1979 Porsche 911 SC Targa |

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1979 Porsche 911 SC Targa

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Sold Price

£37,520

Mileage~6,677 on clock
Transmission3-Speed Semi-Automatic
Engine3.0-litre
LocationRugby

SOLD

1979 Porsche 911 SC Targa

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Editor and Photographer

Open-air freedom meets classic engineering in Porsche’s iconic, roll-bar-equipped Targa.

The Porsche 911 Sportomatic Targa occupies a unique niche in automotive history, blending the open-air romance of the 'safety cabriolet' with one of Stuttgart's most fascinating mechanical experiments. Introduced in the late 1960s, the Sportomatic was not a traditional automatic, but a unique clutchless manual. It paired a conventional gearbox with a torque converter and a vacuum-operated clutch. The moment a driver touched the gear lever, an electronic microswitch instantly disengaged the clutch, allowing for seamless gear changes using only two pedals.

When paired with the Targa - featuring its signature stainless steel roll bar and removable roof, the Sportomatic took on a distinct Grand Touring identity. It traded high-RPM heel-and-toe shifting for effortless, sun-drenched cruising along coastal highways and alpine passes. Driven by a new generation of 3.0-litre engines, the Targa model kept the 911 firmly in the public eye. In fact, sales remained so robust that Porsche revised its strategy, deciding to inject fresh life into the 911 lineup rather than replacing it.

Andrew purchased this 1979 Porsche 911 Targa through us here at Trade Classics in September 2024. Since then, he has invested over £18,000 to further improve what was already a highly solid example. Finished in metallic blue over a black interior, this Targa features the rare Sportomatic semi-automatic transmission. The car comes backed by an additional £22,000 in receipts from previous owners and was last serviced in March 2026.

The car is MOT and road tax exempt, includes five keys, and will be sold with a box of spare parts that includes the original Cookie Cutter alloy wheels.

This listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting Andrew the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I love that it is still completely analogue!

An air-cooled 911 was a promise I had made to myself for over 20 years. Having previously owned a 914, a 924, and a Taycan, the itch for a 911 never truly left me. I had almost given up on the idea, convincing myself the right car at the right time would never materialise. On a sunny Thursday evening, I did exactly that - buying this car on impulse through a Trade Classics auction.

For me, the real appeal was that it wasn’t a finished project; it needed work, but it was completely roadworthy, allowing me to enjoy driving it while tinkering at my own pace. It was never intended to be a garage queen or a museum piece - it was, and remains, a reliable classic that you can genuinely use and enjoy every single day.

The sale is due to a career change; having been made redundant last year, I’ve recently launched my own business and need to reallocate funds until the company is fully established.

Andrew will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

Andrew

Vehicle Owner

Andrew saved £6,660* when they
sold their Porsche with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

A structurally solid example with decent panels, needing cosmetic attention to reach perfection.

Wheels and Tyres

The 16-inch gold Fuchs wheels contrast beautifully with the blue exterior finish. While they show minor under-paint blemishes, the rims are entirely free of curbing or damage.

The front and rear of the car is fitted with Avon ZV7 tyres with the front show a spec of 205/55 and 225/50 to the rear - these are date coded from 2017. Though they retain plenty of usable tread, mild wear was noted on the front sidewalls.

Please take time to review the photos and videos for a detailed view of the exterior, wheels, and tyres so you can make your own assessment of their condition. Tyres are a key safety item, and you should consider replacing any that are cracked, perished, unevenly worn, or over 10 years old.

Bodywork

The exterior is in good condition, featuring consistent panel gaps and flush alignment. All doors operate smoothly. However, there is light surface rust on the lower sections of both side door wells and the lips of the wheel arches. There is some under-paint bubbling, and worn seals were observed at the base of the engine bay well. Minor age-related wear is also visible around the base of the rear screen and along the bottom edges of the front and rear panels.

The structure appears solid, featuring a sound floor pan with only isolated spots of surface corrosion. The suspension mounts, wheel wells, engine bay, and luggage floor all look in good visual condition.

We've highlighted in more detail our observations through our high-resolution images and videos, so please take time to look through all the media files for a detailed view of what’s on offer, and for you to assess the condition of the car for yourselves.

Paint

The metallic blue paintwork offers good coverage and a healthy lustre, though minor swirling is visible under direct sunlight. The exterior shows several surface imperfections, primarily consisting of light scratches, lacquer peel, and minor under-paint blemishes. These areas of wear are concentrated on the bonnet, the offside panels, and the B-pillar.

The images are taken from a few different angles to show off the car as you would see it if you were standing there for yourselves. So please take the time to fully assess these high-resolution images and videos of the car, for you to make up your own minds about the condition of the paint.

Glass and Trim

The glass is in good condition overall, the windscreen is new. The headlamps and lenses present well, with only the occasional loose seal.

While the exterior trim appears complete, some of the window brightwork exhibits age-related pitting. The bumpers fit flush to the body and are generally free of marks, though under-paint corrosion is visible on the underside of the front bumper.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The interior presents incredibly well, boasting a brand-new dashboard, fresh carpets, and fully refurbished seats.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in excellent condition, having been reupholstered in 2025.

The new carpets present positively and show no signs of dampness.

Dashboard

The dashboard was replaced in 2025 and consequently presents in excellent condition. While the controls, switches, and dials show minor, localised signs of age, they all function exactly as they should.

The Targa roof headlining is clean, the door cards present well, and the interior trim appears complete and generally in good condition, with only a couple of marks on the rear parcel shelf.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The leather-padded Momo Prototipo steering wheel is in excellent condition.

The gear lever shows wear consistent with the car's age, though it features a well-preserved gaiter.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

With thousands spent in recent years, the engine and gearbox deliver a superb driving experience.

Engine and Gearbox

The car starts effortlessly, with all ignition warning lights extinguishing immediately, and the exhaust produces nothing more than the typical cold engine condensation upon start-up. It idles smoothly, with no hesitation or unusual noises, and no significant fluid leaks were observed during our visit.

The engine bay is cleanly presented, reflecting a strong maintenance history. It has been upgraded with a Classic Retrofit 911 CDI+ unit to replace the original ignition box, alongside a new ignition coil. Other notable recent maintenance includes a replacement crankshaft main seal, new drive shafts, and a fresh exhaust silencer, complemented by two services within the past year.

The 3-speed semi-automatic Sportomatic transmission eliminates the clutch pedal while retaining a traditional H-pattern shifter, allowing for manual gear changes without a clutch. The gearbox has received extensive attention within the last 12 months, with invoices totalling £4,000 toward its rebuild and maintenance. It operates flawlessly, offering smooth engagement and immediate kick-down. Additionally, the clutch and pressure plate were replaced in 2020 and have covered approximately 4,000 miles since.

Suspension and Brakes

The suspension handles ruts and uneven surfaces smoothly, with no outstanding issues. It absorbs road imperfections evenly, with no knocks or bangs, and handles predictably throughout.

The car brakes confidently with no squeals or judder, and the steering remains perfectly true under deceleration.

The Drive

Revered for its mechanical purity, the 3.0-litre air-cooled engine is universally celebrated as a durable, visceral, and engaging powerplant. Reliable, raspy, and razor-sharp, it occupies the ultimate enthusiast 'sweet spot,' bridging the gap between the temperamental, high-revving early sports engines and the larger, more modern air-cooled motors.

The car drives flawlessly, completely free of pops or hesitation. After allowing the engine to warm up, Andrew demonstrated the impressive torque delivery in tandem with the Sportomatic gearbox. The gear lever features a highly sensitive built-in microswitch; the exact millisecond your hand applies pressure to the knob, a vacuum system automatically disengages the clutch. Utilising a hydraulic torque converter (rebuilt in 2020), the car is effectively impossible to stall. It is surprisingly quick off the line and cruises beautifully, complemented by highly communicative steering. Andrew notes that it is an absolute joy to drive.

Its positive maintenance history underscores the car's reliability; Andrew reports no issues regarding engine temperature, oil pressure, or oil consumption.

Electrics and Other

The Targa roof is in good condition overall and easy to remove, having recently benefited from alignment and fitment adjustments, though it does not sit entirely flush. Andrew has also stated that it has a slight leak in the rain.

For audio quality, Andrew has equipped the car with a premium sound system featuring a Blaupunkt DAB head unit paired with nearly £800 worth of upgraded modern speakers.

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History and Paperwork

It comes with approximately £40,000 worth of spending and invoices since the late 90s.

Leaving the production line in the summer of 1979, the car was registered in the UK that September, originally configured with a cork leatherette interior. It is accompanied by an impressive history file containing maintenance invoices dating back to the late 1990s and MOT certificates extending back to 1995. Under Andrew’s ownership, approximately £18,000 has been invested since 2025 alone. This includes a comprehensive gearbox rebuild, engine maintenance, and routine servicing. Of this expenditure, around £3,000 was spent on components from specialists Design 911, encompassing interior trim, an exhaust silencer, engine parts, a new windscreen, roof trim, and rear seatbelts. A further £3,500-plus was dedicated to the cabin, which now boasts a new dashboard, newly reupholstered seats, and fresh carpeting.

Before Andrew’s ownership, the history file documents an additional £22,000 in invoices. Notable past work includes a replacement clutch + assembly and mechanical overhaul in 2020 at the cost of £10,500, alongside extensive brake and exhaust work. In 2014, the engine received a top-end rebuild, a new camshaft, and a fresh oil thermostat. The speedometer was also replaced in October 2010 at a recorded 115,277 miles.

The car is supplied with its original owner’s handbooks, including a service booklet containing seven service stamps. The paperwork also features a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, copies of historical V5 documents tracing ownership back to 2000, and a selection of Porsche Post magazines featuring a regular column written by Andrew about the car. Complete with five sets of keys, the vehicle is both MOT and road tax exempt; it passed its last voluntary MOT in 2022 and received its most recent service in March 2026. Furthermore, the sale includes four 15-inch original date-stamped Cookie Cutters wheels with tyres, the original Bosch CDI ignition box, and the smog pump with its mounting bracket assembly.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPI that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment of the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
12-03-2026	Gearbox Work	6,274
12-03-2026	Specialist Service	6,274
31-10-2025	Gearbox Work	6,269
29-04-2025	Porsche Specialist Service	4,520
29-04-2025	Gearbox Rebuild	4,520
25-02-2022	Drive shafts	2,728
25-02-2022	MOT	2,728
19-02-2021	MOT	2,576
18-08-2020	Porsche Specialist Service	1,879
20-05-2020	Pressure plate, Clutch disc + Mechanical renewal	1,879
09-01-2020	MOT	1,859
05-02-2019	MOT	1,307
09-05-2016	MOT	866
16-07-2014	MOT	737
15-07-2014	Oil Thermostat
12-04-2014	Engine top end rebuild	624
12-04-2014	Porsche Specialist Service	624
20-05-2013	MOT	282
04-04-2012	MOT	269
11-10-2010	Porsche Specialist Service	115,277
11-10-2010	New Speedometer	115,277
13-05-2010	MOT	115,277
05-05-2009	MOT	115,277
09-04-2008	MOT	113,800
30-04-2007	MOT	113,289
28-04-2006	MOT	112,854
27-04-2004	MOT	111,951
12-04-2003	MOT	111,066
23-04-2002	MOT	109,362
27-05-2001	MOT	108,184
11-05-2001	Specialist Service	108,184
17-05-2000	MOT	107,176
28-05-1999	MOT	106,335
21-05-1998	Specialist Service	106,011
18-12-1996	MOT	104,642
11-12-1996	Specialist Service	104,612
01-11-1995	MOT	102,131
14-03-1995	MOT	100,430
25-06-1991	Porsche Specialist Service	91,536

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Key Details

Year1979
Model911 SC Targa
Transmission3-speed Semi-automatic
Reg. Date24-09-1979
CC2993
Mileage6,677
HistorySince late 90s
ColourMetallic blue
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #9119311763
Engine #6399241
Last Service12-03-2026
Engine RebuildTop end in 2014
MOTNo Exp: 25-02-2022
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
HPi ClearYes - all clear
Former Keepers14
Tyre BrandAvon ZV7
Tyre Age2017
LHD or RHDRHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~1 year, 9 months
Key Feature£17k spending since 2025
Vehicle RegistrationDUU 25V
Driver’s SideRight
Fuel TypePetrol
Body Type2
Auction ID3770

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Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions

Seller : Andrew Sale Date 09.07.2026

Post a comment or ask the owner a question about the car.

7 Comments

JeffO

2 days ago

From the photos this looks to be a Manual Gearbox 911 and not 3 Speed Automatic as discribed? please clarify? mthanks J.

Andrew

Seller

JeffO

2 days ago

Hi Jeff, it is definitely a 3 speed Sportomatic

Vlads123

7 days ago

What further is there to do to get it to a good condition?

Thanks Paul

Andrew

Seller

Vlads123

6 days ago

Hi Paul, that is a very subjective question and depends on your definition of good?
The car is already in a good condition it just has a few areas that are a little tatty with things like lacquer peel etc inline with the photos and videos.
If you are after perfection then a full bare metal strip down restoration is needed.
The answer could lay anywhere between

bidwinner

9 days ago

Hi Andrew
Do you have any images of the kidney bowl area?
Also when is it possible to view the car?
Cheers

Adam Purrier - Trade Classics

Admin

bidwinner

9 days ago

Hello, on the viewing front please send an email to [email protected] to request as we’ll need some photo ID and a few things before we can organise it. Thanks Adam

Andrew

Seller

bidwinner

6 days ago

Hi in terms of the kidney bowls unfortunately I don’t have any additional photos. I can only assume they are original as there is no history of any body work on the cars, although some areas appear to have been sprayed at some point.
Given the age it would be safe to assume they will need replacing at some point in the future.
On the drivers side you will see from the photos of the inside of the b pillar there is some bubbling of the paint so it is safe to assume some corrosion is present on the other side of the pillar

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Rugby

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