Butzi’s immortal shape needs no introduction. I came across this one just the other day whilst in a bit of a rush. Still, I had to stop as the backlit winter sun captured that shape almost perfectly.
It’s a 911SC, year unknown. Lovely shape, lovely colour.
Further Reading:
Paul’s In Memoriam for Ferdinand ‘Butzi’ Porsche
Scott McPherson on a 1977 911S
Perry Shoar on a 1991 911 Carrera 4
Jim Klein on his 2002 911 Carrera
Both great photos, but that top shot is exceptional. Evocative of early evening in late summer.
If Don shot this “the other day”, it’s likely mid-winter in Melbourne!
Right! Bad on me. (Those tricky hemispheres…)
Congratulations… the first pic is amazing…
I use to say the 911 is the perfect bachelor ride…
Call me old-school, but I’ve always liked the shape of the Porsche 911 of this vintage. I’ve never driven, nor have I ridden in one as a passenger.
Beautiful shot of a car I am coming to appreciate more as I get older.
Everybody wants red ones, but silver or gray seems to bring out the Teutonic character that makes these so appealing.
Timeless alright. So nice without the whale tails etc that came later.
Interpreted a different way it’s also timeless because 911 prices have risen to the point where I will never be able to spend time with one.
Isn’t that the truth. My father had a silver 1973 911-E Targa and I just did some checking. The cars are going for $75,000 and up! Damn, if I had only bought that one off a him in 1975, company car price, and kept it to today. Problem is the 68 Cougar is a more comfortable car to drive in town and even long distances on the freeway. Nothing like a right legged cramp and no way to stretch it out. Yet, at least I learned how to drive a stick in that car.
There’s a metallic brown one in my new neighborhood, peeking out from under a cover. And even in that less than flattering color, it’s beautiful.
I always had the feeling I was in a fight with my ’77 2.7 liter Coupé.
It was a lovely car, but Brünhilde always tried to kill me and over 3600 RPM her rumble went on into a scream, a sort of masocistic scream like give me more whip, more, more more…..
I mean Citroën made an SM, these old Porkers, they are SM !
Bad brakes (mine did not even had a servo), bad roadholding especially when you make a mistake and the headlights, they are like a couple of nails glowing in the dark.
Ow no heating or hardly any since you need to heat 13 litres of engine oil.
It was an interesting experience, but do I want another one ? Thanks but no thanks.
I had a 1981 SC for a few years in the later nineties – but a targa. Not a coupe like the one in the photo. And yes, it was red.
I enjoyed it. It was fun, but a real pita sometimes – like Rammstein, I no longer want another one. I sat in a nice one about a year ago and the smell of engine oil was not evocative. It was just “oily” and I realized that I could not imagine actually going down the Porsche road again.
Prices of early (pre-impact bumper) 911’s have gone through the roof here and even these SC’s are getting very expensive. But they really are overrated. They have their charms no doubt, but the idea of owning and driving one is rather more exciting than actually doing it. That’s my opinion anyway (as an “ex”).
Still – they sure look good!
Btw – assuming this is an SC, with the small indicator light behind the front wheel, this is a 1981,82 or 83 model.
Gotta agree, I had a 78 SC for a short time, hard car to live with, the heavy clutch was a PITA, AC was minimal, vague shifting. Took a couple of 200 mi trips with it, not fun. I did enjoy running it up through the gears and looking at it. Now I will just enjoy looking at other people’s 911s
You’ve nailed it Bill. Heavy clutch and “barely there” AC (could just manage if the car started cool. If the car got hot sitting somewhere – too late!). The gearbox was only “so-so” – even after a rebuild at great expense! On mine the targa roof clips kept “popping” a while after being adjusted. Even a complete rebuild of the targa top only tamed it for about 6 months. Expensive repairs and maintenance….. I could go on.
The best part? After I had an lsd put in as part of the gearbox rebuild – accelerating hard out of a side road to join the traffic. It was quite addictive. But I kicked the habit and no longer want to go back there.
Thanks Ghillie. It is an SC according to the badge on the rear.
That reminds me so much of Magritte’s The Empire of Lights series, as well as Jackson Browne’s Late for the Sky.
(Let’s just say) It’s an early model Chevrolet
(Let’s just say) It’s a warm and windy day
You go and pack your sorrow, trashman comes tomorrow
Leave it at the curb, and we’ll just roll away
Damn fine album, that one. Reminds me to feature it on CC Vinyl.
When I read the headline, I expected an Oldsmobile DustBuster!!
So did I, probably because I spotted one yesterday for the first time in ages. Nice shape too, or as far as I could tell considering it was about 11 PM.
Same here. I actually liked the shape of the Olds Silhouette.
Great photos.
That top sunset pic, of the black 911, is great.
It looks like a scene out of Miami Vice.
Both shots are the same car. Black 911 with blackout (chrome ring) Fuchs… Nice.
No kidding.
What a difference, lighting and good photography, can do.
Another cool pic, Don. 😉
A generation of 911 I like very much. I just reminded myself of the Braun electric razor ad that featured I believe a 911 Turbo. The car races along a country road in autumn stirring up leaves on the pavement. Wonderful ad, couldn’t afford the car but I did buy the razor. Not sure what year that was produced. Perhaps the early nineties?
CC effect – just saw a gorgeous white SC with red Carrera script along its flanks. Seemed garish to me 40 years ago, but just right tonight.
Great pictures Don. The second one looks like it has a turbo spoiler, until you realise it’s the verandah from the house in the background.
I used to work with a bloke that had a red one. I may have a picture somewhere. He also had a 69 Camaro. Both flawless.