Porsche unveiled the novel 911 Targa at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 1965, sparking a trend that continues to this day. Neither a coupé nor a convertible but something in between, it was conceived in response to increased safety requirements for open-top cars in the United States. A fixed rollbar provided added structural rigidity, while a removable roof panel and fold-down plastic rear window still offered the thrill of open-air enjoyment.

With patent pending, Porsche officially added the 911 Targa to the lineup in the autumn of 1966 as a 1967 model, its name inspired by the Targa Florio road race in Italy. In the summer of 1967, a fixed glass rear window with a heating element became an option, and was made standard equipment the following year—a configuration that persisted largely unchanged until 1993.

This Porsche 911 E Targa was sold new in Munich, Germany on 3 October 1969. As an “E” model, it was equipped from the factory with a fuel-injected version of Porsche’s 2.2-litre flat-six engine and sat between the carburettor-fed 911 T and fuel-injected 911 S in terms of features and performance. It is presented in silver over a black interior and rides on Fuchs wheels.

The car was delivered new to a US Navy doctor based in Germany, who commissioned the factory to install a new engine in 1973. The following year, the Porsche followed its first owner back to the United States and in 1976, it was bought by William Blakely, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona. Blakely would then sell the 911 E Targa in 1980 to Robert Deeney, also of Phoenix, who would retain the car until 1986, eventually selling it to another Phoenix local, Peter Leander. Mr. Leander would own the car until around 1989, after which it would pass to Phillip Noland of Tempe, Arizona. Like its previous owners, Noland had the 911 E Targa routinely serviced both mechanically and cosmetically at a Porsche specialist, retaining a great number of service invoices. In 1997, Noland would commission Stuttgart Southwest of Tempe, Arizona to strip the paint and respray the car, as well as refurbish the interior.

By January of 2005, the car was under the ownership of Tom Swanson in Costa Mesa, California, who continued its fastidious care. This 911 E Targa then returned to Europe to join The Iseli Collection in 2010, at which point further maintenance was commissioned, including the refurbishment of interior fitments and installation of an aftermarket Pioneer AM/FM stereo CD player below the dash. In 2017, the consigning owner installed a correct-type 911/01 engine, numbered 6202303. Prior to installation, the engine was rebuilt (verified by photos on file), and is said to have covered just 1,000 kilometres since.

Beautifully presented, having clearly benefitted from years of conscientious ownership, this well-loved 911 E Targa awaits its next caretaker and is an excellent candidate for participating in Porsche club events.