Just bought C2 Targa Florio

[turbo jonny]

Hi Folks , i couldnt resist checking out this car and ended up buying it last night ;
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/921387.htm

Exhausted after a long day of travel from Newcastle , much checking and discussions , and a late
drive back. Engine and chassis were sweet as anything and though a targa drives like a coupe almost.
Only gremlin was the sticky first gear that didnt improve with the drive.

Looking forward to lots of detailing and going topless for the first time !

 

[ruane]

Very nice have fun ...................................[]

 

[PGAdamopoulos]

Well done...[]
I hope you got a good price...[]
Happy Motoring...[]

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Congratulations Jonny - Targa Florios are quite rare beasts so don't forget to let me have the details for the 964 Register. You can fill in the details at www.964uk.com/PCGB.htm

Regards

Dave

 

[Steve Brookes]

Very nice. A sticky first gear might be solved by simply bleeding the clutch slave - worked for me []

 

[turbo jonny]

Thanks for the tip i will check that out.

 

[tigertrout]

Hi Jonny

The 964 looks great.i neally brought a targa florio when i was looking.
Enjoy
Andy

 

[Bertroex]

Congratulations on your purchase from a fellow targa passionista.

However.... Can I please provide a bit of information so that all the misinformation regarding calling your Targa a "Targa Florio" gets out of this world?

Meet Harald Wagner.

He is the man who was instructed at Porsche in 1964 as National Sales Manager within the team to find a name for the safety convertible. The name needed to pragmatic, easy to understand and international, without causing offence or be negative. During a brainstorm, all kinds of race tracks were suggested: Monza, Sebring, Silverstone... but everything was already used by other manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz e.g. produced a "Nuerburgring" model in the 1930-ties. However, a name that was available was that from the Sicilian long distance road rally "Targa Florio". But because "Florio" didn't sound attractive, nor was very pronouncable in many foreign languages, Mr Wagner proposed to simply use the name "Targa".

What wasn't know to the team back then, and which provided a bit of a coincidence, is that the word "Targa" means "shield" in Italian. The safety roll- over hoop was factually a safety measure and proverbially "shielding" its passengers.

"Targa Florio" is wayyyy down the South east, but a "Targa" is probably in your garage.

For those who would like to know more about the development history of the open 911 models, I can heartily recommend this book by Tobias Aichele (I unfortunately only have the German version)

Best regards and many happy miles with your Targa's,


Bert

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Bert,

Whilst I don't doubt for a minute that what you say is absolutely true, the one small fact that you omit from your story is the very special version of the 964 Targa that was produced by the factory in 1993 - a product of the Porsche Exclusiv department - was badged uniquely as a Targa Florio. The name has only been used for that one special model and was chosen to celebrate the Porsche successes in that rally you mention waaaaaaay down south!!

Regards

Dave

ETA - Hopefully the attached portion of David Bentley's examply will be proof enough.

 

[Bertroex]

Hi Dave,

Now you mention it, I had a look in the various books: Peter Morgan (The original 911)), Mark Bongers (Porsche and Ruf Sports cars), and the aforementioned Tobias Aichele book, and I can't find anything on this model?

I'd be gratefull if you could perhaps provide a bit more info for my own information: equipment, specification, further options in comparison to the "standard" targa, production numbers and for which markets. I have a feeling that this might be a Porsche Cars GB model only?

many thanks in advance for any input!


Bert

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Bert,

You are correct. The TF was a production of Porsche Exclusiv specially for the UK market. It was based on the standard Tiptronic C2 Targa but had a specially designed all leather interior. There are some more details on the 964uk.com web site here. There is also a little bit of background on page 25 of Adrian Streather's 964 book.

There are no reliable figures regarding the number produced, nor if any were ever sold outside the UK, but every one was converted to right hand drive at the factory. 1993 was the only year they were produced and they were the means by which the factory "got rid" of it's excessive stock of Targa bodies near the end of 964 production.

There are only 4 on the present 964 Register (including Jonny's new one).

Regards

Dave

 

[Bertroex]

So, all were C2? Or was there a C4 as well? All came with a tiptronic and full leather interior and embossings a la 30 years jubilee edition but with "Targa Florio" instead?

Well well well. Thanks for clarifying- indeed a bit of a rare beast.

Bert

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

All were C2 and all were Tiptronic. No C4 version was produced.

Dave

ETA I've just realised that I'll have to eat some of my own words. They obviously were not ALL Tiptronic, because the one that Jonny just bought is manual!!!

 

[turbo jonny]

Mine is a manual ! I am in contact with Adrian Streather at present and hope to be able to provide some more info.
I think they all had airbags air-con heated sports seats upgrade high -fi and special version of cup wheels as standard.

 

[mr pg]

Welcome to the C2 targa club!

 

[roygarth]

Very nice, congratulations.......don't you just love the shape of the Targa rear windscreen! After the 964 model that was lost.

Piers

 

[turbo jonny]

Thanks guys, and yes i do like the shape of the rear windscreen !

 

[George Elliott]

Interesting info, never knew such a version existed. It will carry a premium one day.

On that rear window point, yes it is attractive, and though I am a coupe fan, I have to agree, I always remember my SC targa was really nice around town - the big window allows better visibility and a lighter cabin in the back.

As Steve said, bleed the Clutch, (if the fluid is grey/black order a new slave cyl for later - the black is the cylinder seal breaking down - assisted by the heat in the tunnel area) that was my findings anyway but they are not big £ or hard to fit.

Good luck with it
George
944t
964c2

 

[turbo jonny]

Update - the car is running great now , and after a couple of topless days i am very pleased with the new dimension it gives to
driving in fine weather. Was there ever a stowage bag for the roof as i like the option to put it on the rear parcel shelf ?
Everything is original on the car and no unpleasant surprises found detailing , except that autoglass refused to repair a chip
on the windscreen so i will have to make sure i find a good place to do a replacement properly.

I dont have much info to add yet from Adrian Streather except that " there were only a small number made and nobody is left at
the factory who can remember how many ". I have sent him the build sheet for my car. He has an updated 964 book at the publishers
now so it will be difficult to get new info on the Florio added in time. He says a UK register will be the best research tool for the future.

 

[mr pg]

No, there wasn't a bag for the roof. Do you really mean putting it on the rear pacel shelf, as I wouldn't expect it to fit, and under hard braking it will come flying forward! Normal place is under the bonnet, or on back seats.