1988 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa

3,164cc SOHC Flat 6-Cylinder Engine
Bosch Fuel Injection
Est. 255bhp at 6,200rpm
5-Speed Manual Transaxle
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Disc Brakes

*Tasteful performance-upgrades by German specialist shops
*Striking and appropriate cosmetic appearance inside and out
*Mechanical restoration including engine rebuild in 2019
*Comprehensive history file with restoration invoices totaling over 50,000 Euros

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THE PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 3.2

Two years after the original Coupe's introduction in 1964, a convertible 911 - the 'Targa', named in honor of Porsche's numerous victories in the Sicilian classic - became available. Expected US safety legislation had prompted an ingenious approach to the first soft-top 911, the Targa sporting a hefty roll-over bar to protect the occupants in the event of an inversion, together with removable roof and rear hood sections, which were stowable in the boot. An enormous success for the Stuttgart firm, the much loved and instantly recognizable Targa finally bowed out at the end of the 1990s, when the Cabriolet became the sole open-topped 911 with the introduction of the Type 996 range for 1999.

Targa development proceeded in line with that of its closed Coupe cousin, the most notable advances immediately prior to the manufacture of this 1988 model having included the introduction of the 3.2-liter engine for 1984. Although it remained an air-cooled 'flat six', the '3.2' was 80% new and incorporated an effective cam chain tensioner and associated lubrication system that at last addressed a perennial 911 shortcoming. With 231bhp on tap, the new 'boxer' motor endowed the Carrera with a level of performance approaching that of the original 911 Turbo of 1974, the bald statistics being a 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 152mph.


THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

This stunningly beautiful Porsche 911 Targa offers the perfect blend of originality and tasteful cosmetic and mechanical custom features. The car was completed at the Zuffenhausen-based Porsche factory during the fall of 1987 and finished assembly on October 14th, 1987. The new Porsche was completed as a 1988 model-year 3.2 Carrera Targa, destined for the US market, heavily optioned and finished in a rare Cassis Red Metallic over a Burgundy partial leather interior. The comprehensive history file accompanying the car documents the car very well, and photos taken before the restoration reveals that the Targa was kept in quite original condition, still appearing in the Cassis Red Metallic exterior color, while clocking just over 40,000 miles from new.

In 2019, the current owner, a Los Angeles based enthusiast, embarked on giving the classic 911 Targa a bit more personality, and set out to have the car tastefully customized by marque experts. The work was carried out by craftsmen in Germany, where Sportwagen Rückert located in Düsseldorf carried out bodywork modifications, including widening the original steel fenders for a classic 'Turbo-look, and rebuilt the original, matching numbers engine to performance specifications. Auto Clees of Wulfrath carried out further bodywork, and painted the Porsche from bare metal in a stunning Dark Grey Metallic color. Clees is well-known for their expertise in Porsche restoration. Autosattlerei Adis of Cologne retrimmed the interior in full, and added further subtle upgrades to the cabin, carrying on the theme of the car. ASK located near Wuppertal added modern electric updates to the interior, including adding a navigation system and stereo system with USB connection. More than 50,000 euros was spent on the refurbishments of this 911 Targa, and a close inspection quickly reveals the high quality of the work performed.

Today this 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa presents extremely well, and the customizations around the car suits it tremendously well, without losing the original DNA of the classic Porsche 911. The wide-body exterior is finished in the striking Dark Grey metallic color, which is neatly contrasted by the cognac-colored interior. The oatmeal-colored German square-weave carpets match the interior very well, and the sports-type steering wheel has been leather wrapped to match. Customized color-coded bumpers are fitted, and period-appropriate BBS RS-Type 3-piece wheels shod on Pirelli P7 Corsa tires gives the car an aggressive stance. The exterior trim is finished in black, and the Targa bar is color-coded to the interior.

Just 932 miles are recorded on the odometer at the time of cataloging, which represents the miles driven post restoration. A large history file is accompanying the sale of the car, which includes old invoices and documentation dating back decades ago, receipts and invoices of the work performed by the German specialist shops, photos before and during the restoration, the Porsche-issued Certificate of Authenticity, tool kit and space-saver spare wheel. This exciting and very fast Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa offers the perfect blend of classic and contemporary styling and offers the next owner a very usable 'Youngtimer' sports car, perfect for high-speed rallies such as the Ramshorn 1000.