www.QV500.com - Porsche 911 (1978 – '83) Part 2: 911 SC A, B, C & D-series

 

While 1979 model year 911's were practically unchanged from their predecessors, the 1980 A-series SC's (production of which began in August 1979) appeased those calls for more power. Designated Typ 930/09, the re-worked engines gained 8bhp over those units used the previous two years. This meant 188bhp at 5500rpm and was achieved thanks to revised ignition, new camshaft timing and a compression ratio upped from 8.5 to 8.6:1. SC's destined for North America also came fitted with revised motors, the Typ 930/07 ‘50-State' engine featuring three-way catalytic converters and a Lambda sensor.
   

It produced an unchanged 180bhp at 5500rpm despite compression being upped to 9.3:1. US customers were consolidated though by the cabin upgrades made to the 1980 model year SC's, air conditioning, electric windows and a leather-rimmed steering wheel all becoming standard. Universal upgrades came in the form of black-look chrome deletion and body coloured headlamp surrounds. Inside, the Turbo's centre console was adopted along with a smaller diameter steering wheel and folding rear seats upholstered in matching material to the front pair. One interesting option introduced for the 1980 model year was Porsche's crazy Pascha trim with its migraine-inducing warped black and white chequers. Meanwhile, the once novel but never particularly successful Sportomatic transmission was finally dropped, other changes to the options list including an alarm and Boge struts for the Sports suspension. Additionally, Porsche produced just over 400 US-only Weissach limited edition's. Painted either black or platinum metallic with Dove grey leather and burgundy piping, they were equipped with supplementary driving lights and an electric sunroof as standard.

 
They also came fitted with Bilstein dampers, Fuchs forged alloy wheels (finished with metallic platinum centres) and front and rear spoilers. More good news arrived for most markets with the 1981 model year B-series SC's, production of which began in August 1980. Benefiting from an additional 16bhp, the new Typ 930/10 engines boasted 204bhp at 5900rpm. This was thanks to a 9.8:1 compression and new Bosch K-Jetronic that also led to 10% better fuel efficiency. By contrast, just thicker anti-roll bars did little to satisfy US buyers whose SC's were by now producing 24bhp less than their counterparts.
   

All B-series SC's got rectangular indicator repeaters on the front wings whilst Berber tweed trim was introduced as an interior option. The only other universal development came in the form of an anti-corrosion warranty increased to seven years. For the 1982 model year, Porsche's C-series 911's were practically unchanged although they did switch to a more elegant rear wing. It was slimmer than the Turbo item as the normally aspirated SC had no need for an intercooler. Otherwise, just revised heater controls that gave more heat at low engine speeds were used. The latest special edition to be launched was the Ferry Porsche 911, introduced to celebrate Porsche's 50th anniversary as an auto maker. 200 were built, all of which were finished in Meteor metallic grey with burgundy leather and front and rear spoilers from the Turbo. More importantly, at the Geneva Salon in March 1982, Porsche unveiled a new 911 Cabriolet. It was in direct response to the overwhelming reception given to the four-wheel drive Studie 4 Cabriolet shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1981. However, production of the highly anticipated Cabriolet would not begin until October 1982. Before then, the 1983 model year D-series 911 was launched (in August) and this would be the last of the SC's.

 
It featured a new exhaust silencer to meet ever-tightening noise requirements whilst the rear seats could now be equipped with full-length safety belts as an optional extra. More exciting was the all new Cabriolet built from October, this getting a reinforced chassis and bodyshell. The manually operated triple layer hood was quick and easy to use and provided exceptional insulation. Leather seats came fitted as standard, the Cabriolet's arrival signalling the beginning of the end for the Targa whose sales were drastically reduced thereafter. Right-hand drive SC Cabriolet's were available from February 1983.
       

Typ

Description

Production

Output

930/03

ROW engine

1977-'79

180bhp

930/04

49-State USA engine

1977-'79

180bhp

930/05

Japanese specification engine

1977-'79

180bhp

930/06

California compliant engine

1977-'79

180bhp

930/07

50-state USA engine

1979-'80

180bhp

930/08

Japanese specification engine

1979-'80

180bhp

930/09

ROW engine

1979-'80

188bhp

930/10

ROW engine

1980-'83

204bhp

930/16

50-State USA engine

1980-'83

180bhp

930/17

Japanese specification engine

1980-'83

180bhp