• Year of manufacture 
    1969
  • Mileage 
    61 823 mi / 99 495 km
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Chassis number 
    119310238
  • Engine number 
    *6390797*
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United States

Description

Bring a Trailer auction in progress: Rotisserie restored with incredible attention to detail. Rebuilt engine by Jeff Gamroth of Rothsport Inc. Transmission rebuilt by Retro-Sport. Matching numbers, presented in original colors, and documented by CoA and invoices for work performed.1969 Porsche 911S Targas/n 119310238, engine no. *6390797*Burgundy Red/5808 with Beige Leatherette/9824 InteriorHistoric OverviewThe iconic Porsche 911 Targa combines exceptional design and superb road manners in a wonderfully engaging open sports car. Originally revealed in the fall of 1963 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the 911 was the much-heralded replacement for the highly successful 356. The 911 arrived with more power, more comfort, and a favorable price when compared against comparable cars of the period. Performance and sales were brisk, but as Porsche often did, immediate performance enhancements were put in place. In 1968 the wheelbase was increased 2.25” to improve handling, (cleverly relocating the independently sprung rear wheel mounts without changing costly body tooling), lightening the crankcase with magnesium castings, and delicately flaring the wheel arches to allow room for wider wheels and tires. Agile and capable, the only feature lacking in the early 911 lineup was a convertible model for the American market. Efforts were made to build a convertible 911 but roll-over protection was deemed a critical safety requirement by the Porsche team who worried that the US would exclude fully open cars for road use. Thus, entered the “Targa” design. Allowing open-air motoring while retaining body rigidity and safety, the 911 Targa became a hit with US buyers, arriving in 1967, first with a removable soft back window and later with wrap-around rear glass. In 1969 Porsche introduced the performance packed 911S, which included titanium alloy connecting rods, a re-profiled camshaft, larger valves, better porting, higher compression and Bosch mechanical fuel injection. All this resulted in 30 more horsepower for an impressive 180 horsepower. Chassis upgrades included a rear anti-roll bar, Koni shocks and ventilated disc brakes, which replaced the standard solid rotors. For the S model, special gear ratios were installed in the five-speed transmission including an overdrive in 5th gear. Certainly all 911 series cars were quite powerful and formidable on the road, but when first released, the 911S was the preferred choice of performance enthusiasts and continues to be so today. History of this Porsche 911S TargaThis Porsche 911S Targa is one of just 614 Targa models built in 1969 with the rare factory high performance “S” designation. According to the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, this car was completed at Porsche on January 7, 1969, and assembled at the factory with the following options:Tinted Heated Rear Window Single StageAir ConditionerFront Suspension StrutTinted Windows TargaTinted WindshieldExterior Mirror - RightMichelin TiresAccording to a written statement from the third documented owner Frank Kalaskie, Chase Mills, NY, Kalaskie purchased the car from the second documented owner, Michael R. Morin, on August 23, 1986, Colchester, VT. Morin purchased the car from the parents of the original owner, a helicopter pilot who was shot down while serving in Vietnam. The parents stored the car in their barn until Morin purchased it in 1982. During Morin’s ownership a new torsion bar was installed, the original mechanical fuel injection was replaced with Weber carburetors, and light body work was performed on the floor pan and rocker panels. Kalaskie restored the car over fifteen years, retaining as much of the original parts as possible. Morin also signed an odometer statement in 1986, stating the mileage at that time to be 58,443 miles which were believed to be original and actual. The current owner purchased the car from Kalaskie in 2015, making him the fourth owner of record. As the car already benefited from extensive restoration work performed by Kalaskie including a bare metal multiple coat lacquer base and clearcoat paint, new brakes, and other mechanical refurbishment to a very original example, the condition was both complete and very well documented at the time of his purchase. Documents supporting the condition and work performed on the car at that time are included. In 2019 and 2020, the current owner embarked on a high-level restoration performed to impeccable standards. This also included reuniting this Porsche with the original 911S numbers matching engine, correct type mechanical fuel-injection, and optional air conditioning as ordered when new. Restoration receipts are extensive and detailed including itemized interior work from Autobahn Interiors specifying correct new front and rear seat covers, new door panels, new dash and knee pad material with basket weave dash inserts, new correct German Harragarn carpet, restored door pockets, correct German vinyl for roll bar and door tops, new door threshold trim, and detailed trim features throughout the interior. Porsche experts at Rothsport, Inc. performed the engine and transmission rebuild, assembly, and installation tending to all details using correct parts and factory finishes in all areas. The engine rebuild included new main bearings, IMS bearings, correct engine oil thermostat, camshaft regrind, 81mm CP custom pistons, rings, pins, locks, under-crown milling, skirt coating, MFI stacks for refinishing along with a host of detailed MFI parts, a set of correct heat exchangers, a correct 65-73 muffler and exhaust tip, and a correct 911S engine shroud, to name just a few of the many components sourced during the restoration and mechanical work performed on this car. In all, the engine rebuild, clutch and transmission work, MFI rebuild, Griffiths AC system purchase and installation, the engine and transmission installation and plumbing, new interior, and hours of careful attention to detail including recalibrating and reinstalling the injection pump twice to be certain of smooth operation on the dyno before reinstallation, totaled more than $50,000.00. Today, this rare 911S Targa is simply stunning in every respect, Excellent fit and finish is evident in the body panels, consistent with factory dimensions and construction, offering crisp door closures, excellent hood fit, and proper part lines. The Targa roof fits correctly to the header and Targa bar with very fine roof material finish both inside and outside, consistent with original cosmetics and construction. The chrome, lights, lenses, and glass are in excellent condition showing virtually no imperfections to the various plated parts, trim, or rubber details. The exterior window trim and silver Targa bar are in particularly fine condition. The correct style Fuchs 15” wheels are shod with contemporary Michelin 185/70 VR15 radial tires. The original Fuchs recessed black sections are correctly finished with satin black including the proper black lug nuts. The interior is exceptional throughout. Every feature has been treated to the very best in accurate materials with high quality detailing and top-level workmanship. The beautifully finished instrument panel houses the original gauges, correct original switches, and correct controls for the rare air conditioning unit and factory air conditioning vents. Every aspect from the rare Targa roof to the Porsche steering wheel deliver superlative finishes worthy of this truly beautifully restored and rare Porsche 911S Targa. The engine compartment has been authentically finished with correct features, proper coatings, and factory hardware. Every aspect of the Porsche mechanical fuel injection, optional air conditioning, and correct air induction system all work in perfect harmony with the matching numbers engine and 5-speed transmission. The front storage compartment is very tidy and features a correct factory Fuchs spare tire and proper finishes. The inner body panels appear to retain the factory original construction with correct seam sealing and factory weld marks typical of original Porsches. The undercarriage is clean and solid, displaying an exceptionally well detailed and properly finished floor pan with correct exhaust and clean engine components prepared when the engine was restored and rebuilt. The floor pan and rocker panels appear original with no evidence of structural compromise or corrosion in any area. The car operates as one might expect from a very well-preserved original that has been comprehensively restored and thoroughly prepared by Porsche experts. The chassis is responsive, brakes are great, and the overall operational integrity is consistent with the visual presentation. This 911S Targa is offered with selected purchase records, written notations from previous owners, a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, and extensive invoices documenting the recent comprehensive interior refurbishment, engine rebuild and mechanical restoration.
Walkaround video: https://youtu.be/2ybMn9K3pJQ
Driving video: https://youtu.be/pGJVE8MariQ