Description
This lot will be auctioned via Iconic Auctioneers, The Iconic Sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024 - Cars on Saturday the 9th of November, NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT. Anyone who followed the World Championship of Makes (essentially an International championship for long-distance Sports Car racing), will remember their surprise at the shape of the new Porsche 935 when it first appeared at Mugello in March 1976. Subsequently, these ‘Flatnose’ 935s and 936s (in 'Group 6') were to prove very competitive in the hands of Ickx, Mass and Stommelen and during the next two seasons managed four victories in eight World Championship races and a triumph at Le Mans in each year. However, Porsche began to worry that all these victories by the works Flatnose cars might alienate the vast number of private clients who were investing their own money in conventionally-shaped competition 911s, and decided to restrict their efforts for 1978 to an entry at Le Mans.
The distinctive look of the Flachbau (literally translated as 'Low Build') obviously retained its appeal in the minds of their road car customers and, from 1981 until early 1989, Porsche 930 Turbo buyers could specify their car in this style to special order. Inevitably, this new look became sought after by owners of lesser 911 models and a steel factory 'flatnose' body kit became available.
Offered here is a Porsche 911 SC Targa sporting a steel factory flatnose body kit classically finished in gleaming Guards Red with a black interior. The Targa would not be one's first choice when adding a motorsport-focussed option but a glance at our images will confirm that the result is spectacular, a really special 911. Closer inspection shows that it has been very well engineered and suffice to say, the signature headlight operation is perfect confirming its factory parts underpinnings.
The Porsche was supplied originally to the US and surprisingly, the history file contains invoices from its time over there. In 2003, work to the seats and other aspects of the interior was carried out by Beils Auto Upholstery in Chicago. Work to the fuel system was undertaken in 2005 by Murrays Auto’s with the mileage noted at 59, 430. Four other invoices relate to work by Golz Motors during 2006 with the mileage at 61, 050 miles. In November 2015, the Porsche was imported into the UK and allocated the UK-registration number, FCC 134X. Subsequently, various invoices from Design 911 and Porsche Bournemouth are on file and the Targa was subject to attention by RennSpeed in August 2020 and January 2021 which included a full engine and gearbox rebuild in exchange for £18, 237.
However, this gorgeous little Targa wasn't quite finished and in December 2021, Canfield Classics overhauled the complete induction system at a cost of £2, 392. 68. A new fuel tank and a bit more tweaking by a foremost Porsche specialist has culminated in a lengthy road test confirming that all the recent expenditure was worthwhile with the car now running 'as sweet as a nut'.
The indicated mileage is still only 61, 635 and the car is supplied with an owners manual, spare key and a full MOT.
There was famously only one factory-built Flachbau Targa and this example with the steel factory 'flatnose' body kit is possibly unique in the UK, so if anybody asks, just let them wonder!
