Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 (Euro); fresh $40K restoration, #'s matching & COA

1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Description

I'm a 20-year PCA member, 911 collector and I've been on eBay 16 years with 100% Positive Feedback so the following is an honest description about a very original 911.I have owned the car 4 years and put less than 2K miles on it.

You are viewingone of 606 LHD Carrera 3.0 coupes built in 1976. This car is even more rare as it is a sunroof-delete version with rare factory alarm and factory sport seat.

I have a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity verifying this is a number's matching car and I've included photo's of the engine number and chassis/VIN number in this auction. I will provide a copy of the COA to interested buyers.

WHAT IS A CARRERA 3.0 AND WHAT'S IT WORTH?

For Porsche newcomers or speculators, the Carrera 3.0 is a little-known rare performance variant 911 that was part of the lineage from the 1973RS. In 1974 and 1975, Porsche replaced the RS with the Carrera in Europe - featuring the same 2.7 liter, 210hp engine.

In 1975, Porsche also introduced the first turbo 911 and had built a powerful new 3.0 liter engine. Porsche managed to build a limited number of 3.0 liter equipped (non-turbo) versions to succeed the 1974-1975 Carrera and called them the Carrera 3.0 -- however, Porsche never sold them in the USA. The Carrera 3.0 represented the final installment in the RS/Carrera lineage until Porsche would unveil the 1992 911 Carrera RS (I've owned one of these too).

Another important distinction for these cars is 1976 represented the first year Porsche galvanized its cars to protect them against rust.

Given the Carrera 3.0 lineage (replacing the 1975 Euro Carrera) they are valued at prices between the 1976 911 Turbo ($150K+) and a 1975 Euro Carrera ($350K).

OWNERSHIP HISTORY

From the information I have, the original European owner purchased this car in late 1976 and drove it in Germany until the 1980’s when he sold it to a Porsche enthusiast in Connecticut (first US owner). I talked to the first US owner and he told me that when he bought it the car did not have the Carrera stripes on the doors, as they were an option (however, white Carrera stripes would look cool if the future owner wanted to add them). The car subsequently changed hands a few times and then the original US owner bought the car back and I purchased the car from him in 2012. He verified that the interior is original and exactly the way he bought the car from the original German owner in the 1980’s.
ENGINE & GEARBOX REBUILD
During the late 2000’s, the original engine had been rebuilt with JE pistons matched to the cylinders and the heads were rebuilt with mild porting. The cams were reground to 964 spec. Crank was crack tested and polished. All engine tin was powder coated. The car also received updated cam chain tensioners, SSI heater boxes and sport exhaust, new engine sound pad. The car has a lightened flywheel, new clutch, rebuilt (original) gearbox, precision shift coupler, all new oil lines, etc. It's more reliable than when it left the factory.
When I bought the car in February 2012, the car was showing a small oil leak so I sent it to Moorespeed (Austin) and we decided to pull the engine to check the quality of the prior rebuild. Everything checked out, but while we had the engine apart I decided to upgrade the JE pistons and ordered new pistons from Rothsport made to spec for this Carrera 3.0 by renown Alex Job Racing Porsche crew chief/mechanic Jeff Gamroth. All seals were replaced on the engine and an upgraded Porsche oil pump was installed. The engine went through a proper 500-mile break in and then oil was drained to look for any particles suggesting issues (none found). The engine is rock solid and high revving thanks to the lightened flywheel. I've owned a real 964 RS Clubsport and a 993RS and believe me - this Carrera 3.0 feels as quick as either of them.
RESTORATION
I had originally intended to keep the car for retirement, so I took a "money no object" approach and had everything gone through to make sure the car was done right. The paint was faded so I had the paint stripped so the body panels could inspected for any sign of rust (none found) and the car was resprayed to its original black color by Porsche (Austin). Any corroded nuts & bolts were replaced with OEM parts. Every seal on the car was replaced and hundreds of hours were spent checking all plastic parts, trim, etc. The restoration invoice documentation will detail every line item.We left the original interior intact as I didn’t want to lose the patina of an original car.
ORIGINALITY
Unlike the prior Carrera 3.0’s on eBay that were over-restored (their interiors replaced, etc.) — this car is “as delivered by the factory” in its original color, original interior, original engine/gearbox, original (unpolished) wheels, etc. It also includes rare options: sunroof delete, A/C delete, driver (left) sport seat, & Porsche dealer-installed alarm (with separate key).
This is an honest Carrera 3.0 to drive and appreciate. It includes its factory owner's manual, tools, jack, air pump, and a complete receipt file (including $40K that I spent in 2012/2013).