Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 9117310407
Engine No. 6370833
Transmission No. 7070698
Porsche has long claimed that over 70 percent of their cars
produced since 1948 remain on the road. Launched in 2020, the
Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge helps add to that tally by
encouraging dealers to showcase restoration skills. A regular award
winner, Porsche Tucson found their ideal 2023 entry in this 1977
Porsche 911 Targa, discovered in New Mexico's dry desert
climate.
According to its factory-issued Porsche Production Specifications,
this 1977 Porsche 911 Targa was built as a Rest of World
German-delivery example in Grand Prix White. Like many 911s, at a
point in its history it arrived in the United States, yet unlike
the 70-percent of Porsches on the road, after 262,000 kilometers it
sat unused for decades in the Southwestern state of New Mexico.
While this may be a sad tale for many Porsche enthusiasts, this was
the ideal foundation for Porsche Tucson's 2023 Porsche Classic
Restoration Challenge entry.
The social media documented restoration showed the once-loved (and
multi-colored) 2.7-liter Targa found a caring home in the hands of
44-year Porsche Master Technician Jim Guthrie and his team at
Porsche Tucson. Smartly, the car was coaxed in an operational state
before a disassembly that stripped the car to a bare unibody before
being blasted clean. According to Guthrie, any defects in the body
were remedied and metal finished before its coat of primer. Glacier
White Metallic, a striking modern color, replaced the original
Grand Prix White. The interior is a mix of vintage and modern with
tobacco-colored leather mixed with classic Pepita Houndstooth seat
and door panel inserts. The dash is set with the Targa's original
black-faced VDO gauges next to a modern Porsche Classic
Communication Management (PCCM) head unit. Mechanically, the
matching-numbers 2.7-liter flat-six 915 and five-speed transmission
were completely rebuilt in stock form while in Guthrie's hands.
Underpinning the completely reborn 911 is a rebushed suspension
with Bilstein shock absorbers. Naturally the fuel and electrical
systems were thoroughly sorted as well. Restoration invoices
capture the financial cost, but they can't begin to measure the
passion and human effort invested by Guthrie's team.
The finished Targa was revealed in front of an expectant crowd
gathered at Porsche Tucson before being shown at PCA Werks
Reunion-the premier Porsche event-during Pebble Beach Car Week in
Monterey, California. Older cars rarely get a second chance after
falling into disrepair-yet this is a Porsche. Rescued by the
restoration artists at Porsche Tucson, this 911 Targa once again
offers wind-in-the-hair thrills set to the soundtrack of a wailing
flat-six-restored with custom touches that honor its heritage.
