Classic Porsches are red hot these days. It feels like everyone wants to experience the goodness of a Porsche 911’s air-cooled engine.
While some collectors prefer the earliest 911s for their style and technical simplicity, others recommend buying the newest versions to maximize performance. Models from the late ’70s and early ‘80s are the best bargain in Porsche performance.
Improving the Breed
Porsche has constantly been improving the 911 since it was released in 1964 with a two-liter six-cylinder engine. Year after year, the design evolved to get more power, better handling, and bigger wings. Porsche tries everything.
1978 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa 3.0L flat six
The air-cooled Porsche 911 SC debuted in 1978 with a three-liter, aluminum-block version of the classic flat-six powerplant. A five-speed manual was standard. This aluminum block is considered reasonably reliable, while the previously used 2.7-liter magnesium block is regarded as temperamental at best.
Shop now for the Porsche 911 SC
In 1984, Porsche replaced the 911SC with the classic Carrera nameplate, revived after a seven-year hiatus. This model year also saw a bump in displacement to 3.2 liters, introducing an electronic fuel injection system to improve driveability.
Between 1987 and 1988, an upgraded five-speed transmission (known as the G50 transmission) made shifting more precise than the old 915 gearbox. Most owners specifically call out the G50 gearbox when selling their cars, and prices are accordingly higher.
Buying an Air-Cooled Porsche 911
1978 Porsche 911 SC Targa
One downside to air-cooled 911s is the passenger compartment heating and cooling. This is likely due to its humble Volkswagen Beetle roots. The Bug was never great in the HVAC department. Thankfully, these generations are available with a cabriolet top and a hard Targa top, allowing better airflow.
The Targa top is less prized among Porsche enthusiasts, so the prices are lower. That creates another opportunity to get into the Porsche market at a reasonable price.
1978 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa = air-cooled motoring with an open roof
We love these cars for their longevity. Porsche wisely began galvanizing the steel bodies of the 911 beginning in 1976, ensuring that perforating rust is minimized. Of course, body damage can disrupt the galvanizing, allowing moisture to seep in and inviting rust down the road. Unless you are handy with a welder, we recommend avoiding a car with previous damage.
A 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa lurks in the shadows.
Porsche mechanical components are reasonably simple to maintain, and OEM parts are widely available on eBay Motors. Moreover, a big community of enthusiasts ensures that the know-how to work on these cars is a click away. If you prefer to outsource the work, you’ll find specialists in most cities and towns.
The 911SC and 3.2 Carrera models are no longer cheap. Until recently, some were available for under $20k, but those days are over. Nonetheless, there is still a lot of life in this market, and eBay Motors provides a large selection of great choices.
