We’re approaching the winter auction season when we’ll see a few of the bigger auctions take place and I always find it interesting to take a look at some of the cars crossing the auction blocks during this part of the year. In some cases these auctions will set the stage for market shifts that we’ll see over the course of the coming year, and in almost all cases we’re likely to see cars that we see almost nowhere else. Such as the example here: a Jade Green 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa with Cinnamon interior and 58,949 miles on it. This is said to be the last ’74 Carrera Targa produced for the U.S. market, coming in at no. 246 of 246, and it will be up for auction Saturday January 14 at Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee, FL.
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa at Mecum Kissimmee
Year: 1974
Model: 911 Carrera Targa
Engine: 2.7 liter flat-6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 58,949 mi
Price: Reserve Auction
The last 1974 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa produced for U.S. market no. 246 of 246
Very rare color combination
Code M1 Jade Green exterior paint
Code 36 Cinnamon partial leather interior
Porsche Certificate of Authenticity
Matching numbers 2.7L engine
5-speed manual transmission
Bilstein shocks, intermittent wipers
Targa folding top, tinted glass
Recent restoration with an estimated $40,000 invested
Engine-out service during restoration
New Pirelli tires, gas tank, duck tail spoiler
New leather interior, fuel pump, fuel lines, heater boxes and new floor pockets
New visors, antenna and shifter knob
Refurbished original Fuchs wheels
Replaced seals, gaskets and trim pieces
58,949 actual miles
Five owners including Father and Son
This striking Porsche 911 Targa is the last Carrera Targa produced for the USA market in model-year 1974: No. 246 of 246. In addition to its limited production, the car is optioned with a very rare color combination. The body paint color is special-order Jade Green, best described as a pastel turquoise. This stunning color is contrasted by a black “Carrera†script along the side and a stainless-steel clad roll bar with tinted glass all around. The classic duck-tail rear spoiler and polished Fuchs alloy wheels shod in new Pirelli tires complete the visual impact of this Targa. The interior is special-order cinnamon leather, and it tastefully enhances the overall presentation. It was also ordered with the optional Bilstein shock absorbers, considered superior to standard units because of their gas-pressure design. Model-year 1974 was the first year of the impact bumper 911, internally referred to as the G-series. It was also the first year of the 2.7L engine based on the 7R engine block. This would be the very last 911 engine that would be of magnesium-case design. It is a direct carryover from its European counterpart—the legendary 2.7 Carrera RS—but in detuned form to meet USA emission standards. This particular Carrera Targa has undergone a recent refurbishment and restoration at an estimated cost of $40,000. The matching-numbers engine was removed, re-sealed, serviced, reinstalled and fitted with a new fuel pump, fuel lines, heat exchangers and gas tank. The interior was re-upholstered in the correct cinnamon-colored German leather and fitted with new visors. This particular 1974 Porsche 911 Targa meets all the criteria for an investment-grade classic car: limited production, rare and desirable color combination, numbers matching, restored to original specification, and offered with a factory-issued Certificate of Authenticity to back it up.
Needless to say, this is a very rare exterior color. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it, though it reminds me quite a bit of the Mint Green made available on the 964. Jade Green (and Mint Green) aren’t to everyone’s preference, and as such won’t command the value a few of the other notable pastels can command, but they do have their fans and given their rarity when one comes along those fans need take notice. I find the contrast with the Cinnamon interior to be particularly desirable, though I could totally understand if some may prefer a black interior (though the Cinnamon certainly adds to the rarity). The Carrera Targa itself we see pretty rarely and as the build numbers suggest, with only 246 made, there just aren’t a lot around even if the ’74 isn’t the most desirable year. Though as we’ve seen in the past the ’74 Carreras have shown much better value than the standard 911 of the same model year. I’m not sure I think this will reach Mecum’s estimate of $140K-$165K as that’s really asking a lot, but this one should fetch a pretty nice value nonetheless.
-Rob
