The sports car doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be charming, powerful, fast, and exciting. The right sports cars need their flaws because flaws make a character, and character is what makes it memorable and iconic. When you go out for a drive, you want to experience that character, not spend another forgettable afternoon in a car that does everything so right that it makes driving dull. For many 911 fans, looking for a perfect Porsche means going for the newer and technologically superior model, but it is a mistake. If you want to capture that character and experience the essence of Porsche 911, you have to accept that the less is more and go for earlier models, which might be slower, but ultimately much more exciting. 

The car you need is a Porsche 911 SC. The SC was sold for just five years and wasn’t significantly different from the rest of the model lineup. Still, it was powerful enough to get you in trouble, comfortable enough to be a daily driver, full of character and tricky handling, and ready to make your day as soon as you turn the key. In our opinion, all of this makes it more memorable than any modern 911. 

The Facts

This 911 was introduced in 1978 as a replacement for Carrera trim level. It featured a desirable wide-body rear end, a more powerful 3.0-liter, flat-six engine, better equipment, and a new name – 911 SC, which stood for “Super Carrera.” Initially available in two body styles, coupe, and Targa, 911 SC was sold as convertible in 1983, as the first factory-produced 911 convertible ever made. The 911 SC appeared in exciting times for Porsche as a company since its launch corresponded with the introduction of the Porsche 928, which was destined to replace the 911 model range. However, as we know, that never happened, and the success of SC, with almost 59,000 examples sold in just five years, helped convince the board to keep the 911 in production. 

All 911 SC had a 3.0-liter, flat-six engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system with 180 hp, initially. In 1981, engines were upgraded to 201 hp, slightly improving the performance. With 0 to 60 mph time in about 6.5 seconds and 140 mph top speed, the SC was a very competent sports car by the standards of the day.