Another Retro Design: The 2014 Porsche 911 Targa

What goes around comes around, albeit greatly improved.  I was so pleased that Porsche is releasing a car that has strong similarities to my 1971 Porsche 911 T targa. But unlike my car, in which you struggle to get that targa top off and the glass rear window stays in place, this design is far more user friendly. Here is a description how the new top works:


The new 911 Targa's top works much the same way as the 911 Cabriolet's power-folding top does, with two moving parts: the cloth center roof panel, and the rear glass window, which is mounted on a clamshell door. When the button to open up the roof is pressed, two flaps inside the Targa bar open up, the top is folded into a Z-shape as the roof opens, and is then stored behind the rear seats. Once the top is stored, the flaps in the bar and the rear window close, giving the driver the open-air motoring experience. Porsche says the 2014 911 Targa's top takes 19 seconds to open and close while the 911 is stationary.

  Earlier targa tops had a removeable rear window made of vinyl.  These are now highly desired for conversions in later cars like mine, but parts need to be fabricated and  the conversion cost is high!