When is a Carrera not a Carrera ?
 

Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe | eBay

I have been reading a lot about the earlier Carrera's, the C3. The cars have a real heritage and checking prices based on rarity they seem to have become very desirable. My question is, is a C3 without the motor still a C3 ?. It seems to me the early Carrera should be complete for the value and feel of the car. The example above is a 75 and I would prefer a 74 if I could find one I liked. What does the PP braintrust think, is there an advantage in a C3 with a 3.2 ?

The ad says it's a 76 and the VIN says it's a 77.

Is there any difference between a 77 C3 and a euro 78-79 SC, aside from price?

They might have use the manufacture date vice the Model year.

Serial "0205" was definitely build in 1976.

9117300205 is a NOT a carrera

but decodes as a 1977 911 2.7 coupe euro

Got to love today's descriptions.... Decribed as a Euro spec C3 carrera..... Can't be a 3C spec w/ a 3.2.....

Another favorite is a RS spec motor with carbs.....Can't be RS spec w/ carbs!

As the Pasta man says its not a Euro C3 any longer, just a non galvanized MY car with a 3.2.
There can be a danger of too much research, I think your goal of a Euro SC was a lot easier, and had potentially less pitfalls than finding a C3. The Carrera 3.0's are red hot right now and trading above the SC and Carreras. Good examples are hard to find and remember a lot are pre galvanized. A 74 is a great car if you can find one not needing extensive rust repair, but will be a lot more $ than the 30k you had set aside for that Euro SC you wanted.

To me the white car that sounded like a winner. Have you tried re approaching the seller, maybe the nephew lost interest

Rivard Compétition - Performance, exotic and race car workshop

I think I've seen this car on Ebay, but gives you a good idea of what you are likely to spend.

That blue car from Rivard is not a 3.0 liter.

Both cars are not C3! I will be restoring a '77 C3 once I finish my '77 911s. Can't wait!

The OP was talking about wanting a 74 Carrera. I might be wrong but AFAIK all 74 Carreras were 2.7 cars

Correct, all but the very limited RSR were 2.7l in '74. But the header of the Rivard listing says 3.0l even though the details below state 2.7.