Porsche 911 Targa Values: Understanding Their Historical Significance
At specialty car dealerships and collector car auctions, it’s common to hear the phrase, “When the top goes down, the price goes up.” This maxim holds particularly true for classic cars, where the value often depends on the body style. Take, for example, the classic Porsche 356 Speedster from the mid-1950s, which commands significantly higher prices than a standard 356 Coupe. However, how does this concept apply to the well-regarded Porsche 911 Targa, often considered the red-haired stepchild of the 911 lineup? Here, we break down the values of different Porsche 911 Targa models.
Porsche 911 Targa Values: The History
The Porsche 911 Targa was introduced in 1967, driven by pending U.S. legislation that aimed to enhance vehicle safety standards. This new body style was cleverly marketed as both safe and sporty, taking its name from the Targa Florio road race. With its distinctive roll hoop, the Targa provided crucial rollover protection while maintaining an elegant design. Today, approximately 18% of 911 Carrera sales consist of Targa variants. Despite this, how well do used Porsche 911 Targa models perform in the market compared to their coupe and convertible counterparts? We explore this question using valuation data from Hagerty, a reputable classic car insurance and market tracking provider.
1967 Porsche 911 Targa
Starting with the 1967 Porsche 911 S, this model year featured both coupe and “soft-window” Targa variants. Hagerty’s data indicates that a 911 S coupe averages around $170,000, while a Targa variant is valued at approximately $159,000, which makes it 6.5% less than its coupe counterpart, despite the higher initial cost of the Targa option.
1977 Porsche 911 Targa
By 1977, the Targa style had gained popularity amidst lingering fears about convertible safety. The Porsche 911 Targa was priced similarly to coupes, starting at $15,500 before options. Current valuations suggest the average price for a 1977 Targa sits at around $26,000, compared to $27,500 for the coupe—indicating a mere 5.5% valuation difference today.
1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa
In 1983, Porsche began offering a full 911 SC Cabriolet alongside the Targa, which had become increasingly popular. By 1987, Hagerty’s data indicates that a 911 3.2 Carrera coupe averages around $40,000, while the Targa is valued at approximately $38,000—again reflecting a consistent valuation gap of about 5% less than the coupe.
1997 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa
As we enter the modern generation of the Porsche 911, the 1997 models showcased changes in design and engineering. The average market value for a 1997 Targa is currently around $42,000, trailing behind the coupe’s average of $44,500 by about 5% once again.
Future Porsche 911 Targa Values: Wait and See
This concludes our exploration of Porsche 911 Targa values for now. The more recent 996 through 991-series models are still new enough that their values are largely determined by standard used car metrics rather than by collectors. Consequently, while newer Targa models may hold a premium over their coupe counterparts, only time will reveal if they emerge as coveted neo-classic collectibles.
