• Offered from The Carrera Collection
• Rare and exceptionally desirable, early “soft-window” Targa; the 159th of 521 produced for 1968
• Finished in the fashionable, period-correct colour combination of Irish Green over black leatherette
• German-delivery; imported to the USA in October 1968
• Benefits from a previous restoration
• Offered with a Porsche owner's manual

The loss of an open-roof car in Porsche's lineup was addressed with the September 1965 introduction of a new Targa roof model at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Commemorating Porsche's successive wins at Sicily’s famous Targa Florio road race, the new model was called Targa—a term coined to describe the open-roof body style. A production version became available the following year on both the 911 and 912 models.

The substantial safety rollover frame was finished in a satin-look steel with a lift-off roof in two sections—a rigid plastic panel over the passenger compartment and a zip-out plastic rear window. Initially, Targas rolled off assembly lines at a rate of seven per day (out of a total production of 55), but the number was quickly increased due to their popularity. Despite the larger numbers, just 718 were built during the first year of production. The versatile Targa set-up offered owners the weather protection of a coupé, or a convertible-like driving experience with the top removed and rear window folded down, all with the added safety and stability of a rollbar.

Beginning with February 1966 production, the factory embraced Weber carburettors in place of the Solex models, addressing a flat spot in acceleration noted with earlier models. With the introduction of an updated model in August 1968, the rear window was changed to fixed glass, adding to the allure of the original zip-out rear 'soft-window' models, such as this example. For those extremely particular Porsche customers, the ‘soft-window’ option remained available via special order until 1971.

This exceptionally desirable 1968 911 T Targa is the 159th of only 521 examples produced for the model year. Delivered new on 26 July to the famous dealer Glöckler of Frankfurt in the colour combination of Tangerine over black leatherette, chassis 11870159’s accompanying Kardex copy (available to view on file) shows the fitment of safety belts, light alloy Fuchs wheels, and a Recaro sport seat for the driver. By October 1968, it had been purchased by the Californian Porsche dealer Nicolaus von Rosenberg of West Hollywood and imported to his residence. The Kardex notes that any of von Rosenberg’s warranty claims within the car’s initial 10,200 kilometres were processed by the factory via Glöckler.

By 1984, this 911 Targa resided in Connecticut and reportedly then sported a blue paintjob. In May 1990, it was purchased by an Italian enthusiast and imported from New York state to his residence in Bassan del Grappa, Vicenza. Between 1991 and 2003, the car is thought to have been subject to a restoration that had it refinished in the fashionable, factory-correct colour of Irish Green over a neatly trimmed black leatherette cabin.

This handsome Targa has resided within The Carrera Collection since June 2016, and under the consignor’s ownership it has been fitted with an attractive smattering of period-style modifications including a driver’s side Talbot mirror, auxiliary Hella fog lamps, and wood-rimmed steering wheel. An enticing early example benefitting from fair-weather exercise, this presents an excellent opportunity to acquire an uncommon “soft-window” specimen of Porsche’s legendary Targa model.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/c223.