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Crazy Colors: 1971 Porsche 911 Targa

I’m not necessarily a Porsche fan, however I am a fan of impeccable survivors, and cars that are blue. This 1971 Porsche 911 is all three of those things, and I can’t find anything about it I don’t like. Originally purchased in Italy by an American Air Force Pilot, this car found its way stateside only to be sold to another Air Force pilot. That pilot drove the car sparingly, stored it indoors, and eventually sold it to a collector who kept it for the last 26 years. The seller states  that this is a very rare exterior color, having only seen two in his life and coming from a family that has collected Porsches for 30 years, I would say that makes it pretty uncommon. Find it here on eBay in Indiana with bidding at $45,745 and the reserve not met.

Perhaps my favorite aspect of this car is the beautiful red-orange interior. I could not think of a more perfect color to set off the unique blue paint, and having covered only 3,430 miles in its 46 years of existence the seats are in like-new condition. From the pictures, the entire interior of this Porsche appears to be in like-new condition and I find it hard to believe it has been driven any amount of miles!

Behind the back seat is the 2.3 air-cooled Porsche flat six cylinder engine. This engine makes 140 horsepower, which may not seem like a lot but in a car like this it must surely feel like a lot. The seller is certainly educated on his Porsches, and can answer any questions a buyer may have, if they haven’t already been answered in the largely detailed eBay listing. The seller states that the picture do not do the car justice, and I do not doubt that. From the photos, it looks like this car would show excellently in person.

The clear tail light lenses are a sure sign that this is a grey-market Porsche, and although a red color would still look nice on this car, the Euro-spec tail lights add to the history of the car. I have never had a desire to own a Porsche, but this car makes me think I want one! With only 1,523 Targas of this vintage produced, this could be a wise investment for the well-educated discerning buyer who can restrain him/herself from driving this car daily! Would you buy it as a collectors item, show car, driver, or all three?

Comments

  1. Avatar John Holden

    Funny, I was just watching now a Jay Leno segment and a similar-coloured Porsche 911 (bored out to 3.8 l):
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7OR1BiqkrY

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  2. Avatar Dave Wright

    No such thing as a 2.3 Porsche engine………….it is an iron crank 911T…….they have less value than an S but Porsche didn’t like to make a Targa in an S because it has less body rigidity…….they did but had to be pulled kicking and screaming.

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    • Avatar Moxman

      I also agree that the engine size is off. This year model was equipped with a 2.2 liter engine, if memory serves me correctly. The T engine also had milder cams than the S and different sized brakes. That’s why the S models are more valuable. The “T” designation stood for touring. It’s also a little odd to see a T with rallye lamps on the hood. They’re really cool and you don’t see them very often. This car is a stunning example of the breed and probably worth every penny of the asking price. It amazes me how much the prices of the 911 have shot up!

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      • Avatar Dave Wright

        Yes…….there many upgrades on the S…….making them more valueable. The less radical cams and iron crank limited the red line from 7000 to something like 6,000 or maby 5500. These were as you said designed for cruising and there is nothing bad or wrong about that…….just not as valueable as an S. The 2.2’s were not a popular engine with enthusiasts but that was probably because of the smog restrictions of the time. The great 2.0’s went away about the same time some restrictions came about.

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    • Avatar Chris

      well, there is. 2.3 l S/T race car.

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  3. Avatar joe

    Richard Petty blue.

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  4. Avatar David Miraglia

    always loved the 911. Wish I had the money for one.

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  5. Avatar survivor

    This isn’t a survivor. It’s had a “bare-metal repaint.”

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    • Avatar Steve R

      You are right. The ad states, ” no rust at all”, which isn’t the same thing as, no rust ever. It has had a lot of work for a car with such low mileage that has been in storage since 1976.

      Steve R

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  6. Avatar giorgitd

    New York Mets colors

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  7. Avatar ccrvtt

    I was working at a Porsche – Audi dealership when the owner took delivery of a brand-new 1973 911S Targa finished in silver over black leather. That was indeed a gorgeous car. Can’t get used to this color, however it’s definitely a nice find.

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  8. Avatar Jack

    The pictures show license plates from Rhode Island and Kentucky. For sale in Carmel, Indiana. Sold originally in Italy. This car got around for only having 3,430 miles on it. If it was stored inside for 40 years and the whole entire car needed to be rebuilt and repainted and refinished, this car must have been ridden hard and put away wet for the first 6 years of it’s life.

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  9. Avatar Woodie Man

    Well I’ve had two..an early soft window 1966 Targa with S kit and a 1970 911 T that I just sold last year, much to my chagrin. The Targa was a slot car, the T not so much but the T was a 3 owner California car with sunroof and dealer installed air…..the hat trick for me.

    I’d like to be left another one if I have any unknown relatives out there.

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  10. Avatar Britcarguy

    I wonder if the color combo could have been a tribute to the Gulf Porsche team cars. Time period is right.

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  11. Avatar Bobror

    Well there was a 2.3 engine, sort of. The 1972-3 cars were 2341cc but were called 2.4.

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  12. Avatar bog

    I agree with those questioning why all that work was done to such a low-mileage Porsche. Flood ? Fire ? Acid rain ? Somebody spill jet fuel on it in the hanger ? Now I’m getting silly. I have seen Porsches that color in Germany while I was there “way back when”. Having looked at all the photos and ad, I see 2 things I’m not fond of. “Hood” is never shown completely closed/latched, and it is supposedly “disability” equipped. Hm. I actually was looking to buy a new Porsche in ’71, and the Targa didn’t appeal to me then, doesn’t now. It did come with a 2.2 new, so maybe when it was rebuilt it was also bored out a bit.

    Like 0

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