1970 Porsche 911T Targa Custom - Matching Numbers and COA

Description

This 1970 911T Targa in Irish Green was delivered on January 3rd, 1970 to its original owner in Flint, Michigan. The original maintenance record shows service stamps through November of 1975 and many other receipts outside of the maintenance log for work performed on the car (most of them from Tom Sullivan Porsche/Audi in Birmingham, MI).

Poring through the dozens of receipts for work, it looks like the vehicle changed ownership in early 1976 by which time the vehicle had just over 69,500 miles. And then in 1977 or early 1978, an ownership change again where records show consistent ownership through early 1979. At this point, the Porsche is in Ann Arbor and the last service record to end the 1970s is from Howard Cooper Volkswagen showing 79,528 miles on the clock in February 1979. Throughout these ownership cycles, one sees the usual maintenance items (oil changes, tune ups) along with some more substantial work (oil tank replacement, caliper rebuilds, etc.).

The records are incomplete to start the 1980s but emerge again in 1985 where the Porsche has changed ownership again and is about to undergo a big modification. It’s the age of whale tails and wide fenders and the 911T gets the full Turbo-wide body treatment. Steel flares front and rear, new hood, faux impact bumpers, the works (pictures are available showing this work in a variety of stages). Additionally, the Porsche gets its first major mechanical overhaul with receipts showing new pistons, cams, valves, bearings, etc.. Seats are replaced with Recaros and the car was shod with new wheels and tires. It looks like this project took quite a while, having started in June 1985 lasting perhaps in to early 1987 for final completion (the Recaros, for instance, show purchased in April 1987). And it is refinished in Silver. While I can't pinpoint the exact date of finalization, what is clear is that the car was out of commission for some time while the transformation took place. Service records are spotty but two key records exist in 1988. In March of that year, the transmission was rebuilt and in May the Porsche had some service work done. The latter gives us an odometer indication on the invoice of 82,305 miles.

There are few records of note after this time. The next owner purchased the car in late 1999 and drove it to Minnesota where it was enjoyed as a occasional driver. He had limited records but admittedly hadn’t had to do much other than perform basic maintenance and drive it. A receipt in July 2001 shows a replacement of the cap, rotor and plug wires with a recommendation for a new fuel pump. And a mileage indication of 93,971.

Fast forward to November 2015 when I purchased the car from the Minnesota owner with the vision of a restoration (either back to full original or a tasteful Singer-like restomod). The Porsche was not running but stored appropriately in a climate controlled garage under cover. The vehicle by this time had 96,851 miles. I’ve had the Weber carbs professionally rebuilt, replaced the aftermarket fuel pump with the rebuilt original Porsche unit, have changed the plugs and now the vehicle runs. It clearly needs some additional tuning as while it revs up nicely, there is a stumble when cold and at lower RPM. See motor running here: https://youtu.be/evzNUU-_UAQ

Why the sale? My interest and ability to commit to this project has changed. A new job, potential relocation and other competing priorities make this a difficult undertaking at the moment.

I want to be completely open about what this car is (and as importantly, what it requires). This car is a genuine, numbers matching (engine and transmission) 911T Targa with fewer than 100K miles and a Porsche COA to prove it. Knowing that a potential buyer will want as full a view as possible when buying a car sight unseen, I’ve pulled the interior to give shots of the pan and have taken many photos of the underside. This car will require some rust repair and, depending on your vision, more substantial work to return to absolute original. The interior is in decent shape but the Recaros are worn and the carpets could use attention or replacement in some spots. In summary I’m willing to provide more details, videos, photos, receipt copies, etc. to get the buyer comfortable with what it will need. And while I’ve got the interior out of it at the moment, I’m happy to reinstall prior to delivery.

Thanks for your interest and happy bidding!