1996 Porsche 911 Targa

Chassis No. WP0DA2992TS385209
Engine No. 64T02421
Transmission No. 1005087

The Porsche 911 Targa was a stroke of genius, the type of design that often emerges in difficult times, in this case, the expected change in American roll-over regulations for convertibles and cabriolets like the Porsche 356. Within two years Porsche debuted the new 912, 911, and 911 S Targa with its roll-over bar and the rest is history! In fact, the design was so well-received that it outsold the coupe despite the fact that it was more expensive. To further reinforce the quality of design, it went virtually unchanged through three generations of 911 over 25 years of production.

The first of these changes emerged in late 1995 for the 1996 model year coinciding with the release of the new 993-generation 911. For the first time, the removable, semi-rigid top with roll-over bar, and wrap-around all-glass rear window was replaced with an expansive all-glass roof that more closely mimicked the coupe's trademark roofline. In effect, it was an extremely large sunroof, but it was one that expanded the spaciousness of the interior in a novel manner. This new Targa, just like the previous generation was a hit, especially among the crowd interested in something different. Along with the roof change, many of these Targa buyers opted for Porsche's Tiptronic transmission. In fact, it is rare to find 993-generation 911 Targa equipped with a manual transmission as we have with this example on offer from Collectors Garage.

Constructed in November 1995, this 1996 model year 911 Targa was destined to be distributed by Porsche Cars North America. Finished in Black with Cashmere / Black partial leather interior. Along with the Targa body option it was further optioned with 8-way electric seats right and left, cruise control, sound system, and a CDR-210 Becker CD-radio. In addition, it was ordered with two Exclusive options, a Dark Rootwood manual shift knob and Dark Rootwood parking brake lever that further complement the interior specification.

The CARFAX Vehicle History Report indicates that the car was in North Carolina in 1999 and by the end of the year accrued just over 27,000 miles. By 2002 it was relocated to New Hampshire with 48,829 miles. Additional CARFAX entries indicate that it was sold to a California owner in January 2006 and then to New Mexico before being exported to the Netherlands. Today this US-specification 911 Targa has returned to its homeland of Germany in remarkably stock condition with the replacement of the small, US-specification front rubber bumperettes with Rest-of-World (RoW) specification lighting being the only noticeable changes. According to the Targa's history file it passed the famously stringent TÜV roadworthiness test in the summer of 2022 – a testament to the level of service and care this rare, matching numbers, manual transmission 911 Targa has received over the 27 years.