In 1966, Porsche launched series production of the world's first "safety cabriolet," dubbed the Targa — a moniker meaning "shield" in Italian that perfectly suited the new body concept, while also referencing the Targa Florio, the grueling race on the island of Sicily where Porsche had already achieved major successes during the 1950s and 1960s.
The first production model featuring a turbocharged flat-six engine — the 930 Turbo — followed in 1974. However, it was not until the 1987 model year that 911 enthusiasts were finally offered a combination of the two "TTs": the first 911 Targa Turbo. In "G-Series" design including the Coupé's large "tea-tray" spoiler, it was powered by a 300 hp, 3.3-liter turbo engine that delivered a robust 430 Nm of torque to the rear axle at 4,000 rpm, fueled by a mechanical Bosch K-Jetronic system. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h took 5.4 seconds, and with a top speed of 260 km/h, maximum draft was guaranteed.
Up to the 1989 model year, Porsche produced only 297 units of the 911 Targa Turbo, making them exceptionally rare collector's items today — especially when compared to the 1,642 Cabriolets built during the same period.
This particular example is one of them and has had only four previous owners to date. They all came from the Heilbronn/Stuttgart area in the German state of Baden-Württemberg—including the delivering Porsche dealer, who was the first owner in March 1988. Since 1995, this beautiful Targa Turbo has remained within the same circle of family and acquaintances, where it was meticulously serviced and has covered just under 84,000 kilometers or 52,200 miles to date.
This model, finished in Grand Prix White, impresses with its unrestored condition — featuring almost entirely original paintwork, save for a small area on the rear right quarter panel — as well as a continuous ownership and service history. The black interior with pinstriping is also in excellent visual condition, showing only signs of wear consistent with its age.
Now, this Targa Turbo — a car that makes every Porsche collector's heart beat faster — is available for sale at SML CarGroup, complete with its original owner's portfolio, service booklet, and numerous other documents. The lucky new owner will acquire far more than just another 911, but the first-ever fusion of Porsche's two magical "T"s: Targa and Turbo.
