LOT 209 •
1969 Porsche 911 E Targa ‘Soft Window’ Coupe Chassis no. 119210114
Estimate: US$40,000 - US$50,000
Lot 209•
1969 Porsche 911 E Targa ‘Soft Window’ Coupe Chassis no. 119210114
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1969 Porsche 911 E Targa ‘Soft Window’ Coupe
Chassis no. 119210114
Chassis no. 119210114
There is an unmistakable growl to a 911 motor, it’s a sound that when in earshot on a sidewalk immediately raises a smile of empathy for the fortunate driver who happens to be behind the wheel of one of these iconic automobiles, and that smile very quickly becomes a grin whenever the opportunity occurs for the fortunate one to be you, as it did in early spring time when the writer test drove this example. On the road the performance is effortless, and the infectious wish to hear the motor’s throaty tones quickly finds you beyond the preferred legal limits. Solid, dependable, yet nimble and fun to drive a 911 can be heartily recommended to anyone who has never owned one, and this unusual late 60s soft window Targa coupe would be a great way to experience that legend. Better still it incorporates one of the simplest and most practical ways that was ever designed for a car to be converted from closed to open, with the Targa roof and fold down rear window.
Confirmed as an early, soft window 911E Targa on its Kardex report, it was built on 10/11/68 and delivered in the livery it wears to today. For more than 30 years it has resided in New York state and is accompanied by a large file of history and documentation seemingly supporting its modest mileage of late 30,000s. In addition to the Kardex, there are notebooks and service records denoting the Targa as being owned by Steve McNeil of Mt. Sinai in July 1977, and notes that it subsequently passed to Dr. Howard Koppelman of Patchogue, NY the following year, who kept it for nearly 2 decades.
In Dr. Koppelman’s ownership he had the car repainted once, and converted it to a glass rear panel Targa, though this has recently been restored to its original soft window configuration. Although not confirmed, but probably also it was at this time that its original Sportomatic transmission, was replaced by the less troublesome standard 5 speed ‘box. Back in 1996 the former owner purchased the car.
Today, the Porsche presents as a good, straight example of the model, its older repaint has light crazing in places, but it is structurally solid throughout, and its interior shows modest age for a 40 year old car. A perfect entry level classic, combining all the right aspects of the 911, with the option of open topped motoring when one so wishes and even an element of collectability with the rare ‘soft window’ option.
Confirmed as an early, soft window 911E Targa on its Kardex report, it was built on 10/11/68 and delivered in the livery it wears to today. For more than 30 years it has resided in New York state and is accompanied by a large file of history and documentation seemingly supporting its modest mileage of late 30,000s. In addition to the Kardex, there are notebooks and service records denoting the Targa as being owned by Steve McNeil of Mt. Sinai in July 1977, and notes that it subsequently passed to Dr. Howard Koppelman of Patchogue, NY the following year, who kept it for nearly 2 decades.
In Dr. Koppelman’s ownership he had the car repainted once, and converted it to a glass rear panel Targa, though this has recently been restored to its original soft window configuration. Although not confirmed, but probably also it was at this time that its original Sportomatic transmission, was replaced by the less troublesome standard 5 speed ‘box. Back in 1996 the former owner purchased the car.
Today, the Porsche presents as a good, straight example of the model, its older repaint has light crazing in places, but it is structurally solid throughout, and its interior shows modest age for a 40 year old car. A perfect entry level classic, combining all the right aspects of the 911, with the option of open topped motoring when one so wishes and even an element of collectability with the rare ‘soft window’ option.
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