Vehicle Description
1978 Porsche 911 SC Coupe VIN 9118200471
471th built of the L-Series out of 2,436 produced in 1978
Completed September 1977 for the 1978-year model, finished in
classic black with an original beige interior. A low-mile example
is in beautiful condition and in excellent mechanical condition.
The 911SC's were the most durable Porsche's ever built and the way
this car has held up proves this. Truly one of the best 911
Porsche's ever built and a dream to drive!
Specification
Horizontally opposed, overhead-cam, six-cylinder 3.0L flat six,
aluminum engine. Capable of outputting 172 HP at 5,500 RPM with 189
ft-lb of torque at 4200 RPM. 915/61 five-speed manual transmission.
The front suspension consists of MacPherson struts with single
lower transverse A-arms. Rear suspension is independent with
semi-trailing arms.
Porsche 911SC (1978-1983)
In 1978, Porsche introduced the new version of the 911, called the
'911SC'. Porsche reintroduced the SC designation for the first time
since the 356SC (as distinguished from the race engined 356
Carrera). There was no Carrera version of the 911SC. It featured a
3.0-litre engine with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection and a 5-speed
915 transmission. Originally power output was 180 bhp, later 188
bhp and then in 1981, it was increased to 204 bhp. In 1981 a
Cabriolet concept car was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Not only was the car a true convertible, but it also featured
four-wheel drive, although this was dropped in the production
version. The first 911 Cabriolet debuted in late 1982, as a 1983
model. This was Porsche's first cabriolet since the 1965 Porsche
356. It proved very popular with 4,214 sold in its introductory
year, despite its premium price relative to the open-top targa.
Cabriolet versions of the 911 have been offered ever since
1983.
It was during this time, that Porsche AG decided the long-term fate
of the 911. In 1979 Porsche had made plans to replace the 911 with
their new Porsche 928. Sales of the 911 remained so strong,
however, that Porsche revised its strategy and decided to inject
new life into the 911 editions. 911 SC sales totaled 58,914
cars.
Peter W. Schutz (CEO Porsche AG 1981-1987) wrote: The decision to
keep the 911 in the product line occurred one afternoon in the
office of Dr. Helmuth Bott, the Porsche operating board member
responsible for all engineering and development. I noticed a chart
on the wall of Professor Bott's office. It depicted the ongoing
development schedules for the three primary Porsche product lines:
Porsche 944, Porsche 928 and 911. Two of them stretched far into
the future, but the 911 program stopped at the end of 1981. I
remember rising from my chair, walking over to the chart, taking a
black marker pen, and extending the 911 program bar clean off the
chart. I am sure I heard a silent cheer from Professor Bott, and I
knew I had done the right thing. The Porsche 911, the company icon,
had been saved, and I believe the company was saved with it.
