1983 Porsche 911 Targa

Description

From the very moment you put the key in the ignition of this 1983 Porsche 911SC Targa, you will know precisely why Porsche is among the most respected names in the entire automotive world. Prepare to be amazed as you check out this quintessential legendary sports car. Well-maintained and still a blast to drive, this '80s dream car is every bit as impressive as it was 37 years ago. Read fast, because this one won't last long.

Isn't it amazing how some colors just look like they belong on a particular body style? No question about it, the incredibly slick Silver Metallic finish that adorns this automobile is a perfect match for the sleek lines of the 911SC. The paint looks to be original to the car, which makes sense based on the history of this Targa (lifelong Texas car; low miles for the year; never been in an accident), and it still shines up incredibly well. The lights in our showroom don't really do it justice, because this baby really comes to life out in the sunshine. The finish looks very fresh for its age with virtually no signs of use, including chip-free front fenders and hood and only one touch-up spot on the bumper that we could find. Bottom line, it's not an Excellence Magazine show car that should never be driven, but rather a sporty 911 that any enthusiast would be proud to show off. All the plastic and rubber trim is in great shape as well, with none of the common cracking and fading that plagued many of these era Porsches, and the contrast of that black trim perfectly accentuates the overall appearance of this Frog. The wraparound red taillight/reflector displays the Porsche name with a boldness that reminds you what a legendary car this is, and the glass was tinted for an added sinister look. And perhaps most important of all, the vinyl Targa top is easily removed for open air fun without the added weight that came with the convertible models. Man, this is a heck of a Porsche!

If you're a Porsche aficionado, you'll have a hard time containing your enthusiasm once you hear the unforgettable sound of a 911 door being opened. It's deliberate and authoritative. If you've ever heard it, you know what we're talking about. Inside, the black leather interior looks far more contemporary than the car's age would suggest, with high-back buckets that are supportive but not constricting, perfect for high-speed blasts along your twisting mountain road or a long distance trip to the coast. The pleated seats are in fantastic shape, as are the matching door panels and the factory carpets below. It's very obvious that muddy shoes and dirty jeans were never allowed inside this import, because it's remarkably clean everywhere you look with very little signs of use. The factory VDO instruments, with the big tach front and center in traditional Porsche fashion, are in excellent shape and there's a fat leather-stitched steering wheel with the traditional Porsche floating horn button. An Alpine AM/FM/CD/Satellite stereo head unit appears to be the only deviation from stock, albeit a welcomed one, and other factory options include power windows, cruise control, and factory air conditioning. Finishing off the factory specs this car delivers a traditional Porsche feel with floor-hinged pedals, a 5-speed shifter that takes a firm hand to master, and a rear seat area that's more for storage than passengers. Up front, the boot is finished in gray fabric and houses an Alpine amplifier for the stereo system along with the original spare tire set-up and tool kit.

The SC came with a robust 3.0-liter air-cooled flat six engine, which, thanks to several durability enhancements, was one of the better Porsche products of the 1980s. It's insanely torquey and with smart gear ratios in the 5-speed manual transmission, it screams out of the hole with a tenor wail that any car guy can recognize a mile away. Unlike most of its siblings, it's quite stock (aside from an upgraded K&N air filter system), which is important for both longevity and drivability, and there are signs of proper maintenance throughout the engine bay. The A/C has been converted to R134a refrigerant, but otherwise the engine bay is as Porsche engineers intended and you'll never hesitate to turn the key and head out on the road. Traditional 16-inch Fuchs alloys with polished beauty rings give it a familiar Porsche look and carry staggered 205/55/16 front and 225/50/16 rear Michelin performance radials that are nice and grippy.

Any 911 is going to be an awesome car, but if you're looking for one with movie star looks, a bargain price, and has the performance to make you smile, look no farther than this SC. Offered with maintenance records, service manuals, original owner's manuals, and it's original warranty card, this is the 911SC to have if originality is what you seek. Call today!