“One of Porsche’s best-kept secrets — and rather quicker than it looks.”

In 1978, Porsche did something rather unusual: it made the new 911 less powerful. The 3.0 SC arrived with just 180 bhp — 20 bhp down on the Carrera 3.0. As you can understand, the Customers were not amused.

While Porsche was busy trying to push the 911 towards retirement in favour of the new 928, a handful of Porsche engineers and dealers quietly decided that the 911 deserved better. What followed was one of the most secretive chapters in 911 history: the 3.1 SC-L.

The recipe was wonderfully simple. A larger 97 mm bore, Mahle pistons, higher compression, Turbo-specification cooling, Dilavar head studs, increased fuel pressure, a larger oil cooler and a taller fifth gear. The result was a 3,122 cc flat-six producing around 210 bhp essentially giving the SC the power it should have had from the start.
Ferry Porsche reportedly gave the project his blessing, but with one condition: keep it discreet. No advertising. No fuss. Nothing that would attract unnecessary attention.

Porsche never kept a definitive production record, as the documentation relating to the programme was later destroyed. Estimates suggest only 100 to 150 cars were delivered, with around half reportedly going to Porsche employees.
Delivered new on 11 April 1980 to its first German owner, our red Targa comes with the single piece of paper that really matters: the original Porsche factory letter confirming the 3.1 engine..

After more than 40 years, finding one of these cars is rare enough. Finding one with its factory confirmation still in the file is something else entirely.

Five owners from new
Parts Original factory paint
Service book
Extensive history file
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Original factory 3.1 letter

The odometer was replaced in the early 1990s, with the available documentation indicating approximately 120,000 km more than the mileage currently displayed.

It is one of the secret 911s a factory-sanctioned, Porsche-developed hot rod built at a time when Porsche was supposedly trying to kill the 911.

Rare, and seriously cool.