Icons that make up a 911 icon: Part 5
06-18-2010, 02:28 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Icons that make up a 911 icon: Part 5
How do you like your latte today ?
Tall, double shot, skim milk, no whipped cream.
For your drive, how do you like the roof of your car today ?
Fully closed, top section out, rear section open or both open together or should I say hardtop, Bel air, Voyage and Spyder.
Yes, my next icon THE TARGA ROOF introduced in 1966 added a new
" wind-in-the-hair" thrill to the 911 . The targa concept was a stroke of genius by Porsche to preserve the sports car industry as safety activists during that time came down hard on several open sports cars labelling them as unsafe. Ever since it's production, Targas have been so popular with it’s owners and for a damn good reason I may add.
The term "Targa" which meant “shield” in Italian came from the Targa Florio road race in Sicily, where Porsche enjoyed many wins in the 1950s and 1960s. Originally the roof system consisted of a removable roof panel with a stainless steel-clad roll bar and a zippered plastic back window to create a truly open feel. After the first couple of years, the fold down section of the targa was quickly replaced by a wraparound glass rear window due to problems related to leaks and vandalism. Targas accounted for about 40% of the 911 sales in the initial years of production. The introduction of the 911 cabriolet led to the slow demise of the targa that was being touted as quite unconventional. With the introduction of the 993 there was no more a targa variant. In 1996 model year much to everyone’s surprise Porsche introduced the modern day targa version with an electrically operated glass panel that could slide backward. Compared to the original targa, the new targa took away with it some of the wind noise, leaks, suboptimal visibility associated with the original targa and almost all of the character and appeal of the original, IMO. The original targa: what a innovative concept, what a unique design, what a true 911 icon.
Wow factor: The distinctive design of the polished stainless steel roll-over hoop spanning the width of the car along with the stylish anodized Targa script making such a bold statement.
Tall, double shot, skim milk, no whipped cream.
For your drive, how do you like the roof of your car today ?
Fully closed, top section out, rear section open or both open together or should I say hardtop, Bel air, Voyage and Spyder.
Yes, my next icon THE TARGA ROOF introduced in 1966 added a new
" wind-in-the-hair" thrill to the 911 . The targa concept was a stroke of genius by Porsche to preserve the sports car industry as safety activists during that time came down hard on several open sports cars labelling them as unsafe. Ever since it's production, Targas have been so popular with it’s owners and for a damn good reason I may add.
The term "Targa" which meant “shield” in Italian came from the Targa Florio road race in Sicily, where Porsche enjoyed many wins in the 1950s and 1960s. Originally the roof system consisted of a removable roof panel with a stainless steel-clad roll bar and a zippered plastic back window to create a truly open feel. After the first couple of years, the fold down section of the targa was quickly replaced by a wraparound glass rear window due to problems related to leaks and vandalism. Targas accounted for about 40% of the 911 sales in the initial years of production. The introduction of the 911 cabriolet led to the slow demise of the targa that was being touted as quite unconventional. With the introduction of the 993 there was no more a targa variant. In 1996 model year much to everyone’s surprise Porsche introduced the modern day targa version with an electrically operated glass panel that could slide backward. Compared to the original targa, the new targa took away with it some of the wind noise, leaks, suboptimal visibility associated with the original targa and almost all of the character and appeal of the original, IMO. The original targa: what a innovative concept, what a unique design, what a true 911 icon.
Wow factor: The distinctive design of the polished stainless steel roll-over hoop spanning the width of the car along with the stylish anodized Targa script making such a bold statement.
06-18-2010, 02:31 AM
#2
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
GothingNC, thank you for the picture of your car. I had to pick the one that had the right wheels, hence this one. Ice for some reason your picture would not load and I am not tech savvy and did not know how to reduce the file size. Please post that beautiful shot you had sent me. C'mon targa boys in this forum, this is your chance; show off your sports car which is rapidly becoming an endangered species.
06-18-2010, 09:03 AM
#4
Drifting
06-18-2010, 01:33 PM
#6
Drifting
I think they started painting the roll bar black in 1980 and there was a Chrome Appearance option for the next couple of years.
I noticed the mid-year 74-75 Carreras came with painted bars.
John
I noticed the mid-year 74-75 Carreras came with painted bars.
John
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06-18-2010, 01:34 PM
#8
Parts Specialist
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
HAHHAA
I have to agree... Targa is where my dream started and the silver bar was more appealing to me than the later black ones. As a kid in JR. high art class (about 1979) every art project I did was Porsche and more spacificaly TARGA.... I might have to dig out some old trunk under my bench and see if I can find any of those old projects.
Love me some Targa, though when it came time to own a P-car I opted against it due to fears of leaks and seals being damaged. turns out I never was much good at glueing new rubber in a straight line
Beautiful pics!
I have to agree... Targa is where my dream started and the silver bar was more appealing to me than the later black ones. As a kid in JR. high art class (about 1979) every art project I did was Porsche and more spacificaly TARGA.... I might have to dig out some old trunk under my bench and see if I can find any of those old projects.
Love me some Targa, though when it came time to own a P-car I opted against it due to fears of leaks and seals being damaged. turns out I never was much good at glueing new rubber in a straight line
Beautiful pics!
06-18-2010, 06:34 PM
#14
Great addition to the series, but.....
.....my time is coming!
.....my time is coming!
