1985 Porsche 911 Super Sport Targa
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Highlights
- Stunning factory White Gold Metallic
- 3.2-litre flat-six, manual transmission
- Comprehensive mechanical restoration about 500 miles ago at a cost of over £21,000.
- Believed to be the only RHD SSE Targa spec'd in White Gold from new
- Porsche letter of origin, extensive history file
The Appeal
The type-930 is still one of the most highly regarded 911 models. From the 1985 model year, the Carrera was available with the option of a ‘Turbo look’ body (also known as the SSE of ‘Supersport Equipment’). Benefiting from the chassis, wider body and some of the styling elements of the period Turbo model, it offered all the style without the legendarily twitchy handling of the so-called “widow maker”.
To say this is a rare beast in the UK is an understatement. Although official factory figures are tricky to come by as the SSE models were not counted separately, it’s believed that only 75 right-hand drive models were produced and delivered for the UK market, with just 15 of those being Targas.
This is one of those models. With a letter of origin from Porsche, confirming both the car’s original factory specification and its body, engine and gearbox numbers, you can be confident that this is the real deal – a genuine Carrera Targa SSE.
Resplendent in its factory hue of White Gold Metallic, it presents in excellent condition, with the owner having recently spent more than £21,000 on a full mechanical restoration. A complete photo record of the restoration is included, as well as extensive documentation detailing the car’s history. If you’re in the market for a beautifully kept, original and mechanically exceptional 80s 911, then this may well be the machine you’re looking for.
The History and Paperwork
- Believed to be one of 15 RHD Targa SSEs delivered to the UK
- We’re told this is the only UK RHD Targa SSE specified in White Gold Metallic from the factory
- Built on 26th September 1985 (1986MY car)
- Extensive history file, including invoices, previous MOT certificates and a Porsche letter of origin confirming the factory specification
- Excellent and fitting private registration – C911GVP
- Complete with the owner’s handbooks and service book, with stamps
- Comprehensive photographic record of the mechanical restoration in 2022, which cost more than £21,000
- 109,285 miles on the clock
- Only about 500 miles covered since the restoration
- Last full service in December 2022 at 109,200 miles
- Current MOT to January 2024
- From a small, private collection
- Dry stored but regularly used in the summer months
- Full engine rebuild
The Interior
- Brown leather seats, accompanied with leatherette and striped velour
- Central locking
- Electric height adjustment to the front seats
- Modern Kenwood CD/radio
Beautifully finished in a plethora of period hues and materials, the interior of this 911 is like a postcard from the 80s. Brown leather seats are finished with smart pinstriped velour inserts, while the dash and door cards are trimmed in coordinated leatherette. It makes for an evocative and warm atmosphere.
The seats themselves show very well, with some light weathering and gentle creasing from use, but no tears or notable wear that we could see. Frankly, they belie their age quite remarkably and present in superb overall condition., particularly in the rear, where the occasional seats look as if they’ve hardly ever been used.
Complementing the upholstery perfectly are the deep brown, thick carpets that run through the cabin. We didn’t see any evidence of significant wear or damage to them, just a little light wear as you’d expect.
It’s a similar story with the trim and switchgear. Everything has the look of being original and very well cared for. The instruments are clean and legible, the various driving controls showing some gentle patination, but no real wear or damage. It’s a perfect example of a genuine period interior, presented as standard with no modification, other than the modern stereo system.
At the front, the luggage area is neatly trimmed and in good order, with the spacesaver spare wheel and genuine Porsche inflation kit present and correct.
The Exterior
- Factory correct White Gold Metallic
- 15-inch Fuchs forged alloys
- Factory option “Turbo look” SSE body
- Targa roof
That shimmering ‘White Gold Metallic’ paintwork is something really quite special. As this car is believed to be the only UK-delivered RHD model specified in that shade, it makes it a real collector’s item. Overall, the paint looks to be in excellent condition too. Obviously, there are bound to be a few minor blemishes, stone chips or marks if you look closely, but overall it appears to have been preserved beautifully, with a smooth finish and no notable issues.
With the wider hips and styling cues of the SSE package, the Targa becomes a real head-turner, all 80s muscle and taut, swooping haunches. This is aided by the period chin spoiler, iconic whale tail and subtle black anodised trim and badging. All of the bodywork and trim looks to be in fine fettle too, we didn’t see any corrosion, obvious dents or other damage at all. Clearly, this has been someone’s pride and joy and has been treated as such.
We adore the period Fuchs forged alloys with their deep dish and polished barrels – they’re the only wheel that the car should be on, in our opinion. The letter of origin from Porsche tells us that they were originally finished in White Gold Metallic to complement the body, so they have obviously been refinished in black at some point. We think they add a nice contrast to the body, and they certainly present in very good order.
The Mechanics
- 3.2-litre, naturally aspirated flat-six
- comprehensive mechanical restoration, with invoices detailing £21,000+ in work including full engine rebuild
- Rear-wheel drive
- Manual five-speed transmission
From the factory, this enigmatic engine would have delivered 231bhp and 284Nm to the rear wheels – healthy numbers even by today’s standards for a relatively light sports car. With the recent professional engine rebuild, we have no doubt that these figures have been retained.
That rebuild was carried out by Patrick Walsh Porsche of Kent, and the vendor provides invoices detailing the work done, which includes:
- Top end and bottom end engine rebuild
- 993 head studs upgrade
- Comprehensive transmission rebuild
- New clutch and ancillaries
- New flywheel
- New timing chain
- Reconditioned alternator
- New starter motor
- New fuel tank
- Upgraded Dansk twin-pipe exhaust system
- Lots of new ancillaries, pipes, hoses, bearing etc.
We’re assured by the vendor that, wherever possible, OEM Porsche parts were used. Certainly, from the photographics record of the rebuild, we can see that no expense was spared, with the work carried out being thorough and comprehensive.
What that leaves us with is a beautiful period Targa SSE that has been extensively mechanically restored and has covered only about 500 miles since the work was completed.
Summary
As you may have detected, we love this car. The specification is period-perfect, the extensive work carried out has been professionally done and the overall presentation is superb. For anyone looking for a right-hand-drive Targa SSE, we think this is probably the best one you’ll find…
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1985
- Make Porsche
- Model 911 Super Sport Targa
- Colour White Gold Metallic
- Odometer 109,285 Miles
- Engine size 3164
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Rotherfield
- Location Sussex
- Country United Kingdom
25
bids
- fe•••• £69,500 30/03/23
- mi•••• £69,000 30/03/23
- fe•••• £68,500 30/03/23
- mi•••• £68,000 30/03/23
- fe•••• £67,500 30/03/23
- mi•••• £67,000 30/03/23
- fe•••• £66,500 30/03/23
- 10•••• £66,000 30/03/23
- fe•••• £65,500 30/03/23
- mi•••• £65,000 30/03/23
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