1969 Porsche 911S Soft Window Targa Irish Green

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The Porsche 911 received its first major changes for the 1969 model year, the most important of which was the lengthening of the wheelbase by 2.4-inches, to both improve handling and interior space. The wheel openings were flared slightly to accommodate wider wheels and larger tires, ventilating slots were added to the Targa’s “basket-handle” rollbar, and the top-of-the-line high-performance 911 S received Bosch mechanical fuel injection, as well as a front-mounted auxiliary oil cooler and lighter-weight alloy front disc brake calipers.

This 1969 B-series 911 S Targa has benefitted from a complete cosmetic restoration and mechanical freshening. It is the 176thof 614 911 S Targas built that year, but Porsche was phasing out the Targa’s original zip-out window design, replacing it with a fixed, curved glass rear window. Only a small number of “soft-window” S Targas were constructed in 1969; this is said to have been a “Special Order” specification. About 37 are listed by the Early 911S Registry. As such, the consignor believes that only nine, including this one, are accounted for today.

A copy of the factory Kartex, included with the car, notes that it was delivered November 22, 1968 to Porsche Cars of America in New Jersey. It was ordered in Irish Green (6806) with a Black interior, which included a pair of leather Recaro Sport Seats with black and white Houndstooth inserts. An unusual option was the “Rear-seat delete,” which replaced the usual folding rear seat-backs with a flat carpeted box containing two storage lockers. The car was also delivered with bumper guards, a raised-hub steering wheel, a Becker Europa II radio and antenna, stainless rocker strips, and Fuchs 5x17-inch forged alloy “Windmill” wheels mounted with Michelin tires.

This handsome example was discovered in San Diego in 2010 by a member of the Early 911S Registry and was acquired by the consignor, also a Registry member, in 2011. The previous owner had disassembled the car and commissioned a glass-out repaint. A small area of rust on the floorpan was later discovered by the consignor and properly repaired. The entire floorpan was then undercoated with original materials. The interior was completely restored by Autos International, which also replaced the soft top’s plastic rear window. The consignor states that the folding Targa top panel was recently replaced; it and the original folding frame are in good condition. All the instruments are fully functional and the odometer currently reads 53,250 miles, though is believed to have already turned over.

At some earlier point, this car’s original 2.0-liter, 170 horsepower S engine was replaced with a correct replacement from the same series. The previous owner had the top end overhauled by a mechanic at Rusnak Porsche in Thousand Oaks. The work included valves and guides, and new piston rings. The Bosch mechanical fuel injectors and pump were overhauled by Eurometrix and Pacific Fuel Injection. The Type 901/07 transaxle and disc brakes were rebuilt by the consignor’s own air-cooled 911 specialty shop. The undercarriage has also been fully restored to as-new appearance by the current owner. Finally, the car’s Fuchs alloy wheels were refinished by Wheel Enhancement Inc. 

This rare Soft Window Targa is fitted with H1 headlamps, a copy of its Kardex, owner’s manual, original tonneau cover and storage bag, correct tool kit, and jack. It presents beautifully, and offers its next Porsche enthusiast many more enjoyable miles of fast motoring, accompanied by the unmistakable soundtrack of that mechanically-injected flat six.