Highlights
- Outstanding condition
- Long-term ownership
- Wide-arch converted
- Ridiculous amounts of history and paperwork
- Engine, gearbox and bodywork restorations all undertaken and documented
The Appeal
Few supercars can hold a candle to the iconography, usability and accessibility of the Porsche 911. Arguably, the air-cooled cars are the most desirable for enthusiasts and collectors, thanks to their instantly-recognisable silhouette, engaging driving experience and characteristic flat-six soundtrack.
This 1977 ‘Targa’ bodied example is one such vehicle, offering the choice of open-topped motoring on sunny days and the added security of a removable roof panel for less-than-perfect weather. It really is the best of both worlds!
Converted to a wide-body car, finished in Ford Imperial Blue and with both engine and gearbox rebuilds documented in its expansive history folder, this is a truly unique and outstanding example of the classic air-cooled 911, and one which will no doubt prove popular with enthusiasts, collectors and drivers alike.
History/Paperwork
- V5 Registered keepers document, showing 8 former keepers
- In current ownership since 1992, covering 52000 UK miles in these 30 years
- Documented engine and gearbox rebuild at 77,000 miles in 2008
- Documentation for almost all works carried out since 1992
- Maintained by La Rose Porsche since 2003
First registered in 1977, this air-cooled 911T was originally delivered with a standard ‘narrow-body’ rear end, but was converted to the current turbo-style body during the 1990s, prior to purchase by the current owner.
This work still stands up to scrutiny today, with the current owner commissioning a glass-out respray in Ford Imperial Blue (as seen on the ST220 Mondeo) in 2006, with the unusual shade suiting the lines of the 911 very well indeed, and still looking fantastic to this day. Again, this work is detailed in an extensive photo album, along with the accompanying invoices.
At around 77,000 miles, marque specialist La Rose Porsche in Kent - who have maintained the car since 2003 - carried out a full engine and gearbox rebuild, totalling just shy of £10,000.
Since rebuilding, the car has covered around 30,000 miles, and continues to be maintained to the highest standards by La Rose Porsche, irrespective of cost. Speaking of the mileage, Eporsch (who are currently storing the vehicle, and own La Rose) note that the odometer stopped at 93,607 miles. However, the vendor has kept meticulous records of fuel use and journeys covered, from which they can infer that the current ‘true’ mileage will be around 111,000.
Alongside the V5 registered keepers document, the history file - all contained in a well-stocked ring-bound folder - contains nearly every invoice since 1992, documentation of a very extensive service history, and a number of photo albums giving provenance to the above bodywork history.
Finally, and of particular note, a full ‘vehicle health check’ was carried out by La Rose Porsche in June 2022, a copy of which has been included in the photo gallery below.
The Interior
- Very good condition throughout
- Targa roof panel folds correctly
- Frunk in great condition - no fuel odour
On the inside, the driver-focused interior presents very well indeed for its age and mileage, and will immediately feel ‘at home’ for any self-confessed Porschephile or owner.
Ahead of the driver, the brace of gauges monitoring the engine’s vital signs are all working as they should be, with the exception of the odometer which we’ve already covered in the above section.
Up above, the removable roof panel is in great shape, engaging and disengaging with ease. The panel also folds as it should for stowage in the ‘frunk’ without fuss. The seals around the roof may require some attention and have slightly distorted, however.
The seats generally present wonderfully well, with the half textile/half leather combination giving class and comfort in equal measure. Whilst there are a few light scuffs and marks, the only particularly unsightly blemish is located on the lower rear of the driver’s seat, where the material has been worn away through years of use and enjoyment.
The carpets are all in good order, as are the high-traffic areas such as the door cards, shifter and steering wheel, with only light commensurate wear being visible, and the overall condition of the cabin being fantastic for a car of this age and mileage.
The Exterior
- Full glass-out respray in Ford Imperial Blue Metallic
- Outstanding condition - a real head-turner
- Classic ‘Fuchs’ wheels
- Unique airbrushed mirror covers
On the outside, the stylish lines of this 911T still look as drop-dead gorgeous to this day as they did when new in the 1970s, and have been further enhanced by the aforementioned turbo-body conversion.
Whilst the colour - Ford Imperial Blue Metallic - may not be an OE or original colour, there’s no doubting that it looks right at home on this icon of German engineering. The flags on the mirror covers are, arguably, an acquired taste, but these too have been air-brushed on to a very high standard, and remain in great shape.
The paintwork, overall, is still outstanding in its condition, being completely resprayed in 2006 to its current Imperial Blue Metallic. Notably, the works were documented photographically, showing that the conversion was carried out to a very high standard, utilising steel panels throughout. Sure, there are a few stone chips and light blemishes here-and-there, but with some extensive mileage and years under its belt, it still looks excellent for a car of this vintage.
There are a few slightly more noticeable imperfections - a few small cracks on the front plastic bumper valence, and a small patch of bubbling on the offside lower edge of the bumper below the black trim band, but this is in keeping with the vehicles’s age and condition.
All four of the ‘Fuchs’ wheels are in excellent shape, whilst the bodywork is fantastic throughout, with no dents, dings or impact damage that we could see. Equally, The driver's side light cover has a small stone chip, apart from that all the light lenses and glass remain free of cracks or major wear, which is always good news in our opinion.
The Mechanicals
- Documented engine and gearbox rebuild approximately 30k miles ago
- Recently serviced by La Rose Porsche
- Maintained irrespective of cost since 1992
Firing up with a characteristic dry ‘howl’ and settling instantly into a sonorous idle, the air-cooled flat-six at the heart of this 911 Targa appears to be in rude health, showing strong oil pressure readings and behaving impeccably during our photo shoot, despite temperatures pushing north of 33 degrees.
The clutch, gearbox and throttle action all felt lovely and crisp, as did the steering and brakes. Overall, it’s fair to say that this is a car that feels several decades its junior, thanks to an extensive regime of regular maintenance, servicing and plenty of use.
Looking at the engine itself in the rear, visibility is limited, but everything looks to be in good shape and in its right-and-proper place, with no untoward noises noted and no smoke emanating from the exhaust.
Underneath, the chassis looks to be in fine fettle, with only some light moisture/residue being visible on the bottom end of the engine casing, which is par-for-the-course on a classic 911 such as this.
Recently, La Rose carried out a minor service in June 2022 along with a full and extensive vehicle health check. The latest major service took place in 2018, along with an extensive programme of remedial works that totalled over £3,000.
Summary
On-the-button, cherished, maintained fastidiously and used to its fullest extent, this is a truly wonderful example of the iconic and much-loved air-cooled 911 Targa, and presents in fantastic condition throughout.
Complete with a history folder that would make the British Library hot-under-the-collar and freshly serviced, this is a one-off opportunity to obtain a unique example of the breed that wants for nothing more than the open road and an enthusiastic owner that will keep it in tip-top condition for years to come.
The vendor welcomes Viewings of the Vehicle.
The vendor welcomes Viewings of the Vehicle.
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