1976 PORSCHE 911 Targa

Background

A PREMIUM WILL BE CHARGED ON THIS AUCTION OF 5% OF THE HAMMER PRICE (PLUS VAT IN THE UK AND EUROPE). MIN £500 + VAT - MAX £5,000 (+ VAT)

For the true car enthusiast, a life lived without owning a Porsche 911, is all the poorer. But which model to choose? There are so very many and of course it is still possible to walk into a glitzy showroom and order a brand new 911, complete with all the bells and whistles.

In one of the automotive world’s most extraordinary tales of longevity, the rear-engined, six-cylinder sports car from Stuttgart is still going strong in the present day.

Having first appeared in 1963, classic 911 aficionados can now choose from an incredible variety of flavours. From the elegant Butzi Porsche designed original, with its evolved 356 looks and in all its air-cooled glory, through legendary hardcore ‘S and Carrera RS models, to the barnstorming Turbo.

There’s a Porsche 911 for every budget, and you’ll be assured of clean lines, well-engineered mechanicals and groovy period cabins that combine to give that quintessential 911 experience.

Engines were naturally aspirated or fuel-injected until the 1975 arrival of the Turbo, while gearboxes could be had in manual or semi-auto Sportomatic formats.

Your final choice: tin-top, targa or ragtop? For some a convertible roof rips at the fabric (no pun intended) of the car’s aesthetic soul, whilst a Coupe denies you any free-flowing pleasure. So why not combine both? Porsche is after all the targa-meister.

If that’s you, and you’re looking for a project, then this one should be right up your Strasse.

The Vehicle

Built in 1976 and first registered in the UK in October 1981, this left-hand-drive 911 targa has a 163 bhp 2.7-litre engine with K-Jetronic fuel injection.

It is also equipped with a Sportomatic automated-manual transmission, which is essentially a 3-speed manual gearbox with an automatic clutch and torque converter fitted. Changing gear simply involves moving the stick, and a pressure switch operates the clutch for you. Around from the late ‘60s, Sportomatic was discontinued after 1980.

911s built between 1974 and 1989 - easily distinguished from the earlier cars by the impact bumpers - are often referred to collectively as G-series cars but this is inaccurate as the letter was advanced each year. This car is therefore a K-series 911.

According to the DVLA, the Targa hasn’t been taxed since 1993, so it has probably been off the road for at least 30 years. An odometer reading of just under 60,000 miles is therefore credible, although this can’t be warranted and the instrument would in any case have originally been in kilometres.

Very much a project, but at first sight not a full restoration, this non-runner has been standing for some time in the previous owner’s garage. We understand that it was something of a project when he acquired it and that he started work on it but didn’t get very far.

Our vendor acquired the 911 when his friend and fellow Porsche Club member, the previous owner, passed away. He initially thought to take on the project but has realised that he doesn’t have the time to devote to it.

On the Outside

The exterior bodywork itself is not in too bad a condition. There are small areas of exposed rust and bubbling on most of the panels but nothing that appears individually significant and there’s no obvious damage.

Paint-wise, it is likely to be a full hit across the car so this may be an opportunity for a colour change if Silver Metallic doesn’t excite - although keeping things original usually works best for values.

There are various pieces of trim either missing or becoming detached, like the offside headlamp seal and nearside front and rear bumper corner rubbers. None of the engine cover badges appear to be present either.

The silver rollover hoop and black vinyl-covered targa panel look in good order externally and the roof seems to fit well. The lining on the inside, however, has succumbed to mildew.

The car sits on its original 15-inch ATS “cookie cutter” alloy wheels with black painted inners and silver grey rims. For what it’s worth the tyres are a mix including Goodyear Eagles and are probably good enough for moving the car around a workshop but will all need replacing for road use.

On the Inside

Inside the car, the black upholstery is generally in good order - perhaps looking worse than it is due to the presence of mildew. Looking more closely, there is some stitching that has come undone on the checked fabric of the driver’s seat and both front seats’ facings could do with a good clean, but the leather upholstery elsewhere looks intact and undamaged.

There is mildew present on many surfaces, including the roof liner and the seats. We have seen photos of the car from late last year when this mould wasn’t present to the same degree, so perhaps it has only recently taken hold having been in a more humid environment than when it was stored long term.

The instrument panel is showing tiny specks of rust around the dials, but all seems in order otherwise. The stereo head unit has been removed but the wiring looks to still be in place, as are the Pioneer door speakers. The driver’s door window motor unit is not attached but is in the box of parts.

Observant viewers will notice the lack of a third pedal and the letters on the H-pattern gear knob in place of numbers. P is park-lock, R is reverse, L is low (first), D is drive (second) and D3 is third gear. No doubt driving this Sportomatic car will involve many left-foot phantom clutch releases until you get used to not having to.

The black carpets look in a surprisingly good condition and should just need a clean to bring them back.

Underneath

The front boot opens to reveal that all liners are present and apparently intact, as is the jack. Underneath is a steel spare wheel fitted with a collapsible BF Goodrich tyre. The floor of the frunk appears to be solid and free of any significant corrosion and the fuel tank looks a more recent replacement.

The undersides of the car have a thick coating of old underseal and road dirt. There is light damage to the rear offside corner of the bodywork and rust on the bracing underneath. Although there’s no sign of any other damage or significant corrosion, we haven’t undertaken a thorough inspection, so bidders should satisfy themselves with the condition of the car.

The rear brake callipers and discs have been removed, as has the exhaust back box and a few other items, but all appear to have been kept with the car. Despite the lack of use in the last few decades, the previous owner did some work on it as there is evidence of newer parts having been fitted here and there.

We understand that although it doesn’t start or run - and we wouldn’t risk trying it anyway - the crank does turn freely. The engine number of 6369356 is correct for the year, capacity and power output so is likely the original motor.

History Highlights

There is no record of an MOT online and DVLA information suggests that the car has been off the road since at least 1993.

There is a small amount of paperwork including driver's manual, various parts booklets, and a few invoices.

There are a number of parts that look like they’ve come off the car that have been retained for restoration or replacement. We recommend that you scrutinise the detailed photos of the car’s condition and all the parts to see what may or may not be missing in order to work out where your best bid might be.

What We Think

Targa. It’s one word, but what a word. Porsche took it and gave it meaning. Hear it now and you instantly know what it means, top-off 6-cylinder motoring from one of the world’s finest sports car makers.

Clearly this particular 911 Targa - with a rather rare gearbox - needs some love and a bit of work before it can be returned to the road. But we think that in this state, as a largely complete car needing a mechanical recommissioning and a bodywork refresh, it will sell for between £20,000 and £30,000.

For some time, the targa top 911 was overlooked by many enthusiasts and collectors, but in recent years more are coming to see the “best of both” benefits of the removable roof panel and prices have climbed. If you’re handy with the spanners and like to wield the wet and dry, here’s your chance to get into a true Porsche classic at a point where you can put your own stamp onto it.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

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