100K-Mile 911 Targa Gets Well-Deserved Restoration

Rough Start

The Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge never ceases to amaze us. The talent on display is second to none, and that certainly applies to this year's winner - a 1989 Porsche 911 Targa G-Model restored by Porsche Ontario. When the dealership first acquired this car, it had 117k miles on the clock, and it was in pretty rough shape, with a leaky flat-six, faded paint, and leather that was severely cracked and worn, but that is certainly no longer the case.

Photos: Porsche

Big Win

"What a trio! We are proud to have competed against Porsche Dallas and Porsche Warrington this weekend at Sportscar Together Fest. Both of their teams did an incredible job on these 964 Carrera vehicles," said Manni Viana, Porsche Ontario Service Manager. "What started out nearly a year ago has now resulted in a Restoration Challenge national championship. We couldn't have done this without the hard work from our Tech Foreman, Matthew Esber, and the rest of our team. We'd like to thank everybody that voted for us and supported us along the way. We're proud to bring the trophy home."

Photos: Porsche

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Clever Marketing

Of course, the Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge is a clever marketing ploy that shows off just how capable the brand's in-house restoration experts are. Regardless, that doesn't diminish the important work being done here, which is perfectly exemplified by this particular 911 Targa. This is a car that needed attention in every single area, but now, it's even better than new.

Photos: Porsche

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Something Special

Instead of restoring this car to stock, the team at Porsche Ontario chose to do something a little different, however. "We decided that it would be a cool idea if we, instead of just restoring the car as it came out of the factory, why not turn it into an RS? Turn it into something special?" Viana said. "So that’s what we did."

Photos: Porsche

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RS Inspired

Thus, the team resprayed the 911 black, but added red stripes and Carrera script on the sides, along with red wheels. They also lowered the car to Euro-spec and added a front spoiler and a ducktail out back. The end result is a Porsche that proved to be just a bit more appealing than its stiff competition.

Photos: Porsche

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Childhood Dream

"If you told me I would be re-building a 3.2 Carrera engine as part of a Porsche Classic competition I would have told you that you were crazy," Viana said. "This project was a culmination of all the love and passion for the brand that I've had since childhood."

Photos: Porsche

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Total Honor

"I have been with Porsche for over 30 years as a Technician in Motorsport while doing retail and now as a Service Manager at the newest Dealership in Los Angeles," Viana said. "It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my owner Steve Kienle, my GM Mark Marchant, my Foreman Matt Esber, and my whole team at Porsche of Ontario. Being able to put my skills to the test and be competing among the best Porsche restorations in the country is one of the best achievements I’ve had in my career and I have never been prouder. Metal sharpens metal and to be a finalist in Indiana with the best, is an honor."

Photos: Porsche

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