IN THE GARAGE: 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa

Beautifully preserved.

IT’S TARGA TIME! As we creep into September, we—or at least those of us in the northern hemisphere—start to see nights getting just a little cooler, the air getting a little more crisp and the light getting a littler more subdued. Soon the colors will be changing and the sun will be warm but not sizzling. It’s a perfect time for motoring which makes it a perfect time for a 911 Carrera 3.2 Targa. Not quite open, but not quite closed. Classic and timeless, the early 80s were supposed to be the end of the line for the 911. Their popularity remained as strong as ever, however and the Carrera 3.2 is the car that ushered in its continuation. It’s not hard to see why. They were quick, nimble, reliable and efficient. Nothing that Porsche—or anyone else at the time—could come close to. The car presented here is a perfect example of those attributes. It’s been gently driven and meticulously maintained to preserve those qualities. While all 911s can be considered special, this one is just a little more so for having been ordered from the factory (code L999) in its rich Garnet Red Metallic paint over Black leather, both of which remain 100% untouched and original. It has all the right stuff including books, tools, records, compressor, colored-crest center caps, etc. and something that is becoming increasingly hard, if not impossible, to find: the original window sticker. It’s as good as it gets for history: well-documented, two PCA (Porsche Club of America) owners and a California/Colorado car for all but three years, so it has no concept of rust.

OVERALL CONDITION
The first thing we notice about the car is its paint. It’s dazzling, deep and glossy. The Garnet Red color plays beautifully in varied light, going from a ruby red to a copper. Perhaps even more spectacular is that it is 100% original with no respray and no touch-up. None. Any chips—and there are a few small ones as well as some nicks in the doors—have been left unmolested and without any pretense that it is something other than an original 1985 factory paint job that’s been pampered. Likewise there are some minor door dings, but those have been preserved as well, even though it would be a simple paintless dent job. A tremendous amount of care has been given throughout its ownership to preserve its integrity. The bügel (targa bar) wears its original black anodization where others have long faded away or been reanodized. Rubber is like new all around and was clearly kept out of heat and dryness. Inside, we find a full leather interior that shows no wear. No cracking, no fading, no warping (also common in dry-weather climates). Controls and instruments all work properly. Carpets are deep, thick, and spotless. The targa top is stain-fee and has none of the tears or runs that are often found in the headliner as a result of multiple foldings. The motor, like any 3.2, is a beautiful piece of machinery but one with less than 70,000 miles is exceptionally beautiful. And yes, the mileage is accurate. In the AutoCheck report, there was an odometer check in 1998 that reported a reading of 69,305 miles. The year before, the reading was 33,763. This suggests the car was driven nearly 36,000 miles in one year. Aside from the possibility that in that year the car was used as a city bus, it is beyond imagination that the odometer reading of 69,305 was reported accurately. Having said that, the condition of the drivetrain (along with the rest of the car) and its documented history (see below) quickly debunk any false reporting. There are no valve guide issues, leaks or unusual noises. Its routine maintenance has seen to that. The transmission has also been serviced on schedule and is very solid with smooth linkages up and down through all gears. Tires are near-new German Fuldas with excellent (90+% tread). This is an exceptionally nice and impeccably preserved example of a classic 911.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
I’ve said it before. 911s are made to be driven. By today’s standards, 207 horsepower is ho-hum, but put it over the rear wheels of a 3,400 lb. car with a low center of gravity and a set of fat tires and just try not to smile. Like any 911, this one is loads of fun to drive. Put your foot in it and its seats will hug you. Show it a twisty road and it will dance with you. If you’re feeling a little racy, that’s fine too. The Carrera 3.2 is considered by many to be the ideal combination of sports and Grand Touring (where later 911s became a little too heavy and cushy for their tastes). Here again, this car demonstrates that well. Everything on it it silky and tight. The 3.2 liter motor fires up and pulls strong while the 915 transmission is crisp and sure with so play and no sync issues typical of higher mileage pre-G50 911s. Steering is very responsive and the road feel is excellent through a tight suspension and excellent Fulda tires. Braking is firm and solid. This is a car that feels classic but completely fresh and relevant. In other words, it’s a true 911.