1967 Porsche 911 S Soft Window Targa
Joseph and Shella Salvo
Newport Beach, CA
Classes: Porsche & Sports & GT 1960 - 1969
Concours Sponsor - San Marino Motor Classic (SMMC)
In 1965, Porsche introduced the 911 to replace the 356 and the 911 went on to be, arguably, the most successful car design in the world as it is still used today. In 1967, Porsche introduced the first "S" model which for the 900 series of Porsche completed the line in the same manner as the 356 (Normal, Super and Carrera). The 911 S had all the equipment of the previous 911, plus many new goodies, plus the 160-bhp engine and appropriately improved brakes and suspension. These improvements garnered an additional sales premium of over $1,000 versus a standard 911, or approximately $7,231 retail, expensive but it is a Porsche. Road & Track's 911 S summary in 1967 was "a superb GT car...everything a Porsche should be - and more..."
1967 was also the first year for the new "Targa" Top. Porsche needed a replacement for the phenomenally successful 356 convertible, but they were very concerned about pending US Regulations concerning convertibles. So, Porsche designed their new convertible with a built-in roll over hoop and covered it with a decorative stainless-steel strip. Porsche then affixed a soft window to the rear of the car so it could be "unzipped" and dropped to make the car a convertible with a roll over hoop. In 1967, the soft window was standard, and the hard window was an option. In 1968, the hard window was standard and the soft window an option. And by the early 1970’s the soft window had all but disappeared.
Also, of note is for 1967 and 1968 the 911 had a short wheel base and from 1969 on a long wheel base.
This car was originally imported by Volkswagen Pacific Inc. in Culver City CA in 1967. The car was delivered to Anderson & Amich and Chick Iverson (the owner of the first Orange County Porsche Dealership). Chick used the car for 2 years as his personal car and later sold it to Jack Howard Wells on November 15, 1969 for the sum of $6,912.00.
In August 2017, the Salvo's acquired the Porsche, it was all matching numbers and came with the Original Owner's Manual, Tools, Jack, License Plates, all the Documentation including Finance Documents, Maintenance Receipts and even some Vintage Photographs.
This 1967 Porsche 911 S Soft Window Targa is 1 of 483 built and all matching numbers (500160). Chick Iverson ordered the car in Special Order Silver Metallic (96024) paint with an optional Webasto Heater (006-627). The car was produced on 2/8/1967 with engine #961228, transmission #104308 (901/02), Black Leatherette/B interior and Dunlop Tires (165/15). An interesting side bar is Porsche was having challenges with the Silver Metallic paint in 1967 and had chosen NOT to paint cars in that specific color. Chick was able to get Porsche to paint his car in the difficult Silver Metallic making this car an extremely rare car out of the limited number of just 483 produced.
Restoration
This 1967 Porsche 911 S Soft Window Targa (SWT) received a 22-month frame off, nut and bolt Concours Restoration to Factory Original by Car Parc USA - Early 911 Specialists in Costa Mesa, CA. For all restorations Car Parc consults Porsche Kardex/Build Sheet for accuracy. For restoration, the car was disassembled and extensively photographed and categorized. The car was media blasted and then fitted to a Celette frame table with correct Porsche Short Wheelbase fixtures to properly fit panels. When necessary replacement panels are sourced, and a great deal of time is taken to perfect the body “gaps”. The body is prepped for paint on the rotisserie and painted using epoxy primer and single stage Glasurit paint applied in the original Silver Metallic color.
The engine compartment, luggage compartment, bottom, underside, inside fenders and inside of doors are all painted with specially blended undercoating to replicate the factory finish. The dash is painted satin black and Wurth Wax oil is applied to all hollow sections of the car for added protection against rust.
The engine was completely dismantled and chemically cleaned. The casing’s line bore was professionally checked and kept standard. The magnafluxed crankshaft including flywheel and clutch are balanced. New pistons, rings, bearings, valves, valve guides, valve seats, timing chains, guides and tensioners, seals, oil hoses with correct 1967 braided lines are installed, and the oil reservoir is chemically cleaned. A new clutch plate, cover and release bearing are installed. Engine tin is powder coated black. The transmission is disassembled, chemically cleaned, and fully rebuilt. The suspension is powder coated black; A-arms, trailing arms, sub frames, etc. The steering rack and pinion are rebuilt. New ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, etc., etc., etc. New shock absorbers and inner/outer wheel bearings. Brake calipers are rebuilt, and new solid and flexible brake lines are installed. New vented brake rotors, brake pads and tires. Correct for 1967, original date matched 15 x 4.5” Fuchs have been refinished by Harvey Weidman and wrapped in period correct Pirelli Cinturato tires.
The interior is completely reupholstered by a specialized shop and installed by Car Parc. All gauges were restored by Palo Alto Gauge and installed by Car Parc.
Important Numbers: Engine # 961228 Trans # 104308 (901/02) Production Completion Date - 2/8/67
Optional Equipment Per the Porsche Certificate of Authenticity & Kardex: Sonderlackierung (Special Paint Silberm - Silver Metallic - 96024) - Websato Heater (006 - 627) - Dunlap Tires (165/15).
The car has won First Place in its Class in the 2019 La Jolla Concours d' Elegance, the 2019 San Marino Motor Classic, the 2019 Concours on the Ave in Carmel during Pebble Beach Week and the 2019 OC-PCA White Glove Concours. In the 2019 Art Center of Pasadena Car Classic the car was awarded Best German Design. In the AACA Western Fall Meet the car won First Place – First Junior Award, a 2019 National Award Nomination and a 2020 Zenith Award Nomination where 16 cars vie for Best Restoration of 2019 Car Meets from more than 3,000 cars judged. 2020 The Quail A Motorsports Gathering - Spirit of the Quail Finalist – 1 of 6 Finalists out of many entries.car has won First Place in its Class in the 2019 La Jolla Concours d' Elegance, the 2019 San Marino Motor Classic, the 2019 Concours on the Ave in Carmel during Pebble Beach Week and the 2019 OC-PCA White Glove Concours. In the 2019 Art Center of Pasadena Car Classic the car was awarded Best German Design. In the AACA Western Fall Meet the car won First Place – First Junior Award, a 2019 National Award Nomination and a 2020 Zenith Award Nomination where 16 cars vie for Best Restoration of 2019 Car Meets from more than 3,000 cars judged. 2020 The Quail A Motorsports Gathering - Spirit of the Quail Finalist – 1 of 6 Finalists out of many entries.