First appearing in 1967, Porsche’s new Targa filled a void in its model lineup that had existed since the 356C Cabriolet went out of production in 1965: a convertible. The new “Targa”—meaning “Shield,” and named for the famous Targa Florio race in Sicily—was an unusual configuration, being a drop-top with a built-in basket-handle rollover bar with a brushed-aluminum skin that helped strengthen the body shell. There were two separate roof sections that owners could remove and store aboard so as to enjoy an open-air driving experience. Porsche would market the new model as “The world’s first safety convertible.”

On the earliest versions of the Targa, the center section was fabric stretched over a folding frame, and the rear was a zip-out panel incorporating a clear plastic window. These became known as “Soft-Window” Targas. Eventually, a large, heated, fixed glass rear window replaced the zip-out panel. By 1970, Targas made up a third of 911 sales.

1968 brought other important changes to all new cars sold in the United States. Federal safety requirements now mandated front and rear side marker reflectors, new exterior door handles, black-painted windshield wiper arms that now parked on the left side, white rather than green numerals on the dashboard instruments, wider wheels, dual-circuit braking, and under the engine lid, new emissions equipment including an air-pump for exhaust gas recirculation.

This nice example, complete with matching-numbers engine and gearbox, is the 10th of 268 Soft-Window Targas built for the United States market in 1968. According to a copy of its factory Kardex on file, it was completed on 17 August 1967 and shipped to Porsche Cars Pacific in the Bay Area, then sold to a Mr. Paul Galvez of San Francisco. A base 130-brake horsepower 911 with a five-speed manual transmission, it is finished in 6803 Ossi Blue over black leatherette with Houndstooth seating inserts. The floors are covered in charcoal carpeting. The handsome interior is highlighted by a brushed-aluminum strip across the dashboard and a stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Options included headrests on both seats, padded bumper guards, and chromed ventilated wheels with hubcaps.

This car’s early history post-delivery is unknown, but is has been resprayed in its original color. At the time of cataloguing, its odometer displayed 1124 miles, indicating it had been reset after restoration; its total mileage is unknown. An enticing early example, this Soft-Window Targa is accompanied by a correct spare tire and wheel, a jack, and original tool set.