheque-pattern seat centre known as Pascha trim which joined the existing pinstripe and tartan offerings.
UK cars came with a stereo and electric antenna as standard.
All cars destined for the USA were now equipped with electric windows and air-conditioning.
911 SC Weissach Special Edition
Porsche also produced a batch of 400 Weissach Special Editions for the US market during the 1980 model year.
They came with fog lights, an electric sunroof, Bilstein dampers, Fuchs wheels with body coloured centres and the spoiler pack. The Weissach Special Edition was available in black or platinum metallic with a grey leather interior and burgundy piping.
1980 model year A-series 911 SC production totals were 4831 Coupes and 4272 Targas.
1981 Model Year B-series
For the 1981 model year B-series 911 SC that was introduced in August 1980, Porsche further uprated the 911 SC with a new Type 930/10 engine that boasted an additional 16bhp.
Compression was increased from 8.6:1 to 9.8:1 and improved Bosch K-Jetronic offered better fuel efficiency.
Peak output was now 204bhp at 5900rpm and the torque rating was 197lb-ft at 4300rpm (up from 195lb-ft at 4200rpm).
Unfortunately, the Type 930/10 engine was not available in the USA or Japan.
Thicker anti-roll bars were fitted to all B-series 911 SCs along with rectangular side repeaters on the front fenders. The anti-corrosion warranty was increased to seven years. A new Sports seat design was added to the options list along with Berber tweed trim.
1981 model year production totalled 4876 Coupes and 3120 Targas.
1982 Model Year C-series
The 1982 model year C-series 911 SC went into production during August 1981. The most significant universal change was an improved heating system that provided more heat at low engine speeds. The Turbo-spec. rear spoiler was switched to one with a slimmer profile.
911 SC Ferry Porsche Special Edition
There was also another special edition, the Ferry Porsche, which was introduced to celebrate Porsche’s 50th anniversary as an auto maker. 200 were built, all of which were finished in Meteor Metallic Grey with burgundy leather and Turbo spoilers.
A prototype 911 SC Cabriolet was then previewed at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1982.
1982 model year production totalled 5892 Coupes and 4163 Targas. There were also four M439-optioned flat nosed Sonderwunsch examples (covered separately).
1983 Model Year D-series
The 1983 model year D-series 911 SC was the last before the 3.2-litre Carrera was introduced. Production started in August 1982.
There was a new exhaust silencer to meet tightening noise requirements while the rear seats could now be equipped with optional three-point safety belts.
More significantly, a 911 SC Cabriolet entered production in October 1982. It featured a reinforced bodyshell and manually operated triple layer hood that was quick and easy to use. Cabriolets came with leather seats and two wing mirrors as standard.
Right-hand drive SC Cabriolet’s were available from February 1983.
D-series production totals were 5761 Coupes, 2688 Targas and 4187 Cabriolets. There was also one Sonderwunsch Coupe.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Porsche - https://www.porsche.com
