Beginning with its 1969 models, Porsche made several important changes to the popular 911 and 912, the most significant being stretching their wheelbase rearward to 89.4 inches—a gain of about 2.4 inches. The rear trailing arms were extended a like amount, greatly improving stability and balance and offering a bit more interior space. The lineup consisted of the base 911 T with 110 carbureted horsepower and the top-of-the-line, 170-horsepower fuel-injected 911 S; sandwiched between those was the 911 E, offered with nearly all the S’s trimmings but with a milder, 140-horsepower engine, also with Bosch MFI. The E’s suspension was also hybridized with softer Boge hydropneumatic struts and smaller, 14-inch wheels and tires.

Offered here is a lovely US-spec 911 E “Soft-Window” Targa in the elegant and uncommon color of Ossi Blue (Code 6803) with a Beige leatherette interior and a black removable roof panel which, combined with the zip-out plastic rear window, provided a near-full convertible driving experience. During the 1969 production run, the “soft-window” design was replaced with a large, permanent curved glass backlight with electric defogging, making later soft-windows extremely rare. Of the 858 911 E Targas built for the 1969 model year, a small handful were known to have been equipped with this option. A registry of documented soft-window long-wheelbase 911s is maintained by enthusiasts within the Early 911 Forum, with fewer than 30 such cars known.

This example was optioned with a tonneau, tinted windshield and door glass, and Michelin radial tires, as well as an uncommon back seat. It was distributed new through Porsche Car Southeast, Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, a distributorship directly linked with the famous Brumos concern. While little is known of its early life, accompanying documents indicate it was re-registered in Florida after prior ownership in Georgia in the late 1970s.

In 2017 it was sold to an enthusiast in the Czech Republic, where it was treated to a comprehensive, three-year bare-metal restoration that was completed in 2022; the car was then returned to the United States. Note that this example is fitted with four authentic, period-correct 15-inch Fuchs wheels, and is accompanied by one date-matched 14-inch Fuchs wheel (as originally installed on the 911 E).

A large selection of photographs documented the restoration process, which included replacement of the troublesome Boge suspension with Koni shocks and struts—a very common practice in the “E” community—along with new 15-inch Michelin XWX radials. The numbers-matching engine was overhauled and modern oil-fed timing chain tensioners installed. The numbers-matching five-speed, fully synchronized transaxle and four-wheel disc brakes were also rebuilt, as were the instruments, and virtually every component was refinished or replaced with new. The interior was fully renovated with new Beige leatherette, complimented by a black dash pad, new charcoal carpeting, and a new top and rear window. The brushed-aluminum Targa “basket-handle” rollover hoop with its three vertical air vents has been carefully burnished. There is a period-correct Blaupunkt AM/FM radio. The taillight lenses are of the European red-and-amber design. At time of cataloguing, the odometer, which was reset during the restoration displayed just over 100 miles, contributing to the car’s delightful, freshly finished appearance today.

This 911 E received a major service from Porsche North Scottsdale, Arizona in May 2024, and it is accompanied by a Porsche Technical Certificate confirming he presence of its numbers-matching engine and gearbox, as well as a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and Kardex copy. Benefitting from the improved long-wheelbase chassis and restored its very attractive factory colors, this 1969 911 E “Soft-Window” Targa is a rare offering, exquisitely presented.