RE: Is A 'Proper' Targa To Come To The 911?
Thursday 23rd June 2011
It seems as if the new-generation of 911 is attracting rumours like flies round a discarded burger, but the latest one is rather interesting: according to German car mag Autobild, the old-style 'hooped' Targa body is to make a return on the forthcoming 911.
Next 911 To Feature 'Old School' Targa?
Traditional-style Targa roof could make a comeback for the '991' 911
The classic Targa roof disappeared when the 964 was replaced by the 993 series, with subsequent Targa models getting instead a complex sliding glass roof.
We don't know just how likely this return to a traditional-style roof is, but it's certainly an intriguing possibility, and the original Targas were a deeply popular 911 variant.
Discussion
That Ruf roadster is a mess 
That manufacturer can never seem to get alloy or spoiler design right; they just try to be different for the sake of it.
I was always a fan of the Porsche targa roof, even the one on the 993. I know Porsche folk on the whole give them a hard time, but they seem to hold their value just as well as their convertible counterparts.
That manufacturer can never seem to get alloy or spoiler design right; they just try to be different for the sake of it.
I was always a fan of the Porsche targa roof, even the one on the 993. I know Porsche folk on the whole give them a hard time, but they seem to hold their value just as well as their convertible counterparts.
I know the Targa arrangement was written off by those interested in a "real driver's car", but I loved my 1973 model to bits. It was a very natty design with the roof panels fitting very snuggly in the front compartment and it looked a lot better than the early convertibles with their cheap looking, pram-like roof. And pushing it hard down B lanes I always thought the overall weight distribution was more of an issue than any loss of structural rigidity..
Of course, the roof leaked. The handles that unlocked the roof had an annoying habit of snapping. And the panels were vulnerable to a knife from the local lobotomised. But I would still have one now if the trials of daily driving and being parked on the street hadn't left a hole the size of a football in the floor.
Of course, the roof leaked. The handles that unlocked the roof had an annoying habit of snapping. And the panels were vulnerable to a knife from the local lobotomised. But I would still have one now if the trials of daily driving and being parked on the street hadn't left a hole the size of a football in the floor.
Schnellmann said:
I'll reserve judgement until I've seen the new Targa (if it actually exists) but pre-993 Targas certainly don't do it for me as they spoiled the shape of the 911.
I'm not a fan of early Targa's, but I think the current shape of the 911 is bloated enough to sufficiently accept the Targa arrangement without drawing too much attention. A wrap around rear screen along with it wouldn't look disjointed either.daveco said:
That manufacturer can never seem to get alloy or spoiler design right; they just try to be different for the sake of it.
I was always a fan of the Porsche targa roof, even the one on the 993. I know Porsche folk on the whole give them a hard time, but they seem to hold their value just as well as their convertible counterparts.
Hmm, I've never heard anyone with such a negative view about RUF wheels. They sell for a fortune, and are generally revered. I was always a fan of the Porsche targa roof, even the one on the 993. I know Porsche folk on the whole give them a hard time, but they seem to hold their value just as well as their convertible counterparts.
Can't agree with targas holding their value as well either. You just have to look at 930 Turbo prices versus 930 Turbo Targa prices to see a huge disparity.
I think a new, proper targa is a great idea. To have called the 993 version a targa, was just cashing in on the history of the name.
I love the targa concept. The rigidity of a fixed roof and then when you want, pop the top off and open them to the elements. Admittedly older targa implementations had there issues, ie leaky roofs, hard to fit etc but their is no reason why a modern interpretation can't fix all of this.
Most convertibles while looking great with the top down often look quite awkward with the top up, metal folding roofs add a lot of weight and complexity so a targa seems to be the perfect compromise. Yes you have to get out and put the roof in the boot but a modern version could be engineered to come off and be stowed very quickly. I think the cars like the NSX and the Supra looked best in targa form and we can't forget the Carrera GT, the ultimate targa in my view.
I think even the new Boxster Spyder would have worked 10 times better as a targa rather than that silly tent affair it has now. Would have given it even more of the "mini Carrera GT" look. Here's hoping Porsche do it and do it well. I'd love to see a resurgence of the targa top.
Most convertibles while looking great with the top down often look quite awkward with the top up, metal folding roofs add a lot of weight and complexity so a targa seems to be the perfect compromise. Yes you have to get out and put the roof in the boot but a modern version could be engineered to come off and be stowed very quickly. I think the cars like the NSX and the Supra looked best in targa form and we can't forget the Carrera GT, the ultimate targa in my view.
I think even the new Boxster Spyder would have worked 10 times better as a targa rather than that silly tent affair it has now. Would have given it even more of the "mini Carrera GT" look. Here's hoping Porsche do it and do it well. I'd love to see a resurgence of the targa top.
JumpinJack said:
What actually is a Targa?? I'm confused 
Is it just a removable roof as opposed to a cab.?
Is the Carrera GT a Targa?
Yes as were some of the older Ferrari's like the 348 and 308. It's basically a removable middle section of the roof which has been muddied somewhat by certain manufacturers including Porsche calling cars which aren't really a targa, a targa. For instance the current Porsche "Targa" isn't anything of the sort, it's just a 911 with a glass roof. Is it just a removable roof as opposed to a cab.?Is the Carrera GT a Targa?
And yes the Carrera GT is a proper Targa too.
I like the old targas, makes a nice car for the people who dont want the ultimate sports car or the noise, security and hair issues of a convertible.
As I think Porsche invented or atleast brought the Targa name to light for this style I guess they can reinvent the concept as many times as they like and in as many different forms as they like.
Atleast a new 'proper' targa would bring something more to the range than wasting time making some of the pointless derivatives they have tried recently.
As I think Porsche invented or atleast brought the Targa name to light for this style I guess they can reinvent the concept as many times as they like and in as many different forms as they like.
Atleast a new 'proper' targa would bring something more to the range than wasting time making some of the pointless derivatives they have tried recently.
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