Porsche 964 Targa: You Know You Want To

Or, perhaps more accurately, you hadn't realised you wanted to... Now could be the time though

The greatest gift the 991 Targa may bestow upon the original 1965 car that inspired it is an upswell of interest in equivalent 911s of all generations. PH has been out and about in the new car this week and from Sunday Service to the daily commute the approval rating would appear to be through the (retractable) roof. And it would seem this is having a knock-on effect on the previously unloved (at least by 911 snobs) older examples too.

Coupe? You're looking at £40K for this

The 993, 996 and 997 versions effectively just had very big sunroofs so to go back to the ‘roll hoop’ style inspired by the original car it’s 964 or older. And two cars for sale at Porsche specialists RPM Technik offer some insight into the Targa awakening and why now might be the time to act if you thought a removable roof panel was the route to a bargain 964.

A 1990 Guards Red Carrera 2 coupe in original condition is up for just shy of £40K, RPM’s Darren Anderson advising that mid to low 30s is now absolute entry level for such cars. So £26,995 for a recently overhauled 1993 Carrera 4 Targa from the same outfit appears on paper like a bit of a bargain, especially if you’re looking for a 964 for occasional road use rather than an RS-chasing coupe wannabe. Another Guards Red car, a 1990 Carrera 2 Targa with Phil Raby Porsche at £20,995, also suggests that going for a Targa could remain the affordable route to 964 ownership just as interest in the new car starts pushing values up.

Superficially similar Targa just sold for £27K

“There is an interest in Targas that wasn’t there 12 months ago,” says Darren. “That circa £5K difference between coupes and Targas was probably about the same when they were 20 grand and it’s relatively closer now but with the renewed interest there is still some movement to be had in Targas.” Chatting with Autofarm off the back of our loan with its backdated 911 SC reveals a similar increase in interest in the 60s and 70s Targas too, these cars now on the radar of those priced out of equivalent coupes and reassured by the validation of the 991’s styling cues.

Back to 964s Darren advises caution though, saying the price differential between two comparable examples would be a relatively modest saving of around five to six grand for the Targa over an equivalent coupe. He describes valuing 964s as a tricky business, given the variables in condition and history and fact that a superficially attractive car could require a five-figure sum to bring it up to standard. His advice? Get an inspection and go through the history with a fine tooth comb.

Referencing original Targa a win-win for Porsche

If nothing else the new Targa has helped make older ones an acceptable choice for those who might otherwise have held out for a coupe. And means now could be the time if your interest has been awakened.

PORSCHE 911 TARGA (964)
Price: Roughly five grand less than an equivalent coupe
Why you should: Socially acceptable off the back of the 991 and still usefully cheaper than coupe equivalents; prices on the up
Why you shouldn’t: If you were after a real bargain you’ve probably already missed the boat

Lead photo: Roo Fowler

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