1969 Porsche 911S Targa

For the 1969 model year, the Porsche 911 was given its first major changes which included having its wheelbase stretched by 2.4-inches. The wheel arches were flared slightly and fitted with wider wheels and larger tires. Ventilating slots were added to the Targa's 'basket-handle' roll bar. The high-performance Porsche 911 S was given a Bosch mechanical fuel injection system along with a front-mounted auxiliary oil cooler and lighter-weight alloy front disc brake calipers.

This particular B-Series 911 S Targa has been given a complete cosmetic restoration and mechanical freshening. This is the 176th of 614 Porsche 911 S Targa models built in 1969. During this era, Porsche was replacing the Targa's original zip-out window design with a fixed, curved glass rear window. Thus, only a small number of 'Soft Window' S Targas were constructed in 1969. They were considered a 'special order' speciation and roughly 37 examples with this 'Soft Window' specification were built. In modern times, just nine examples are believed to be in existence.

This car was delivered on November 22, 1968, to Porsche Cars of America in New Jersey. It was ordered in Irish Green (6806) with a Black interior, which featured a pair of leather Recaro Sport seats with black and white Houndstooth inserts. The 'rear-seat delete' option was an unusual selection, which replaced the usual folding rear seat-backs with a flat carpeted box containing two storage lockers. This car also came equipped with bumper guards, a raised-hub steering wheel, a Becker Europa II radio and antenna, stainless rocker strips, and Fuchs 15x6 forged alloy 'Windmill' wheels and Michelin tires.

In 2010, the car was discovered in San Diego by a member of the Early 911S Registry. The current owner acquired the car in 2011. The previous owner had disassembled the car and commissioned a glass-out repaint. Work was performed on the car as needed. Currently, the odometer shows 53,250 miles, although it is believed to have already been turned over.

At some point in the car's history, the original 2.0-liter, 170 horsepower S engine was replaced with a correct replacement from the same series.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2015