1973 Porsche 911E Targa

This relatively late F Series (first-generation) 911 was originally supplied to America. The history file shows stays in various dry states including Texas and California. Unusually for a US import, this Porsche comes with a good deal of its Stateside history, charting plenty of care for decades before its arrival on UK shores in 2017. 

The invoices also chart substantial parts buying around the same time, which the vendor tells us coincides with the car’s restoration. “Purchased and restored in 2017/18, the car then went on its first road trip to Le Mans, followed by three more through France, each with the objective (achieved) of only putting the roof on overnight, or in heavy rain.

“The restoration included a strip down and rebuild of all running gear, and a repaint. We retained the original underseal as it was in such good order, only repainting one or two areas as required. Engine and box came out for full detailing, new heat exchangers, exhaust, fuel tank, hoses, filter and pump, and clutch were fitted, and the injection pump and distributor rebuilt; the whole interior was re trimmed and carpeted.”

You can see photographs of the restoration in the gallery.

Still looking superb, despite being used since for high days and continental touring, this 911 is only being passed to a new owner as it shares garage space currently with several other classics. “The 911 forms part of a small collection of six classics, two modern classics and a classic tractor.”

Repainted in the same shade of Gemini Blau – according to an accompanying Porsche Certificate of Production – that it left the factory with the exterior of this 911 delights in all lights. The colour has a metallic shimmer when the sun’s out and, when it’s not, helps evoke images of fine days away at the coast.

Accompanying Fuchs alloy wheels look highly presentable, with just a few minor marks to most giving a little patina – nearside front most obviously affected. Matching Yokohama BluEarth tyres (with an equally complimentary full-size spare), carry a date stamp of 2017 – lining up with the vendor’s comments regarding the car’s recommissioning. The tread and age seems to suggest that there’s still plenty more touring miles left in them.

Chrome work looks good, as do the rubber seals throughout. There’s just some very mild surface corrosion beginning on one of the rear bumper overriders, and very minor chips and scratches here and there. For example, there have been touch-ups to both door shuts, with a Gemini Blau (335/96E) touch-up bottle still residing within the glovebox.

A tidy yet spartan cabin greets with the doors and roof open. The black plastic and vinyl likely won’t cause your heart to skip a beat, but it’s all very neat and tidy. The orange needles on those famously understated 911 dials provide about as much colour as you’re likely to see in one of these. Grey carpet and black trim all look good, with metalwork under the former seemingly as corrosion free as you’d hope for a car that’s resided in a hot, dry climate.

The manual five-speed pattern’s still just about visible on the gear knob, although it has some cracks. There are some leaves and dirt in the ‘frunk’, and a little surface corrosion on the odd inspection cover but nothing that a quick wire brush and rattle can couldn’t solve. The same seems to be true of the metal underneath the cabin carpet, which only seems to show a few light spots of surface corrosion, with lots of wax protection remaining. Crucially, for a Targa, we didn’t see any signs of moisture and – according to the invoice history – the tops have just been treated to a refresh.

We didn’t get a chance to drive this one, but the vendor took it on an extended drive to bring the 911 to us and has the following to report: “The three-hour drive to Bonhams was glorious on a rare hot and sunny day (open top of course). Nonetheless I know I’ll be using the other cars more, another 911 is on Le Mans duty this year, so it’s time to ask someone else to kindly be her custodian.

“The 911 uses almost no oil, save for a couple of drips here and there, and drives beautifully, further confirming the excellence of the engine and box – Swepco (lubricant) was added to the latter, which helps. The hazard warning lights have stopped working – I only noticed that just before heading to Bonhams so ran out of time to rectify – and the clock has never worked, I use my watch… Occasionally main beam flash takes a holiday, but main beam itself always works; everything else is fine.”

Looking over the car, we were impressed by the overall visual condition of its moving parts, with lots of new or nearly new bits seemingly added to the running gear. The all-important (for an air-cooled engine) fan drive belt looks good, and the engine bay generally looks dry and tidy. There are spare belts and a tool roll present and underneath proper looks great, with only very minimal surface corrosion showing on a handful of components. Oh, and the end plastic intake trunking appears to be missing, which should direct cold air flow from the bottom nearside of engine bay.

As mentioned already, the car’s history shows that it was built on 26 March 1973 and sold in Houston Texas, USA on 23 May 1973. Early Porsche and specialist service stamps can be clearly seen up to 1975, with invoices taking over from the late-1980s to the mid-1990s. 

There’s a host of invoices for work to the car once it reached our shores, as the vendor explains… “The car was rot free but had stood for many years, with the paint very faded, having also received a rather poor ‘blow over’ repaint in the States. Matching numbers with Porsche Cert. of Production. Imported and fully restored (with photo evidence). Extensive service history from the US and UK, including in April/May 2024 refurbishment of the Targa top and full engine and brake service.”

We had a peruse through the invoices and have pulled out the following points as highlights.

• MoT until October 2024.
• Displayed mileage has ‘gone round’ (98,259 miles reported in 2017).
• Latest service parts came from Design 911 for a rocker gasket and oil & filter change in April 2024. Targa restoration kit added at the same time £356.25.
• Rear suspension strip and removal, ride height and tracking adjustment and brake light and switch replacement by Strasse, Leeds in Sept. 2022 (£813.86)
• Substantial service and remedial work in April 2019 at Strasse, Leeds. 
• Carrera Performance, Horsham reassembled the car in October 2018 (£4975 & £8855.58). 
• Various new parts ordered from German specialist in December 2017 (€11,594.93).
• Bosch fuel metering unit rebuilt to 911E specification by Tower Bridge Diesels in May 2018 (£1540).
• Lots of older invoices from German Speciality Cars in Roseville, California with American invoices charting on-going care back to the late-1980s.

With summer allegedly already upon us here in the UK, there’s surely no better time than now to treat yourself to some open-top motoring, even if it’s just for a few fine months – ok, who are we kidding, weeks! 

This 911 Targa has seemingly led a charmed life with dry states in the US keeping corrosion away and sparing use on our shores and across Europe coinciding with plenty of spend to keep the car running well and looking great. 

With a good deal of history and recent spend to boot, and with an MoT that runs until October, you can jump in this 911 Targa and enjoy it right away. 

We are happy to offer this vehicle for auction with an estimate in the range of £60,000 - £70,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.