Tuthill Porsche at Wardington recently enjoyed the company of a pair of
very fine 911 Targas, from opposite ends of the 911 bloodline.
The
beautiful 1967 Bahama Yellow 911 seen right is one of
the first 911 Targas manufactured. Introduced by Porsche for the 1967
model year, the soft window Targas featured a zip-out plastic rear
screen, aimed at owners wanting the wind in their hair, and greater
involvement with that flat six symphony.
Porsche soon
discovered that in fact, most Targa owners preferred to leave the rear
window zipped in place to avoid buffeting. The manufacturer developed the
solid glass rear screen, which remained available on Targas up to the
964 model.
With the 993, and subsequently the 996 (seen here is
a 996 in for a service and a repair to the radiator), Porsche altered
their approach to the Targa concept. Glass manufacture and panel
bonding technology had evolved to the point where glass was being used
as a structural component, so Porsche decided to use the new materials
to best effect, designing a full glass roof and longer rear screen for
Targa models. The huge sliding centre panel kept that wind-in-the-hair
feel and the new structure retained more of the rigidity of the
fixed-roof coupé.
To our eyes, either shape is beautiful. The
Targa twins prove that Porsche are never standing still, but always
improving their beloved 911 model: the greatest sports car ever built.
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Tuthill Porsche at Wardington recently enjoyed the company of a pair of
very fine 911 Targas, from opposite ends of the 911 bloodline.