The Porsche 911 SC (1978–1983) uses a naturally aspirated 3.0L air-cooled flat-six producing 180 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. Its rear-engine layout, torsion-bar suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, and compact dimensions retain the mechanical formula that had defined the 911 since its introduction.

The SC also marked a period when Porsche consolidated the 911 range around a single naturally aspirated model, with later cars receiving increased engine output and improved chassis components. Its air-cooled flat-six, rear-engine weight distribution, unusual packaging, and distinctive driving characteristics give the 911 SC a mechanical identity that is quite different from most sports cars of its era.