Description
A ‘modern classic’ if ever there was one, Porsche’s long-running 911 arrived in 1964, replacing the 356. The latter’s rear-engined layout was retained, but the 911 switched to unitary construction for the body shell and dropped the 356’s VW-based suspension in favour of a more modern McPherson strut and trailing arm arrangement. In its first incarnation, Porsche’s single-overhead-camshaft, air-cooled flat six displaced 1,991cc and produced 130bhp; progressively enlarged and developed, it would eventually grow to more than 3 litres and, in turbo-charged form, put out well over 300 horsepower.
Two years after the original coupé’s introduction, a convertible 911 – the ‘Targa’, named in honour of Porsche’s numerous victories in the Sicilian classic – arrived in 1966. Expected US safety legislation had prompted an ingenious approach to the soft-top 911, the Targa sporting a hefty roll-over bar to protect the occupants in the event of an inversion, together with removable roof and rear hood sections, which were stowable in the boot. For 1969 a quieter and less leak-prone fixed rear window replaced the less than perfect rear hood, and the ever-popular Targa would continue in this form well into the 1990s, sharing countless mechanical and styling developments with its closed cousin along the way.
The much loved and instantly recognisable Targa finally bowed out at the end of the 1990s, when the Cabriolet became the sole open-topped 911 with the introduction of the Type 996 range for 1999.
This 1978 SC Targa offer today is described as ‘excellent’ external condition by the vendor, with service history. The car underwent a restoration in September 2013 and has been cherished by the current owner since 2012. This presents a good opportunity to purchase a usable classic in a striking colour scheme.
