The Targa-style roof opening became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, when fears arose that the Department of Transportation (DOT) in the United States would ban convertibles, due to concerns over the safety of occupants when a car overturns.

Buyer or Seller Questions? Let’s Talk! 310-975-0272

Consequently, manufacturers adopted Targa tops – ‘T-tops’, as they were often known, which essentially meant a cut-out roof with an added rollover bar. Porsche helped popularize this body style, and took out a trademark for the ‘Targa’ name: the term was taken from the Targa Florio, the Sicilian road race in which Porsche had been notably successful.

The name ‘Targa’, which interestingly means ‘number plate’ in Italian, was coined by Porsche’s Head of Sales Harald Wagner when he suggested keeping the first half of the ‘Targa Florio’ phrase. However, it was the 1957 limited-production Fiat 1200 ‘Wonderful’ that was the first known post-war use of such a removable roof panel system.

And Britain’s Triumph TR4 from 1961 featured a similar system, defined by Triumph as a surrey top. The SAAB Catherina employed something similar.

But, as I said, it was Porsche who had legally registered the Targa name. The term was first used on the 1966 Porsche 911 Targa.

And so at Beverly Hills Car Club I presently have a 1970 Porsche 911T Targa featured with a matching numbers engine. The car is finished in a Bahia Red exterior color, a vibrant hue that not only highlights the car’s sleek lines but also adds to its allure, making it a standout piece in any collection. This 911T does indeed come with a removable Targa top, offering an open-air experience. (note: this car has gone ‘Sale Pending’ just ahead of posting!)

It is worth noting that this 911T was rolled out of the factory in its highly desirable exterior color Irish Green (213).

This 1970 Porsche 911T Targa comes equipped with an upgraded 5-speed manual transmission, Flat 6 Cylinder 2.2-liter engine, Zenith dual-carburetors, four-wheel disc brakes, single exhaust outlet, VDO instrumentation, Targa bar, removable Targa top, wraparound rear glass window, chrome trim, 4-spoke steering wheel, 15-inch steel wheels, Porsche hubcaps, and a full-size spare tire fitted in the front trunk. Convenience features include front bucket seats, glove compartment, driver-side mirror, vent windows, analog clock, Panasonic radio, and a fender-mounted antenna.

This particular example comes with a service booklet that includes stamps and receipt copies, providing a documented history of maintenance and care. This iconic vehicle embodies the perfect blend of timeless design, exhilarating performance, and meticulous craftsmanship that Porsche is renowned for. Do not miss your chance to own a piece of automotive history with this highly collectible 911T Targa that is mechanically sound.

The replacement for the Porsche 356, the 911 was first introduced to the world as ‘Porsche 901’, at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 12 September 1963. However, Peugeot protested because it had exclusive rights in France to car names formed by three numbers with a zero in the middle. Instead of selling the new model with a different name in France, Porsche changed the model name to ‘911’ for all markets, but the engine designation and parts number prefix remained ‘901’.

The newly developed 911 had 2+2 seating, though – like the 356 – the rear was very small. The styling was by Ferdinand ‘Butzi’ Porsche, son of Ferdinand ‘Ferry’ Porsche. Erwin Komenda, the leader of the Porsche car body construction department, was responsible for the engineering aspects of the new chassis/body, incorporating the new engine, transmission, steering, and suspension into the monocoque.

From 1970 onwards – in other words, involving our Targa that we have for sale – the Porsche 911 took a distinct upwards leap. Revealed in March 1969 for the first time for factory purposes as the 917, this was the time that Porsche entered the big league. The new larger and more potent 2.2-liter engines gave a rush of revs and power, and a decent improvement in performance, with a glorious sound on hard acceleration.

2,545 Targas were built in 1970, of a total 13,162 Porsche 911s. The Targa roof section had been improved. Revisions affected the way the roof sealed to the windshield, side windows, and rollover hoop. The most noticeable external change for the 1970 model year was new door handles with the opening trigger behind the handle. The keyhole was given a hinged cover, which reduced the possibility of the lock freezing up.

But rather than icing up, the Porsche 911 Targa was becoming one of the hottest of cool vehicles. Do you recall the classic motor-racing film Le Mans? And its star Steve McQueen nervously looking at a repaired crash barrier at the film’s start?

McQueen, the hippest of all actors, is leaning on a gorgeous silver car.

What make? Why, it is a silver 911, of course.

What else would you expect an icon of his times like Steve McQueen to be driving?

-Alex Manos, Owner