Skip advert
Advertisement

1966 Porsche 911 Targa

Price new/now: £3,152 (1973)/£45,000Engine/power: 2.0-2.4 flat-six/110-190bhp0-60/Top speed: 8.3-6.5 secs/124-145mphNumber produced: 26,036

Porsche’s first car – the 1948 356/1 prototype – was an open two-seater roadster. As the production 356 Cabriolet and Roadster models had built up a loyal customer base, it was hardly surprising that, early in the 911’s life, Ferry Porsche wanted an open version of his new sports car. However, with its fixed roof bar, the Targa took a different approach to its predecessors. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Named after the famous Targa Florio road race, in which Porsche achieved more post-war wins than any other manufacturer, the Targa was announced in 1965 and went into production in December 1966. The first versions had a 2.0-litre flat-six and came with a plastic zip-out screen. They proved to be popular after initial concerns from dealers in the crucially important Californian market that the Targa wasn’t ‘open’ enough to be a real wind-in-the-hair sports car. 

By 1969, the zip-out plastic rear screen had been replaced by a more attractive heated glass unit. The distinctive polished stainless steel roll bar remained and it now featured three neat vertical cabin air outlets on the side of the hoop – a classic feature that returns on the latest car. And while opening quarter-light windows had been deleted from the Coupé, they remained on the Targa. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

X6

2018 BMW

X6

49,382 milesAutomaticPetrol4.4L

Cash £24,399
View X6
A4 Avant

2025 Audi

A4 Avant

35,470 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £23,299
View A4 Avant
XC40

2020 Volvo

XC40

55,835 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £21,999
View XC40
EQA

2023 Mercedes

EQA

35,890 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £21,199
View EQA

Inside, the classic five-dial 911 dash was unchanged from the coupé, and the Targa roof meant the tiny but useful rear seats were not lost to a tonneau cover or roof mechanisms. The central roof panel was unbolted with an Allen key and then easily lifted out, while the glass rear screen remained in place.

The recently restored car in our pictures is a 1973 911T. With a 130bhp 2.4-litre engine, it sounds and drives in the classic way that only early 911s do. The engine coughs and splutters into life, but it becomes ever slicker and more tuneful as the revs build. The unassisted steering is heavy at low speed but, once on the move, the directness of the 911’s turn-in, the car’s unique weight balance and agility all begin to shine through.

The driving experience of early 911s was quite unlike that of any of their contemporary rivals. And the beauty of the Targa was that, to a point, it didn’t demand a huge dynamic compromise over the Coupé.

The groundbreaking roll-over bar acted as a chassis stiffener and allowed Porsche’s engineers to avoid the significant weight increase that tends to accompany extra rigidity. With identical lower body panels and floor to the Coupé, the Targa was around 50kg heavier, and while its torsional rigidity wasn’t quite as good as its stablemate’s, it was close enough to ensure that the Targa felt much like other models in the range in everyday driving.

This was especially the case on later cars with the glass rear screen, which were stiffer than early Targas with the zip-up plastic window. 

By striking such a successful balance between handling, style and open-air motoring, the 911 Targa secured its future.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,500 off RRP*
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £6,682 off RRP*Used from £12,300
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,670 off RRP*Used from £14,998
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £13,328
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos, interior

Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy

Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years
News
27 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025