For 1967, Porsche offered a higher performing variant of the original, shortwheelbase 911. The 911 S (for “Super”) featured a 2.0-liter, 160 hp engine, and other advancements, including an upgraded suspension, ventilated disc brakes, and Fuchs five-spoke alloy wheels. Another addition was the availability of an open-topped 911. Named for the celebrated Sicilian road race, the Targa incorporated a stainless steel roll bar, removable roof panel, and foldaway plastic rear window in the earliest examples.

One of 483 believed built for the 1967 model year, this 911 S Soft-Window Targa was completed on May 8, 1967, and finished in Bahama Yellow over a black leatherette interior. Per its Porsche Certificate of Authenticity, it left the factory equipped with a Webasto gas heater, antenna, loudspeaker, seat belts, Dunlop radial tires, tinted windshield and side glass. A Blaupunkt AM/FM radio was later installed, most likely by the selling dealer. While little is known about the car’s earliest history, it is understood to have passed through several ownerships before being acquired around 2008 by Porsche 911 enthusiast and collector Eade Hopkinson of Encinitas, California. Mr. Hopkinson would set about to restore the car with the aim of retaining as much originality as possible.

Completed circa 2009, the car was stripped to bare metal by Best of Show Coachworks of Escondido, California, and repainted in its original shade of Bahama Yellow. The windshield, exterior moldings, seals, and gaskets were replaced, however, components including the stainless steel roof bar, badges, and deck lid grille were left untouched. The matching-numbers engine and transaxle were completely rebuilt with the motor receiving new valves, honed cylinders, 930 chain tensioners, and SSI stainless steel heat exchangers, while the five-speed transaxle was reassembled with new factory gears to shorten 3rd, 4th, and 5th and improve acceleration. The chassis was refreshed with correctly powder-coated parts, rebuilt calipers, and new shocks, but the well-preserved interior was left largely intact to reflect the car’s history.

The Targa was subsequently sold to Dr. Steve Langer of Milton, New Jersey, in 2010, who entrusted renowned Paterek Brothers of Chatham, New Jersey, to further improve the car’s operation and appearance with receipts totaling a considerable $65,000 on file. Acquired into present collector ownership in 2013, this Targa has been tended to by specialist Rare Drive Inc. of East Kingston, New Hampshire, with scant additional mileage accrued since purchase.

The 1967 Soft-Window Targa models are collectible as they are from the first generation of 911 Targa design. Supplied with its books, tool kit, jack, spare, and a large binder of receipts and literature, the car on offer is a very well-restored and well-kept example of Porsche’s uncommon Soft-Window Targa model in high-performance “S” trim.