This 1981 Porsche 911SC Targa was modified under prior ownership with a 3.6-liter M64 flat-six engine paired with a rebuilt 5-speed 915 manual gearbox. Professionally refinished in Guards Red over a black interior, the car also features upgraded air conditioning, GIAC performance software, a short shifter, enhanced brakes and suspension, an M&K exhaust system, and more. Acquired by the seller in May 2023 from the previous owner of approximately 18 years, this example has since received additional maintenance and is now being offered for auction out of Virginia accompanied by extensive build documentation.
The exterior received a full glass-out refinish in Guards Red and seal replacements at a Porsche dealership in March 2007 at 97,463 miles. Equipment includes a black Targa bar with a removable roof panel, upgraded H4 headlights, a custom lower front valance with integrated fog lights, black quarter panel stone guards, European-style rear bumperettes, and a rear whale tail spoiler. Under current ownership, 17" Maxilight Fuchs-style wheels were installed, measuring 8” wide in front and 9” in the rear, mounted with new Continental Sport tires sized 225/45ZR17 and 255/40ZR17, respectively. New Porsche crest center caps were also fitted, and the Targa latches were replaced. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a damage-free CARFAX report.
Inside, the cabin features black upholstery and aftermarket front bucket seats. Audio upgrades include an Alpine CDA-9815 head unit with aux input compatibility, a Pioneer 400W MOSFET amplifier, and Infinity Reference 6"x9" and 6" speakers. The heat system remains fully functional with Carrera-style footwell blowers and a 3-speed fan bypass switch on the engine. Air conditioning has been updated with a 964-style compressor and a Griffith kit for R134 refrigerant. The pedal assembly and shift coupling were reportedly rebuilt using brass bushings. Upon the seller's acquisition, a MOMO steering wheel was installed, and the carpet was removed and replaced with a black plush OEM-style set sourced from Pelican Parts.
Under previous ownership, a 993-sourced 3.6-liter flat-six engine was installed in 2007, paired with a rebuilt 5-speed 915 manual transmission featuring a Patrick Motorsports lightweight flywheel, a Sachs Power clutch kit, and a short shifter. The engine was reportedly overhauled and modified in 2004 with Bosch Motronic engine management, twin-plug ignition, a GIAC ECU chip, and an M&K exhaust system. The battery was replaced in 2023, and the engine compartment insulation has been removed. A host of build documentation is provided in the gallery, additional mechanical modifications under prior ownership include the following:
This sale will include a clean title, a toolkit, a spare tire, a car cover, and documents showing the technical specifications for engine conversion & other mechanical modifications.
The seller would like you to know: “This 1981 911SC Targa has been extensively modified with a 993 engine, upgraded suspension, improved braking and cooling systems, and a modernized air conditioning setup—making it a joy to drive. It’s fast, stable, and well-balanced, offering performance comparable to much newer non-air-cooled 911s, while remaining lightweight and engaging. The cabin is comfortable, with strong heat via the footwell blower, a quality sound system, and upgraded cold A/C. Finished in shiny Guards Red (code 027) over a black interior, it sits with a great stance on 17" Fuchs-style wheels. It sounds fantastic, has no known leaks, and is in excellent mechanical and engine condition.”
Comments (70)
Sold for $62,000
Jahan, Looks like a great build. You have done an outstanding job in presentation and pointing out the positives. There always seems to be something that needs work. Given your knowledge of the car, what outstanding issues are there? Are there any functional items that don't perform as required?
Thanks for your work in getting this pulled together in such a detailed presentation
John
$62,000 offer from Santa Cruz, CA (95062)
The last air cooled engine 993 Twin plug is the best!
Very expensive to source, rebuild & install in older cars.
It is a very special car. All my cars are restomods. Better power, brakes & handling than stock but with classic looks.
This one sounds amazing & really reves up quickly!
Thanks Jahan! I can see you love your cars! I love this one!
I wish you could see the car in person & test drive it.
Classic 911 Targa looks, very nice paint, great interior last but not least a fantastic engine. I would estimate 275 + hp!
I will entertain a reasonable offer below my cost listed here.
Good Luck
Nice car. Would certainly be interested but we are way too far apart.
Bid in the amount of $57,911
Bid in the amount of $55,000
Bid in the amount of $53,911
Bid in the amount of $52,911
Bid in the amount of $52,500
Bid in the amount of $50,250
Bid in the amount of $50,000
Bid in the amount of $42,000
Bid in the amount of $34,911
Bid in the amount of $33,750
Bid in the amount of $32,500
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q17LqsRabeHy1PN39
Sorry
Herahttps://photos.app.goo.gl/Q17LqsRabeHy1PN39
is a video of startup from the rear ignition switch in the engine compartment
Bid in the amount of $32,000
Bid in the amount of $30,911
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $25,911
Jaakoba
Which sticker are you referring to?
Bid in the amount of $25,000
No idea about the seats. very nice and comfortable and in good shape . they came with the car. previous owner was a big guy and he wanted seats that are more comfortable but with good grip. yes they both recline and roll
Thanks @jahan for the clarification and additional information. Adding to @Vwrabbitgti question about the seats: are they on rollers or fixed in position?
Any idea what those seats are?
Bid in the amount of $23,000
Cars destined for California need a catalytic converter. I believe the C03 option designates the car as a California type car. I believe this is needed if the car is to pass the bi-yearly smog tests we have to pass to register the car. Is there a C03 on the model sticker?
@Jaakoba Thanks for your comment
I do not see any reason for the car not pass CA emissions inspection . It is exempt in VA so we have not done it here.
The car is a beauty and looks to be great motor upgrade. Do you know if this car would pass California emissions test?
Yes the new engine as described in the spread sheet is twin plug.
Engine cooling no problem at all as the oil cooling system was upgraded. Have never experienced engine running too hot even in hot summer days with AC on.
AC works great and blows cold.
Targa top is in good shape . Never driven the car in rain. Only one Time in car wash to test and surprisingly it was good . Only a few drops made it on the inside door glass .
Bid in the amount of $22,420
Hi @Jahan nice ride.
3 quick questions:
1. The replacement engine, is it double plugged? This statement “overhauled and modified in 2004 with Bosch Motronic engine management, twin-plug ignition” reads like it was done prior to engine switch out. But to which engine?
2. Bigger engine & enhanced A/C…how is the cooling? Have you considered a second oil cooler? A good addition for the new owner?
3. When was the targa top stretched? Is it water tight or do you just drive in the sun. On one of my cars I had to break down the top and put it in the frunk as I couldn’t fit it behind the front seats. Learned best to not fold up the targa. Maybe the tech/material has changed?
Thank you.
James
Bid in the amount of $20,000
Ok, makes sense: picture 95 shows that if the speedometer was upright, you couldn't see the speed after about 60 mph because of the steering wheel. Thanks for the clarification.
@Richbob because of the steering wheel
you can see better when speedometer is in garbage of 0 to 120
Just a dumb question: why is the speedometer turned 90 degrees?
Bid in the amount of $12,750
@Greyboxer
Please note the following:
Car was bought on 05/28/2023 on bat auction & mileage was listed as 108,000 miles which was consistent with owners records & the summary of build sheet (Pictures on gallery) . Carfax from that time ( Pictures in gallery) did not show any issues with the previous Maryland Title. Maryland title showed actual mileage of 83,155 as of 12/09/05 . Unfortunately, as seen on the pictures of the back of Maryland title, the previous owner checked box 1 by mistake & corrected his mistake on box 2 & initialed it. Virginia DMV did not accept the owner's corrections on the tile. I tried to have the owner resolve the issue by applying for a duplicate title but could not get a hold of him. The current mileage of 109,296 is accurate based on the 108,000 mileage when I bought the car. It shows that the car was driven about 1,300 miles in 2 years & 2 months since I bought the car & that is accurate based on my occasional use of the car & given all the other cars that I own.
There is no way that the odometer was rolled over since it was bought or any reason to tamper with the odometer reading.
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Greyboxer
thanks for your comment and question
I need to upload a few pictures related to this issue and will reply agin and post pictures when I am back this afternoon. on the road now!
Description says clean title, but carfax says branded title?
tomorrow 8:30 to 11 or after
3:30 will be ok with me
@Jahan sorry, as there but didn’t see you. It was packed! Great event
Bid in the amount of $12,500
Bid in the amount of $12,000
@ Cars and Coffee now
Kanstrei
Here is a link to pictures of my cars
https://photos.app.goo.gl/f4neMqzgg3nCKc8m9. The red SC coupe was a nice one too & was sold last year
Thank you for your comment.
Yes this build was done very professionally & the engine is just fantastic. Works like clock. Vey smooth and loves to rev. Everything else on the car is functional & in good shape with updated Cold AC.
I have multiple Porsche , BMW & Mercedes. Given my age & health condition, I decided to keep one of each. So Vey tough decision between this & the 84 Euro 930 Slant nose that I bought here at Pcar s few years ago. It is just absolutely beautiful. The Traga has a more modern engine and better acceleration. But when the Turbo kicks in the slant nose 930 feels like a whole different car with 335 tires in the bac
I did intend to keep the Targa and that's why I changed to Fuchs wheels & a classic Porsche steering wheel. It needs nothing & starts right up every time & sounds amazing like a race engine .
Among my BMW's the choice is clear . just finished a multi year & very expensive restoration of a 1972 Euro E9. 3.0 CSI. Which is now 3.7 M90 with Megasquirt.
Beautiful car. With so many of these all hacked up it is great to see a car where everything fits together. Why sell it?
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
This sat should be nice there.
@Jahan I know it well... thanks!
Katie's Coffee House
760 Walker Rd
Great Falls, VA 22066
@Jahan which cars & coffee location?
will be at cars
and coffee a Saturday at 6:30 till 8:30
sure
let me know when you like to check out the car
I live in Herndon and would love to stop by to see the car. Was service for this car performed at Intersport Performance?
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Thanks Creesey
Very smooth with lots of power. Loves to rev up there!
Engine sounds amazing. Very nice SC Targa.
There are 3 big binders of records and manuals related to this build covering, engine, electrical, ecu, wiring harness, suspension, clutch transmission and etc.
Engine is very strong and runs perfectly. I did not need to do compression or leak . Not too many mikes since complete engine rebuild.
Down test. Clutch is fine
Hi, nice looking SC. Would you have any compression/leak down figures? Any other records of repairs/maintenance? How about the clutch?
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.