Value Guidance on 1982 911SC Cabriolet

aerochip · aerochip's Garage

Car I'm considering is a red on black 1982 911SC cabriolet. Cosmetics look good in pictures but the car is smoking pretty bad now at 115k miles. I already have a 930 and have done the motor on that car, so am not really afraid of a potential top end rebuild. I don't want to spend a lot of time going to look at it unless the price is right, so my question is, what is this car worth with a fresh motor and assuming good cosmetic condition?

wgerow · wgerow's Garage

I don't believe they made a cab in 82.
That would be the first thing to sort out

Komenda Fan · Komenda Fan's Garage

I agree with wgerow, the first 911 cabriolet was the 1983 911 SC, so either this is registered as a 1982 inadvertently, or it is a targa that has been modified into a cabriolet. Less likely that it is a coupe that has been chopped. I would contact Porsche and find out what the vin tells you. This needs to be known before you can determine the value of the car.

JJ 911SC · JJ 911SC's Garage

As per wgerow statement, 1983 was the first Cabriolet year for the 911.

Post the VIN and it will confirm it.

Also a dead give away on a lot of conversion is that there is no Engine Damper (small shock absorber) on the engine mount.

aircool · 02-17-2014, 05:06 PM

Aerochip. If this is the cab being advertised in Lehi, Utah, it is a cab conversion from a 1982 targa. Owner was honest when I called and asked if it was a conversion. As others have noted, the first SC cab came out in 1983.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

These conversions were somewhat popular in the late 80s/early 90s. There were kits advertised in Hemmings, among other places for $5K. For that you got a crude top mechanism made of steel bars, top fabric and the mounts. The Porsche factory cab top parts are beautifully (and expensively) made so you can tell quickly what's what.

A converted Targa is worth what a Targa is minus the cost of reinstalling the Targa parts (and top).

I would advise approaching the car only if it is being sold at "parts value,"

aerochip · aerochip's Garage

Aircool - thank you for saving me a bunch of time, that is the car. Appreciate the additional input from all - this conversion is one I'm going to pass on.