1967 SWB Targa restoration

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Williams-Crawford
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1967 SWB Targa restoration

Post by Williams-Crawford »

For more than two years, we set out to restore a very early SWB 911 Targa which we had acquired as a project.

Chassis number 500017 is one of the earliest examples known to survive. Records suggest that it predates the first Targa sold to a member of the public, which is known to have carried the chassis number 500021.

As many here may know, back in August 1965 Porsche applied for a patent to cover its new ‘semi-convertible’ and, in the autumn of 1966, work began on the assembly of a series of pre-production examples. As yet, the new model didn’t have a name to differentiate it from the regular coupé versions of the 911 and 912 but, following a meeting held at The Fleischauer dealership in Cologne, at the suggestion of Porsche sales director Harold Wagner the term ‘Targa’ was decided upon in honour of the company’s victories in the Targa Florio road race.

On completion, chassis number 500017 was delivered to Fleischauer and first registered on 31st January 1967. Chassis number 500018 was delivered to the USA on the same day, suggesting that these two cars could well have been used to promote sales of the new model in both the domestic and the largest export markets.

The factory Kardex shows that the engine – number 911124 – is original to chassis number 500017. While this engine (type 901/01) forms part of the range 909001 to 912050 as installed in 911s of this era, it predates the engines fitted to production Targas, which began with number 911191.

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The car remained in German hands until 1982 when it was imported into the UK, at which point it was registered as XEF 88Y on 17th September 1982. In November 1990 it was issued with the current age-related number (SVN 99D). The first UK owner is unknown but the second, Barbara Hutt of Middlesbrough, acquired it in 1983 before selling it to John Bennett in Prudhoe in 1989. Mr Bennett kept the car for only a short time, selling it to Darren Weighell of Northallerton a year later. From that point on it remained in the same family (with a further two registered owners) until it was taken off the road several years later. After several years languishing as an abandoned restoration, it eventually ended up in our workshops in Saltash, Cornwall where our resto guru, Graham Kidd, set to work.

Here are some photos to tell the tale...

As we found it – not an auspicious start, partly stripped and left to fester. The problem is with a project like this, you never know what parts are missing!

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More to follow.
Williams Crawford was established in 1991.
Porsches - we buy, sell, broker, service, restore, custom build, race and event preparation.
For all your Porsche needs, call +44 (0)1752 840307
Williams-Crawford
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Re: 1967 SWB Targa restoration

Post by Williams-Crawford »

The first task was to find out what we were dealing with, so the shell was stripped and media blasted to reveal years of neglect and homespun (well we hope they weren't professional!) repairs to almost every area of the structure. It wasn't a pretty sight, but at least the VIN number was genuine, while other panels carried the original factory code stamps to confirm their authenticity.

Stripped and ready for a trip to the blasters. Gulp! What would we find?

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Whoever 'repaired' the shell shouldn't give up his day job, but it's typical of many an old car, Porsche or not, that was once upon a time just an inexpensive sports car – remember, it's only relatively recently that Targas have found favour and been considered worth restoring properly. And with a chassis number this early, our Targa was definitely worth it!

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Williams Crawford was established in 1991.
Porsches - we buy, sell, broker, service, restore, custom build, race and event preparation.
For all your Porsche needs, call +44 (0)1752 840307
911hillclimber
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Re: 1967 SWB Targa restoration

Post by 911hillclimber »

Great to see.
I hope you can keep detailed up dates as you progress.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
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hot66
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Re: 1967 SWB Targa restoration

Post by hot66 »

Northallerton .. my neck of the woods. Out of interest, when did it leave North Yorkshire ?
James

1973 911 2.4S
1993 964 C2
2010 987 Spyder
1973 MGB Roadster

Its not how fast you go, but how you go fast ;)
Williams-Crawford
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Re: 1967 SWB Targa restoration

Post by Williams-Crawford »

It was sold in 2003 and moved to another family member in Darlington. We've tried to track him down but sadly it appears he has since passed away.
Williams Crawford was established in 1991.
Porsches - we buy, sell, broker, service, restore, custom build, race and event preparation.
For all your Porsche needs, call +44 (0)1752 840307
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