1977 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0

Few names in motoring history carry the same weight as 'Carrera'. A moniker born from one of the most gruelling and dangerous road races ever staged, the Carrera Panamericana. A proving ground for manufacturers and drivers, it forged legends and inspired some of Porsche’s most celebrated road cars.

Beginning with the first 1955 Porsche 356 Carrera, the Carrera nameplate became synonymous for adorning Porsches most powerful cars and although things are a little different today, it was used exclusively for high-performance 911’s throughout the 1970’s.

In the world of classic 911, few models remain as profoundly significant as the Carrera 3.0. Built in limited numbers, for only a period of two years and never reaching the North American market, the Carrera 3.0 inherited the mechanical heart of the legendary Carrera 2.7 RS. Now with more torque, the race-bred 3.0-litre flat-six also featured a new incredibly compliant chassis and highly specified equipment level and Porsche’s marketing campaign in period read, “why decide between the comfort of a luxurious touring car or the feel of a thoroughbred sports car?”.

This wasn’t just any air cooled flat-six, it was a race-proven engine, built for the track and refined for the road. With its lighter crankcase, reduced reciprocating mass, torquey and rev hungry nature, the Carrera 3.0 feels alive in a way that few 911’s do.

During its very short production run, only 3,691 Carrera 3.0’s were built, a minuscule number compared to the 58,000 Porsche 911 SC’s and 76,500 Carrera 3.2’s that followed. Of these, just 2,564 were coupés and it is reported that just 73 units were delivered new to Australia including both coupes and Targas, making it one of the most exclusive air-cooled 911’s ever produced.

This car: Blondie, A Limited Production 911 with RS DNA, Restored to an Exacting Standard

A late production car, this exceptional Australian delivered Carrera 3.0, affectionately known today as Blondie was built in June 1977. Optioned with air conditioning, sunroof and 15-inch Fuchs alloys, Blondie was delivered new by John Newell Porsche Centre, Sydney in September of 1977 to Dr. Edward Vanderbyl Waddy Pockley– ophthalmologist and surgeon for the Royal Australian Navy.

Presented in its factory-correct Platinum Diamond Metallic over Cork leatherette with matching carpets, a rare combination that perfectly reflects the period and accompanied by its original service manual and exhaustive folio of history, ownership records and works receipts, what makes this car truly exceptional is its two-year, concours-level restoration by classic Porsche specialists between 2016-2017. A process that has delivered one of the finest Carrera 3.0’s in the country—if not the world.

A restoration without compromise demands more than just craftsmanship—it requires an unwavering commitment to authenticity which, the commissioner, an out and out Porscheologist was prepared for. Over two years, every detail of this Carrera 3.0 was returned to factory-correct specification, ensuring the car presents, drives, and feels exactly as Porsche intended. The owner at the time stating, “this would be an exercise in over-capitalisation…”.

Engine & Drivetrain: The 3.0 litre flat-six was completely dismantled and comprehensively rebuilt, including the Bosch K-Jetronic CIS components, new internals where necessary, and precise calibration to all factory tolerances. The 915 5-speed gearbox, has also been fully overhauled, ensuring crisp shifting.

Suspension & Brakes: The suspension was fully dismantled, restored, and reassembled using OEM-spec bushings, dampers, and joints, set to factory-correct geometry. The brakes were also completely overhauled and the result delivered taut, precise handling with the perfect balance between composure and playfulness the Carrera 3.0 is lauded for. 

Bodywork & Paint: The original shell was stripped back to bare metal before being refinished in its correct Platinum Diamond Metallic. Great care was taken to perfect panel alignment, ensuring factory-accurate shut lines and fitment with the same attention paid for the glass, new seals and exterior trims.

Interior: The Cork leatherette upholstery and matching carpets has been painstakingly re-trimmed using period-correct materials, ensuring a factory-authentic appearance and texture. Every detail, from the instrumentation to the switchgear, has been restored or refurbished to original condition and the period-correct Porsche branded Blaupunkt Dusseldorf Stereo radio-cassette was sourced from the UK.

Electrical & Ancillary Systems: Every component, from the Bosch CDI ignition to the lighting  electric drivers mirror, retractable antenna and HVAC, has been rebuilt, replaced, or reconditioned, ensuring absolute functionality.

With all mechanical works by NineAuto, the paint and bodywork by Skunkwerks and interior by BM Leather Creations completed just in time to celebrate Blondies 40th birthday, Porsche Centre Melbourne’s Classic Partner Manager, Ben Musu placed her on display in the PCM showroom for all to enjoy. A testament to the world class quality and respect to factory authenticity of the works.

Accompanying Blondie are the original service books with delivery information and service stamps still in the correct vinyl wallet, receipts detailing the entirety of the restoration, a detailed log of ownership history, both period correct keys and a hardback compendium titled 'BLONDIE’ that documents Blondies life story from delivery by John Newell to display with Porsche Centre Melbourne.

For the collector or driver who demands the best, this masterfully restored, Australian-delivered Carrera 3.0 represents an exceptional opportunity. One of the finest examples of this very rare 911 anywhere in the world.

A Carrera for the Purist, the Carrera 3.0 delivers an unfiltered, mechanical connection between driver and machine unlike any other 911.