Description
There are certain things in life I love: an original Rolex Daytona, a BMW 2002 Tii in proper ’70s orange, Lenny Kravitz rocking a pair of flares and a chrome Targa roof against Metallic Green.
Perfect.
CAR HISTORY
I’ve owned this 1971 Porsche 911T Targa since October 2004, so more than 20 years. The genuine reason for selling is that I’ve relocated abroad and developed a slightly unhealthy love of vintage Japanese off-roaders.
She’s a genuine 2. 2-litre 911T Targa, matching numbers, chassis number the details below, with original Fuchs alloys and the particularly rare factory Metallic Green colour.
The indicated mileage was 88, 520 when I last checked, although she still gets used on sunny days so this may rise slightly. I’ve probably averaged around 1, 000 miles a year during my ownership. Given the age of the car, I can’t guarantee this represents the total lifetime mileage.
There is a good history of mechanical work. The first recorded engine rebuild was carried out in the USA in 1991 and included pistons, cylinders, valves, bearings and timing chain, with the cylinder heads reconditioned.
The car was registered in the UK in 2002 and I bought her in October 2004. Bearings, shock absorbers, silencer and engine mounts were replaced in 2004, followed by the oil cooler in 2006.
The second full engine rebuild was carried out in 2016–17 by the late Angus Archer of Archer Motorsport, a highly respected Porsche specialist and racer. This included a reground crankshaft, new bearings, timing chains and seals.
Driveshaft rings were replaced in 2020, and in 2025 she received a new Sachs clutch kit and clutch fork.
This isn’t a car I bought to flip or tucked away as an investment. I’ve had her for over two decades, driven her, maintained her and enjoyed her.
EXTERIOR
For me, the combination is what makes the car: rare Metallic Green, chrome Targa hoop and original Fuchs. There are certain things that just look right, and an early 911 Targa in this colour is one of them.
After years in the Californian sun, I had the car repainted during my ownership to bring the Metallic Green back to life. Unfortunately the invoice no longer survives, but the repaint was carried out.
There was a front-end repair in 2015 and work to the wing filler panel and A-post in 2016 following an insurance-repaired, very low-speed knock at a roundabout (1mph).
I want to be clear that she is not a concours car. The bodywork needs attention in places, inside and out.
What you are starting with, however, is a matching-numbers early Targa in a rare factory metallic colour, still sitting on its original Fuchs.
INTERIOR
The interior is largely as you would hope to find in an honest 55-year-old 911 rather than one that has been completely restored and made new again.
The original carpets are still present and could do with a little gluing here and there. The classic-car world calls it “patina”; everyone else calls it 55-year-old carpet.
There are signs of age and use, as you would expect. This has always been a car to drive and enjoy rather than something I’ve tried to turn into a concours exhibit.
MECHANICAL CONDITION
Mechanically, the important point is that the engine has been rebuilt twice during the car’s life.
The first recorded rebuild was in the USA in 1991. The second, much more recent full rebuild was completed in 2016–17 by the late Angus Archer of Archer Motorsport and included a reground crankshaft, new bearings, timing chains and seals.
More recently, the clutch and clutch fork were replaced in 2025 using a Sachs kit.
She starts, runs and is still driven on sunny days.
There are some jobs for the next owner. The gear lever could do with tightening. I know how to drive her and it has never bothered me, but the next owner may want to tighten it. Recent advisories have also flagged the fuel lines and heat-exchanger pipes, and brake-efficiency testing has been on the low side at the last two checks. I’d much rather disclose those points now.
SUMMARY
This isn’t a concours 911 and I’m not advertising it as one. It’s an honest, matching-numbers 1971 911T Targa that I’ve owned for more than 20 years, with two engine rebuilds behind it, original Fuchs and that rare factory Metallic Green colour.
It has imperfections. It has patina. There are jobs to do. But it is also an early 2. 2-litre 911 that can still be taken out and enjoyed rather than stared at under fluorescent lights.
I’ve known the car for more than two decades and I’ll be genuinely sorry to see her go.
But after relocating abroad, it’s time for somebody else to have their turn.
And frankly, a chrome Targa hoop, Fuchs alloys and Metallic Green in the sunshine still looks absolutely fantastic!
