Test Driving the Porsche 911 Targa

Once I understood the controls, the owner let me take the wheel.

Since it was a special occasion, we decided to drive with the roof off. Naturally, the Targa of this era doesn’t have the fully automatic roof operation like today’s 911. The roof is manually removed and folds to fit neatly in the front trunk.

I put it into first gear and started moving. It’s a strange feeling to operate an H-pattern shifter without a clutch pedal. When you press the accelerator, the car moves off very smoothly.

The Sportomatic works by having a sensor on the shift knob that disengages the clutch when you touch the shifter, allowing you to shift gears. So, if you hold the shift knob continuously, it’s best to be careful.

Upshifts are smoother if you ease off the accelerator slightly while shifting. This car only has three gears, so first gear is for starting, most driving is done in second, and third acts like an overdrive.

If you shift too early from first to second, acceleration feels somewhat sluggish, but once the engine revs up in second gear, it runs very well. With 164 PS in this small body, it’s more than enough, and the distinctive “shaan” sound of the Porsche air-cooled engine is very satisfying as the revs rise.

Compared to my 964’s 3.6L engine, the 2.7L feels very nimble.

Downshifting from third to second doesn’t require special rev-matching; just do it normally and there’s no odd shift shock.

The cornering response, behavior, and feedback are pure 911, with the front suspension compressing and the front loading shifting as the car eagerly turns, bringing a smile to my face. Every time I drive a 911, I’m reminded that no matter the era, a 911 is always a 911. Honestly, when driving winding roads, I sometimes wish for an extra gear, but the Targa isn’t really suited for aggressive driving.

Its wide gear ratios are perfect for elegant cruising.

By the way, wind buffeting wasn’t much of an issue at a relaxed pace on mountain roads, but the owner said that at high speeds, the wind buffeting is quite strong, so it’s better not to drive with the roof off on highways.

My 964, the Targa, and in the back, a genuine ’73 Carrera RS

Back in the parking lot, I put the gear into P. It’s refreshing to see a P gear on an H-pattern shifter.

Getting out and looking at the car again, it’s a very stylish and cool car. There aren’t many cars that look this good even when parked on the street.

The silver wheel arch moldings are a characteristic of the ’76 model

This car offers not only the joy of driving but also the pleasure of admiring it when you step away. It’s a car that delights you twice over.

Thank you very much to the owner for letting us drive this precious 911S Targa!