I have an '83 SC and while I could talk for days about how amazing it is, Peter Zimmerman in his The Used 911 Story states it best: "There is a certain feel to an 83SC something intangible maybe unexplainable when in one... everything is right." He concludes with Porsche finishes "the CIS era with one of the best cars ever built--by anybody."
I have an 83 SC and can tell you that this guy needs to spend more time in "older" cars. They've not been engineered within an inch of their lives; the car is visceral. Yeah, it's NOT new. That's the whole purpose of owing one of these. Let's stop comparing these pieces of automotive art to the new cars. As I tell everyone who will listen, "When I start thinking about buying a new(er) Porsche, I go for a drive in mine. That desire evaporates immediately." Just some ruminations from an older long-term SC owner.
83SC owner here. Love the driving experience in mine and the CIS, when it is well sorted, starts every time and makes all the right noises with the right exhaust. Fantastic car.
These are NOT the original wheels for the car. When you opted the 16" you would get a 6" front and 7" rear. These look like 7" front and 8" rear, which if fine, just not the original configuration. FYI, the SCs 15" Fuchs were standard in 7" front and 8" rear, so wider than the 16" option, but they did use skinnier tires (195 front and 215 rear). 4:45 Also, the SC does have power brakes (vacuum). Nathan, you out there? ;)
Ok, I'm a bit of a Porsche geek and grew up with these cars, have owned 2 and a later Carrera and still own a '76 (that looks like a 84-86 Carrera), and you guys are the PCA so your word carries authority. In this light please excuse my nerding out on details: - The US spec SC had 180hp in 78 and 79, 188hp in 1980 and 204hp from 81 to 83. That is a difference that you can feel. - Vacuum assist was installed on all 911 braking systems from 77 on. This car def has power assisted brakes. I am surprised to hear that the clutch was easy to modulate; 911s of that era always had a friction point that coincided with the clutch assist spring dropping it's assist levels which made the pedal "pop" just as you were starting to move and was one of the hardest things for inexperienced 911 drivers to get comfortable with. And the steering requiring effort? C'mon... 😛
Always love nerding out with our viewers! The US-spec 1978-1983 911 SC had 180 DIN horsepower, though we did list the wrong torque number, which increased to 189 lb-ft for later SCs including the 1983 model. The RoW models you are talking about did receive the horsepower increases you mention, but they were not sold in the US. Damon is extremely embarrassed for not catching himself during the drive or during editing, because of course 911 SCs had power brakes. He also says this about the clutch: "The clutch pedal of a good air-cooled 911 is one of the tougher things for inexperienced drivers to get comfortable with, but once familiar they're a cinch to operate while pulling a way from a stop. For me, slowing down upshifts is probably the hardest thing to do every time I get into an air-cooled car with a 915 transmission."
@@PorscheClubofAmerica I always drive mine, a 1979 911SC with the window part down, and listen to the engine, in total synchronicity. A paradigm that's difficult to match!!
I own a 83 SC. You are spot on with regard to the gearbox and the pedal arrangement making it hard to heel-toe. Apart from that, it’s an exceptional car to drive. I drive mine virtually everyday.
Hello! I drive a SC (mild) hot rod. It's perfect. SC is the answer, unless you can afford a long hood. Buy the oldest Porsche you can afford is my motto.
I SO miss my Guards Red on Black '80 911 SC.. I kick my own butt everyday for selling it !! I want it back ! However, I do love my '99 996 Gen 1 w/ COLD A/C here in the south.
Own a '80 911SC and I love, love this car would not dream of ever selling this baby. I use it as a daily driver. I also own a 1962 356 that I mostly drive during the fall season.
I have had a soft spot for SC's since they were introduced. You need one more numerical factor, and that's 'Emotional Attachment,' and it would be a 10 in my book. Guards Red can't be beat, but the factory brown colors are also beauties.
Fun video. I liked seeing how surprised you were with your own scores. I was surprised too. I’m trying to get into the air cooled market and this video is certainly helping me. An SC with air conditioning and cruise control (and meticulous, current maintenance!) might be the one. I’m not wealthy enough just to look at it, I’d have to use it. Thanks again.
I’m in the same boat as far as “having to use it”: I’ve put 26,000 miles on my ‘81 in 5 years. These things really love to be driven. Plus owning one of these and NOT driving it is criminal, akin to owning a thoroughbred race horse and not letting the poor thing out of the stable! It’s really a shame that regular car guys are being priced out of the market for these cars, you definitely have to want one to own one if you’re not wealthy! But the experience of driving and maintaining one is definitely rewarding in a way few other cars offer. And, there is a strong community, factory and aftermarket support for these machines. What more could a car guy/gal want? There aren’t too many 40-50 year old cars I can think of that are as well made as these hand built marvels. If you have a garage, jack stands, a low rise floor jack, a good metric tool set and a willingness to learn, you can do most of the maintenance on these cars yourself. Drive it/Break it/Fix it/Repeat!
This was spot on for me as a 911 SC owner.The gearbox is in my view its weakest part.More so in stop and go traffic.The best daily driver out of the all 911 has got to be the 997 Gen2.
PCA Your handling review of this SC makes me wonder if an earlier narrow-bodied 911 might be more fun for the average driver as long as they stay in the 5-7/10ths driving range. I’m thinking that it has to do with the wider rear tires on an SC. I’m sure they give more grip in the rear, but I’m thinking they also contribute to that initial understeer too. I’m wondering if the earlier cars are more eager to turn in thus more lively as long as you don’t push them too far. Your thoughts?
I have an '83 SC and while I could talk for days about how amazing it is, Peter Zimmerman in his The Used 911 Story states it best: "There is a certain feel to an 83SC something intangible maybe unexplainable when in one... everything is right." He concludes with Porsche finishes "the CIS era with one of the best cars ever built--by anybody."
I have an 83 SC and can tell you that this guy needs to spend more time in "older" cars. They've not been engineered within an inch of their lives; the car is visceral. Yeah, it's NOT new. That's the whole purpose of owing one of these. Let's stop comparing these pieces of automotive art to the new cars. As I tell everyone who will listen, "When I start thinking about buying a new(er) Porsche, I go for a drive in mine. That desire evaporates immediately." Just some ruminations from an older long-term SC owner.
Second that! These machines are so amazing that some think they're in a modern sports car. Fun factor 10+
Third that. I have a 964, and that’s about as modern as I need. Every time I start it up, the stuff in the showroom just doesn’t matter.
"Automotive art" is a stretch, but I agree otherwise.
83SC owner here. Love the driving experience in mine and the CIS, when it is well sorted, starts every time and makes all the right noises with the right exhaust. Fantastic car.
I drove an '83 SC through the 90s while living in LA, what a fun car!
LOVE the reviews of the older cars!
Firstly, thank goodness for Peter Schutz (and rest in peace Mr Schutz). I definitely missed my window to get one of these when they were "affordable."
I've owned my triple black 83 SC cab since 2012 which is a RoW car and benefits from the 204hp motor. Wouldn't think of selling her.
These are NOT the original wheels for the car. When you opted the 16" you would get a 6" front and 7" rear.
These look like 7" front and 8" rear, which if fine, just not the original configuration.
FYI, the SCs 15" Fuchs were standard in 7" front and 8" rear, so wider than the 16" option, but they did use skinnier tires (195 front and 215 rear).
4:45 Also, the SC does have power brakes (vacuum).
Nathan, you out there? ;)
The more I drive my SC, the more I love it, they're great cars.
Ok, I'm a bit of a Porsche geek and grew up with these cars, have owned 2 and a later Carrera and still own a '76 (that looks like a 84-86 Carrera), and you guys are the PCA so your word carries authority. In this light please excuse my nerding out on details:
- The US spec SC had 180hp in 78 and 79, 188hp in 1980 and 204hp from 81 to 83. That is a difference that you can feel.
- Vacuum assist was installed on all 911 braking systems from 77 on. This car def has power assisted brakes.
I am surprised to hear that the clutch was easy to modulate; 911s of that era always had a friction point that coincided with the clutch assist spring dropping it's assist levels which made the pedal "pop" just as you were starting to move and was one of the hardest things for inexperienced 911 drivers to get comfortable with. And the steering requiring effort? C'mon... 😛
Always love nerding out with our viewers! The US-spec 1978-1983 911 SC had 180 DIN horsepower, though we did list the wrong torque number, which increased to 189 lb-ft for later SCs including the 1983 model. The RoW models you are talking about did receive the horsepower increases you mention, but they were not sold in the US. Damon is extremely embarrassed for not catching himself during the drive or during editing, because of course 911 SCs had power brakes. He also says this about the clutch: "The clutch pedal of a good air-cooled 911 is one of the tougher things for inexperienced drivers to get comfortable with, but once familiar they're a cinch to operate while pulling a way from a stop. For me, slowing down upshifts is probably the hardest thing to do every time I get into an air-cooled car with a 915 transmission."
@@PorscheClubofAmerica I always drive mine, a 1979 911SC with the window part down, and listen to the engine, in total synchronicity. A paradigm that's difficult to match!!
I own a 83 SC. You are spot on with regard to the gearbox and the pedal arrangement making it hard to heel-toe. Apart from that, it’s an exceptional car to drive. I drive mine virtually everyday.
Hello! I drive a SC (mild) hot rod. It's perfect. SC is the answer, unless you can afford a long hood. Buy the oldest Porsche you can afford is my motto.
I SO miss my Guards Red on Black '80 911 SC.. I kick my own butt everyday for selling it !! I want it back ! However, I do love my '99 996 Gen 1 w/ COLD A/C here in the south.
Own a '80 911SC and I love, love this car would not dream of ever selling this baby. I use it as a daily driver. I also own a 1962 356 that I mostly drive during the fall season.
Perfect two car garage!
I have had a soft spot for SC's since they were introduced. You need one more numerical factor, and that's 'Emotional Attachment,' and it would be a 10 in my book. Guards Red can't be beat, but the factory brown colors are also beauties.
Thanks for watching!
Fun video. I liked seeing how surprised you were with your own scores. I was surprised too. I’m trying to get into the air cooled market and this video is certainly helping me. An SC with air conditioning and cruise control (and meticulous, current maintenance!) might be the one. I’m not wealthy enough just to look at it, I’d have to use it. Thanks again.
Thanks for watching!
I’m in the same boat as far as “having to use it”: I’ve put 26,000 miles on my ‘81 in 5 years. These things really love to be driven. Plus owning one of these and NOT driving it is criminal, akin to owning a thoroughbred race horse and not letting the poor thing out of the stable!
It’s really a shame that regular car guys are being priced out of the market for these cars, you definitely have to want one to own one if you’re not wealthy! But the experience of driving and maintaining one is definitely rewarding in a way few other cars offer. And, there is a strong community, factory and aftermarket support for these machines. What more could a car guy/gal want?
There aren’t too many 40-50 year old cars I can think of that are as well made as these hand built marvels. If you have a garage, jack stands, a low rise floor jack, a good metric tool set and a willingness to learn, you can do most of the maintenance on these cars yourself.
Drive it/Break it/Fix it/Repeat!
1977 was the first 911 year for power assisted brakes which means the SC has them too.
My 1984 911sc has power brakes. I think all 911sc’s did.
Damon’s embarrassed that he thought the brakes were not powered. You are correct, 911 SCs did have power brakes.
@@SR-se3qw correct. Sorry, I have a 1983 911sc cabriolet
Beautiful car..... Great year!
This was spot on for me as a 911 SC owner.The gearbox is in my view its weakest part.More so in stop and go traffic.The best daily driver out of the all 911 has got to be the 997 Gen2.
Very cool!
SC's have power booster brakes, my 77' has them.
No power assisted brakes? My understanding is the 911 got vacum assist brakes in the 1977 model year.
PCA
Your handling review of this SC makes me wonder if an earlier narrow-bodied 911 might be more fun for the average driver as long as they stay in the 5-7/10ths driving range. I’m thinking that it has to do with the wider rear tires on an SC. I’m sure they give more grip in the rear, but I’m thinking they also contribute to that initial understeer too. I’m wondering if the earlier cars are more eager to turn in thus more lively as long as you don’t push them too far.
Your thoughts?
Owned my 83 SC for over a decade.
Super Carrera, the rest are just Carrera's..😊
Right on
Love my 1982! Mine is not that nice but I can daily it .
Enjoy the ride!
Are these in the airbag generation?
Nope
flat VW beetle
Not quite.
@@PorscheClubofAmerica flat VW 166 Schwimmwagen.
Haha. Clueless