This 1978 Porsche 911 Targa is said to have under 50,000 original miles and features a somewhat rare shade of paint known as Anthracite Grey over black leather. The seller reports it has been maintained to a high standard and it’s just a few small cosmetic blemishes that keep it from being “concours show stopper.” The 911 is listed here on craigslist by only the second owner and sold with full records and original window sticker for $65,000 or best offer.
I know I keep bringing it up, but I can’t get over how the targa models have exploded in the desirability. I’ve always felt a targa version of anything was truly the best of both worlds, with the only real downside being general weather tightness and the loss of some structural rigidity. On that last point, however, most of us will never be a situation where we’ll even notice that percentage-based decrease in structural integrity, and whatever the loss is, the open air nature of a targa roof more than makes up for it.
The 964-chassis Targa has literally exploded in value, with clean, low mileage Targas sometimes selling at a higher price point than a traditional coupe with average miles. I don’t know if this is for the reasons I mentioned above, or simply because the Targa was sold in very limited quantities and now is likely one of the rarest air-cooled models you can buy. Plus, if you’re a targa guy or gal at heart, you likely look at how complex the roof systems became starting with the 993 generation and yearn for the simplicity of a model like this one.
The engine bay is tidy and the seller references that his car has been looked after by none other than the world renown Porsche specialist Canepa in Scotts Valley. Couple that with claims of a stack of records going back to the original owner and you have what sounds like a very well-documented 911. The gray paint is a nice change of pace from the usual reds and blacks, and overall, it’s hard to disagree with the seller’s assessment that this Targa is currently a 9 out of 10. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Todd K. for the find.
Inherited a ‘76 Targa 911S many years ago w/ a ‘78 engine transplant.
Loved that car.
Then GF didn’t think it practical.
Shoulda kept the car-and the CJ, and the Midget..
Life is a lousy teacher, giving us the test 1st and the lesson afterwards!
I think that the recent rise in popularity with the old school 911Targa is exactly what the author of this article says. It is because of the more complex 934 model with the retractable top.
My mother was perusing a magazine that was local to our families location at the time. Many people were interested in the Mercedes 250SL. My mother had been keen on it as a way to have a 2+2 and the trunk to carry my father’s gold clubs and be able to stow a couple of over night bags.
It was my father who had seen the article in a leading magazine about the 1973 Porsche 911 Targa and it’s Sportomatic transmission making it easy for both to enjoy.
My father really liked it and placed it out on the coffee table for my mother to see.
That weekend (was away on business) brought up the conversation about the sporty and very different Porsche 911 Targa. My father loved the convertible idea, my mother liked that it was available as a 2+2
This brought them to Pray Porsche in Greenwich Connecticut to take a look at one.
That day they fell in love all over again and placed an order for a Gemini Blue 1973 Porsche 911 Targa with the Sportomatic transmission. They needed the Porsche factory to raise the steering wheel and that was the only request.
My mother loved that sports car. It was my father’s on the weekend to take to the Scarsdale Country Club to show off to his executive buddies who were in their Ferrari, Lamborghini and other European sports cars of the Era.
Iin the fall of 1993, my father sold it to a man in Connecticut to be replaced by an 94 Porsche 944