Detailed SC information requested

[irrational_e]

Hi there.

I am in the process of purchasing my 2nd 911 SC. I missed my old one way too much! Both are ROW models.
The new one has some anomalies that I would like to confirm with people that are experts on these cars.

Firstly my previous car (Now doing very successful duty in classic racing as a Rothmans RS replica. I sold it at 315 000km with its original, unopened enigne and gearbox.)

Silver 1980 LHD SC, Foglights, Aircon, Leather interior (The dash was also covered in leather)
15"telephone dials rims which I grew into. They were lovely on this car.
Bought at 212000km. Drove for 6 years.

The new car (with questions):
1980 LHD SC - VIN end in 134809, making it one of the last 1980 cars.
Colourcode L895 (Weinrot metallic). This is only listed officially from 1981?
Is this because it is a late model that it has a 1981 colour? This should make it fairly rare.

Lower side sills underneath the rubber strip are painted black? The car has had a respray , but I was assured it is as original. The colourcode bears out, but the black bottoms are strange. I have never seen this on any 911 photo. - Edit: NEver mind. I found out this is a rubberizing that was done with the repaint to protect against stonechips. I think another proper respray is on the cards anyway.

No funny extras on this car. No fog lights, no aircon. So its as light as they come!
Has original, unpainted 15" ATS rims.
It does have the SC sports seats though. The owner said the centers were cloth?
This seems strange on a sports seat. He had it replaced with leather, which looks great.

The dashboard is not covered in leather like the previous one. The shape of the dash is also different in that the front edge has that lip from the later cars. Did the dash change from 1980 - 1981, or was the leather in my old one an anomaly?

Another strange thing is that apparently it had no passenger side mirror. This one was added later. Which I would keep, as its safer. I have never seen one with only a driver side mirror before though. Was this even possible?
EDIT: Remembered that this was an option...Not sure I want to return to no passenger mirror. Not in modern traffic!
261 Passenger side mirror - electric - plain
262 Outside mirror for passenger side, plain, manual

The car feels very, very strong. Much stronger than my old SC. Is there a chance that such a late 1980 has the 204bhp engine? Is there a way to check this?

EDIT: Oh yes. One more question. This car does not have the white sticker on the bonnet lid for paint and option codes. Was this white sticker standard on all cars and likely just got lost with the repaint?
I don't remember my old one having the sticker either. But it was also repainted. Is there a nother way of checking options or should I contact Porsche themselves to find out?


Any info would be much appreciated. I don't have great photos yet, just some cellphone ones from my friend. Will get better ones when I take delivery.

[rs6er]

The dash looks the same as my '81 SC (US spec). Yours appears to be a European car. Possibly the right mirror was an option there.

[Josh D]

Check the engine code stamp on the case near the oil pressure gauge. If it says 930/09, you have the 188 hp engine. If 930/10, you have the high compression 204 hp engine.

[irrational_e]

A better pic of the dash. Unfortuantely I couldn't find a good pic of my old one's dash.



Just for comparison...the old one with its telephone dials. I still think it looks great with the silver.

[irrational_e]

Originally Posted by Josh D

Check the engine code stamp on the case near the oil pressure gauge. If it says 930/09, you have the 188 hp engine. If 930/10, you have the high compression 204 hp engine.

Thanks Josh.
I will have a look as soon as I have the car. Hopefully within a week.
I also realise that at this age a well-maintained 188 may feel as powerful as a 204 that was badly maintained.

[KNS]

Great looking car - love the phone dials!

[irrational_e]

Originally Posted by KNS

Great looking car - love the phone dials!

I loved the silver. But when I sold her, she turned into this:
Still quite impressive though! Beautiful on track. I also believe she is still street legal and has the original engine, but reconditioned gearbox.

[irrational]

Originally Posted by Josh D

Check the engine code stamp on the case near the oil pressure gauge. If it says 930/09, you have the 188 hp engine. If 930/10, you have the high compression 204 hp engine.

Hi again. I tried to have a look at the engine type having taken delivery of the car today, but I couldn't find it.
Do I have to be under the car to see the type number?
Can you please explain to me exactly where it would be?

On a further note I was ecstatic to find it still had its full original tools and tool bag. Its very complete and original and the engine pulls like new. Some signs of wear on the steering wheel is about the only thing. Its only done 144000km.
I am already in love...

Some brief shots I had time to take before it became too dark.

[Bob Kontak]

I replaced my 81 leather dash with a Porsche vinyl one. The leather dash was definitely different. My vinyl one looks like yours.

[Reiver]

My '83 has the same dash and looks excellent after 28 years because it is vinyl and not leather. Leather seats good, leather dash bad.

[Joe Bob]

Engine type is near the engine serial number, to the right of the crank pulley.

[nineball]

it has the correct sport seats. that style ended in 80 (or was it 81, i forget). i have a pair waiting to be installed in the spring.

[irrational]

Thanks for the help!
The engine type is correct at 930/09. Its just pulling like a train! Much better than my previous 1980.
I now firmly believe that people are correct when they say there is no huge on the road difference between a good SC and an average Carrera 3.2. The light weight is certainly making itself felt in the curves too. A real pleasure.

I have since had a good drive and this car is in truly wonderful condition.
Travelling about 500km freeway and then 150km city returned 9.4 l/100km (25mpg). That was mostly 130-140kph (80-87mph) and one little stretch at 230kph(143mph). I had to see if she could!

I believe the dash may just be vinyl because its late 1980 as I can't find any evidence of it ever being replaced. Especially since the car has only 144000km (87000 miles).

The sports seats are great too! I drove 5 hours non-stop and felt no aches and pains. It grips tightly but not uncomfortably. I would like a little more lumbar support I think. But the seats are great.

Very happily smitten all over again. 911s Are just wonderful!

[Greek55]

Originally Posted by nineball

it has the correct sport seats. that style ended in 80 (or was it 81, i forget). i have a pair waiting to be installed in the spring.

[nineball]

yep, 80. this is mine.

[ybn533]

Hi,
Very nice seats!

Where can I buy seats like that?

They will be great on my 79 Targa. Need to change the covers anyway.

Thanks
Yaron

[nineball]

i got my set at hershey last year.

[Josh D]

Originally Posted by irrational

Thanks for the help!
The engine type is correct at 930/09. Its just pulling like a train! Much better than my previous 1980.
I now firmly believe that people are correct when they say there is no huge on the road difference between a good SC and an average Carrera 3.2. The light weight is certainly making itself felt in the curves too. A real pleasure.

The 930/09 is a great motor! Maybe a bit underrated at 188 hp. I've only driven two 911's, my '80 RoW coupe, and a '84 3.2 Carrera Targa. Both were being sold by the same dealer and I drove them back to back. I was wanting a 3.2 coupe, but the dealer (basically a 911 flipper) said that my '80 SC was one of the fastest stock SC's he had driven and I would not be disappointed. My SC was clearly the faster of the two. Not a big sample by any means for a comparison, and the Carrera did have more miles, but the cars were in similar condition.

I imagine adding SSI's and it would easily put out numbers equal to US spec 3.2 Carrera's.