By the 1970s the Porsche 911 had firmly cemented itself as a crowd favourite and top tier sports car of the era, and had begun taking on an alternative approach with some of the model variants for a newly emerging cluster of buyers. So whilst retaining that classic styling and characteristic performance, the 911s of this era had something of a more executive and luxury feel to them, with improved equipment and comfort on the inside yet a healthy dose of the hairy chested raw performance that had made these things so appealing in the first place.
Demand was also soaring for a convertible variant of the 911, but with engineering not quite there yet to keep the dynamic balance, an alternative was offered, a first for the industry and something which would go on to be a quintessential feature of a multitude of sports cars for years to come.
The targa top gave occupants that desired open top experience without the negative connotations of a weighty folding electric or even manual soft top. It was a prime piece of automotive engineering and would in no time become a staple of the 911 range, highly revered amongst collectors.
This 1977 Targa is a wonderful, exceptionally original presentation of the model and a great slice of 1970s nostalgia. Registered in Sweden since new, it has been in storage until 2008 before reintroduction to the roads this year and is now looking for a new devoted Porsche enthusiast to swoop in and take on this marvellous piece of Porsche history.
The History and Paperwork
Manufactured 1977
Registered new in Sweden in the late 1970s
The last owner of the vehicle bought the car in 2008 and the 911 was subsequently put into storage where it has remained until this year
Vendor has given the car a light service after removal from storage but it has not covered any major distances since as we understand
Unfortunately the vendor advises that we are lacking in paperwork for the car
Interested parties should note that if the car was brought to the UK, it would be both tax and MOT exempt due to its age and historic status
The first thing one notices when inspecting this 911 is its impressive cleanliness and overall originality. The extended years in storage have been kind to this car and the quality of the cabin will attest to that. Upholstery and carpeting is in fine fettle and nothing really seems to have been the bearer of any excessive wear, instead what we have here is a wonderful attempt to create a time machine that sends you back to the glorious 1970s.
Finished throughout in a quality all black colour scheme, this cabin is a good one. Seating front and rear is in great form and looks to be almost factory fresh, with the front sports style seating with its charming patterned fabric centre sections in great form boasting strong bolstering and next to nothing in terms of wear or age, the rear seating is presented in such the same nature and begs the question, has anyone ever sat in them?
Two well upholstered door panels reside comfortably at the sides of the cabin and are in great standing, exhibiting yet more quality black upholstery with the quintessential 911 carpeted lower sections. A wonderful collection of subtle trim and embellishments play house within the panels and are all in good clean form.
Drawing focus to the front of the cabin one is presented with a high quality dash panel and original three spoke Porsche steering wheel. The dash itself is in great standing and looks to have avoided signs of sun damage or cracking, largely courtesy to its extended time in storage, and the marvellous collection of instruments and switchgear that sit within and around the panel are presented in much the same fashion, incredibly clean and highly original. An aftermarket Sony radio head unit looks to be the only more notable deviation from standard here but looks smart and sits comfortably in its fascia.
A smart, simple, well sized storage area can be found at the front of the car and plays host to a spare wheel and the new battery fitted by the vendor on the cars release from storage.
The Exterior
Desirable Targa roof variant
In great original standing
Unusual colour scheme
Very well presented throughout
It’s much the similar story when it comes to the exterior of this 911, like its beautifully upholstered cabin, the 911 is in brilliant, vastly original, clean order from an aesthetic perspective and is a wonderful presentation of a quality 1970s Targa car. Certainly it must be one of the finest examples out there today.
Paintwork is of an excellent standard throughout, gleaming with a deep shine across the curved classic body lines. A more unusual colour for the time, the paint presents with a subtle green hue to it and is a testament to the taste of whoever specced this car back in the late 1970s. There are some light marks commensurate with age but as originality is the name of the game here, that's no bad thing.
The iconic Targa top is still present with the car and in great standing. In a contrasting black hue, it unlatches and can be removed or installed with ease and unlike so many Targa tops that followed, it doesn’t look out of place when situated on the car.
Being a late 70s example this 911 comes with a host of characteristic styling features including the safer and more pronounced front and rear bumpers with overriders and some other aesthetic tweaks. The bumpers and surrounding external trim are in great standing and keep up with the quality in which the rest of the car sits.
Glass work is also of a great standard and at ground level we find four excellent black Fuchs alloy wheels, a staple of the 1970s Porsche. A fifth steel wheel resides in the front storage area of the car in case of emergency.
The Mechanics
Legendary flat six engine
Five speed manual transmission
Subject to recent light service
The mechanics and driveline have always been where the 911 thrived, and the cars of the 1970s were no exception. A glorious rear mounted flat six engine, quality transmission and impeccable dynamic setup and mixed with revered German build quality meant that the 911 could not only outperform many of its rivals, but outlive them as well.
This particular car looks to be in good mechanical standing throughout. Though it has been in storage since 2008, the vendor informs us that a new battery was fitted and a light service including oil change was performed, and that after this, the 911 fired right into life. Whilst masses of miles have not been covered since emerging from storage, we are told that the car does indeed run and drive well.
Underneath looks both clean and solid upon inspection and further plays into the notion that this 911 is a thoroughly great example.
Summary
It's hard to be an automotive enthusiast and not love a Porsche 911, especially a classic one. These terrific pieces embody what a sports car should be and classic examples have an endearing charm to them that you just don’t get with other cars, no wonder they have such a desirability on the collectors market.
This 1977 Targa is certainly one of the more interesting presentations of a classic 911, and after a hiatus in storage is ready to become part of an esteemed collection or to see use as a fun weekend car. Enough to widen the eyes of even the most astute Porsche enthusiast, it's hard to ignore a car of this calibre.
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1977 Porsche 911 Targa
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