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Soft Window Targa: 1968 Porsche 912

You could be forgiven for having mixed emotions about this rough 1968 Porsche 912 soft window Targa. The soft window models are desirable right out of the box for their rarity, but this example also left the factory wearing an eye-popping shade of OEM paint known as Tangerine. Unfortunately, that paint is long gone and there is a non-insignificant amount of rust to contend with, along with a non-matching engine. Find the 912 here on eBay with bids to $2,700 and no reserve.

This photo shows a fraction of the rust repair awaiting the next owner. Underbody shots reveal major corrosion in the chassis, requiring extensive repairs or an entire floorpan swap. The interior is far from tidy, but at least it is mostly all there. The 912’s passenger side door will not open, likely due to a bad door latch mechanism, but potentially could be more serious if the structure was tweaked. The seller notes it retains its matching five-speed manual gearbox.

Curiously, the engine is from a 1956 Porsche 356A. It is stuck due to sitting, but it’s tempting to think the next owner could pull that engine, free it up, and then list it for sale in what will likely be a fast transaction for someone searching for a correct, date-coded engine for their 356 project. Use the proceeds to build a hot rod 2.7L mill for this Targa, but only after all the bodywork and chassis strengthening is done.

The 912 rides on cool, two-piece period wheels. It almost looks poised in this picture, with an eye-catching stance and gold-painted wheels, but then your gaze drifts over to the prodigious amounts of rust affecting the rear quarters and multiple spaces on the body, and the wheels quickly become a distant memory. If you have to own a Targa, soft window models are worth looking at; whether this one should be restored is a question best left to the Porsche experts.

Comments

  1. bobhess bobhess Member

    Nothing left here. Pull the engine and transmission and junk the rest.

    Like 12
    • Avatar bry593

      It ain’t just the windows that are soft. You can add 1/4’s, rockers, fenders, floors, etc….

      Like 2
  2. Avatar JACKinNWPA Member

    It looks poised alright, poised to fall over. What bobhess said.

    Like 7
  3. Avatar Ralph

    This is a rare soft targa, soft floor, soft rocker soft everything special model……

    Like 5
  4. Avatar Stangalang

    Keep the wheels too..

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Johnny

    Don,t be a bit surprised if someone won,t pay more for this bucket of rust on EBAY. Sometimes I think the SALER is doing MOST of the bidding.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar DETROIT LAND YACHT

    pass.

    Like 4
  7. Avatar JudoJohn

    Really? Maybe for a different sucker. I don’t know if there would be anything left after you started to remove the rust. Looks like maybe 40-50K in bodywork, 30K or better in mechanical work, for a 35-50K valued car.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar Trenton L

    Pass. I have a rear-ended 1966 Shelby to take care of but might add this to my watch list on ebay

    Like 0
  9. Avatar Andrew Franks

    No.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Steve

    Some folks really kill me leaving these old Porsche’s out in the weather.RIP.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Rob

    The door jams are literally caved in, it’s a 912, and it has an even slower engine than what came in it originally. Maybe, and it’s a maybe, you could sell the engine, which probably doesn’t run, to someone who wants to put it in a 356. The rest of it is too far gone.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Jaker76

    Run don’t walk away form this pile of rust!!!! Some day the bubble will burst on these piles of rust Porsches bringing stupid money!!! Costs to redo this car puts it so upside down the value once it was done!!! Run Forest run!!

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Jack Quantrill

    Don’t laff, someone will buy this for a tidy sum!

    Like 0
  14. Avatar TCOPPS Member

    I think the oceanfront property in Arizona is a better deal. Over $9K and still a day left? How is that even possible?

    Like 1

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