The 1972 and '73 "long-hood" 911s came in three flavors: T, the most basic entry-level model, the mid-range E, and the fastest (and most expensive) S. These variants came in coupe and Targa form, a term Porsche themselves had coined for the first roofless 911 in 1965 named for the fabled Targa Florio. All versions received the 2.4-liter motor (actually closer to 2.3 at a displacement of 2,341cc) in 1972, and the S a better transmission to handle the 210 horsepower Porsche had somehow squeezed from the air-cooled flat 6.

Targas are oftentimes overshadowed by their coupe cousins at auction for some reason or another. Of the three 1972 examples to have crossed the virtual block on Bring A Trailer, two failed to reach reserve while the other sold first in 2020 for a fairly competitive $96,000 but then sold AGAIN in March 2022 for a reduced $88,000. Sale, sale, everything must go; buy a Targa for the price of a coupe and get another one free!

Top-Down Touring

Petrolicious - 911 s 2.4
Via Petrolicious

According to Hemmings.com, of the 2,739 911Ss to leave the factory in Stuttgart only 989 were Targa models. So why is a more unique 911 less sought after? Well, one could point to the loss in performance thanks to a weaker chassis: without a cross member between the A and B pillars, the floor becomes the only bit of metal holding the front of the car to the back.

It wasn't too long ago that these F-Body 911s were almost a dime a dozen - until a 1970 911S previously owned by silver-screen legend Steve McQueen sold at a Monterey RM Auction for a staggering $1,375,000. Besides the fact it had starred in the opening scenes of McQueen's Le Mans, this S was just like any other.

Immediately, 911 prices began their steep ascent. Everyone wanted a 911 just like McQueen's, or any old 70s 911 to dump their 401K into. Prices for the four-cylinder 912s stayed reasonable, and for a while remained the only air-cooled Porsche any mere mortal could rationally purchase in running order for less than a new Toyota GT86.

Unfortunately, those too have recently gone the way of the 911

Richmonds - 911 S targa
Via Richmonds

Related: 17 Surprising Details About The Porsche 911

50 Years Later: Porsche Design's '72 Targa

Earlier this year Porsche finished restoration of a 1972 911S Targa as an homage to 50 years of Porsche's clothing and accessories brand, Porsche Design. Released alongside its 992 generation Targa clone, the goal of the project was to create a "historic counterpart for the new 911 Porsche Design 50th Anniversary Edition special model" according to Porsche Classic director Ulrike Lutz.

porsche newsroom - porsche design
Via Porsche Newsroom

As a nod to F.A. Porsche, the eldest son of Ferry Porsche and founder of Porsche Design, this special edition Targa S is finished in his color of choice: black. In true long-hood fashion, this narrow-bodied 911 is adorned with minimally offset anodized Fuchs wheels. The rear window is solid glass, as it would have been when it rolled off the factory instead of the fold-down option available to earlier cars.

The interior carpet and dash is black while the seats and door cards are a checkered black and "cool grey" in Porsche's Sport Tex material. Like any other 911, the key sits to the left of the C-series steering wheel.

Porsche Newsroom - 2.4 engine
Via Porsche Newsroom

This particular chassis began life in 1972 as a 2.4 911T, or the most basic model, as mentioned above. Porsche Classic uprated the engine and chassis to that from the "S" version of the same year, which utilized the same displacement but was tuned to 210 horsepower.

As a "special highlight", Porsche Classic gave their '72 S a platinum finished rollbar, much like the brushed stainless steel one that graced the original. The "Targa" designation along the side matches that of the special edition 992 model, along with a "Porsche Design 50th Anniversary" badge with a copy of Ferdinand Alexander's signature on the rear engine cover.

Related: 1990 Classic Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa Reimagined By Singer Is Available

Porsche Newsroom - 911 s 2.4
Via Porsche Newsroom

In Porsche's Newsroom article on the project, the greatest challenge was recreating the historic F-body interior using modern materials. Fortunately, an experienced in-house upholsterer conjoined the Sport Tex fabric to the 50-year-old seats, and the car was ready for Uwe Makrutzki (head of Porsche Classic Factory Restoration) to take it for a spin.

Porsche Newsroom - 911 2.4 s
Via Porsche Newsroom 

Thanks to Porsche Classic's dedication and determination, this 1972 911 Targa is brought back to its heyday glory along with a few modernizations. Most importantly, the beating heart is unchanged from how it left the factory in 1972 (albeit in the back of another car). Refreshing, in a world of electric powertrain conversions.

Whether this car will ever see tarmac again is a separate matter, and in all honesty not one I'm too fussed over: this creation is a work of art, and deserves to rest after 50 long years of use.

Sources: Hemmings, Porsche Newsroom, Bonhams