The Porsche 911 is 60 years old. And that's reason enough to make a report with a 911. The nice thing is that Auto Motor Klassiek thanks to very nice contacts, the opportunity was given to make a story about a very special specimen. That is a new 911 S Targa from the autumn of 1967, delivered in West Germany. A Porsche too, which came to the Netherlands in 1974. Ron Moës restored the car. Blood, sweat, tears and patience resulted in the revival of a car with a beautiful history and its own life story.
A very good acquaintance of Ron asked him to restore the Porsche to its former glory. In some ways that happened literally, and figuratively. Ron put back many original parts, and renewed many things on the car, the chassis and body of which are matching. That does not apply to the engine, which of course has the fixed 911 spot: in the back.
The power source is a 2.4 engine. This was already in the Porsche when the current owner bought the car. The 911 S Targa was originally delivered new with the 2.0 engine 160 DIN hp engine. Already during the first years the reportage copy got a bigger engine. That was the 2.4, which was given a place in the 1972 from model year 911. You may say: “that's not matching”. Which can. But the application of this engine also says something about the history of a car, but an engine transplant also makes the history of a car.
The same applies to the original specifications. One of the features of this Targa is that it is supplied with a fixed rear window. That's for sure. The first Targa models had a flexible rear window (soft window), but the first owner ordered his 911 S Targa - from the Fleischhauer company in Cologne - with a fixed one. This means that this Porsche belongs to the group of the oldest Targas with a fixed rear window. And this car may even be the doyen within that group.
The Porsche regained many more original features. How about the beautiful Fuchs wheels, which retired the ATS rims mounted on this 911. And the beautiful paint color? Not a drop was misapplied. Or the extra Webasto heating unit, which ensured comfort on board during the cold months. And there is much more that makes this 911 S Targa special, such as the windscreen wipers that are positioned to the right. That too is a feature of one very early.
The extra heating is not necessary during a warm reporting day. The targa roof is neatly tidy. Ron and I take a seat in the Porsche. Ron drives, due to insurance issues I stay in the passenger seat. This way there is more time to take a good look at the inside of the car. Moreover: a 911 is no stranger to driving characteristics, although the older ones certainly have their own character. The interior is beautiful, and the trick is not to restore things too much. Ron carefully kept the original character intact.
There is no frills in the Porsche, but it never gets sober. And that 911 S logo on the right of the dashboard is enough to keep the harmonious sports interior in balance. No wood, no lavish chrome, no complicated switches: no, the art of omission leads to an interior that is balanced, while at the same time not denying the sporty nature. Because the interior breathes a pleasant form of sportiness, with various clocks in front of the driver. Instruments, which are mounted behind a steering wheel that is different from the original, but according to the drivers of the day, makes a significant contribution to the drivability. Another pleasant element is the five-speed dogleg gearbox. The first gear is at the bottom left, so you don't shift backwards but forwards. This applies to the gear changes from one to two and from three to four. From two to three and from four to five is done in reverse order.
The completely revised 2.4 engine brings that typical air-cooled Flachsechs sound upwards, one of the trademarks of the classic 911. And the power source enables the Porsche to move forward, and the 911 Targa S to drive quite shifty. You notice - also on the comfortable co-driver's seat - that the engine picks up nice and early. The Turismo capabilities are further enhanced by the fine suspension and damping characteristics, which add a touch of comfort to the Targa. The shorter wheelbase compared to later 911 models does not have any negative influence on this.
This Blutorange and gorgeous Porsche 911 S Targa is the result of a patient, professional and beautifully executed restoration. Add to that the unique credentials of this car, which has regained its former glory. And that in a way that preserved the life history of this 911 S Targa, the original character and the classic 911 principles. It's precisely that combination that reveals why the 911 remains one of the most beloved sports cars in history. A combination that has been restored with verve, which shines on the banks of the Lek.
In a while you will read the extensive story about the restoration and the car in the magazine.
Many thanks to Ron Moës
Images: © Bart Spijker
Beautiful sports car, the only flaw in my opinion is the dash, of which unfortunately there is no photo that I would immediately replace with a more Italian copy, broadens your smile behind the steering wheel.😊
What a nice response and confirms exactly what we have been able to uncover in terms of data.
Still an overpriced flattened beetle. The simplicity adorns the 911 😲
Worked at Porsche Fleischhauer in Aachen in 1967. At that time, all Solex carburetors were replaced under warranty by Webers on the 911. The Solex carburetors could not be adjusted at all. Total engine overhaul, because they also broke, the engine was removed at half past seven in the morning. Then new pistons and bushes and bearings and at half past four the same day the chief mechanic took the motorway to Cologne for an extensive test drive.Interesting times.