1982 Porche 911 SC Targa in Great Shape! The SC still has one foot in the past with its short, classic body (about the size of a Mazda Miata) and air-cooled flat-six engine, and yet it also delivers relatively modern reliability and comfort features. The 3.0-liter Porsche flat-six engine spins quickly to the 6,250-rpm redline with an instant throttle response unknown in modern engines. Meanwhile, the Type 915 five-speed manual transmission is not a gearbox to be rushed. Shift too quickly, and you will be met with only recalcitrance and grinding. And just like the original Volkswagen Beetle, the SC has floor-mounted pedals, so those accustomed to firewall-mounted pedal boxes have to be ready to adjust. On the road, the unassisted rack-and-pinion steering is predictably heavy at parking-lot speed but becomes wonderfully light and communicative as you really get rolling. There’s lots of caster and trail dialed into the steering geometry to keep this rear-engine package tracking straight on the highway, so expect some kickback over bumps and ruts. The combination of a short 89.4-inch wheelbase, trailing-arm rear suspension, and rearward weight distribution can deliver heart-pounding lift-throttle oversteer in the corners, just as you’ve heard. The big surprise is the wide powerband and progressive compliance of the torsion-bar suspension make cross-country driving a pleasure.Don’t for a second listen to the Porsche bores who whine about the Targa’s removable roof. It’s a one-person job to remove and stow the vinyl-covered square in either the “frunk” or across the rear seats once they’re folded down. Just as with the modern 911 Targa, this classic Targa offers you an open-air experience without mussing your hair, and you can also enjoy the unique mechanical symphony of the engine thrumming behind you. And chances are this car will be worth more next year than this, which is perhaps something that cannot be said of a 2016 Targa.