The other day, during a quick gas stop at a service station on one of Chicago's busiest freeways, we ran into this beautiful Porsche 997 Targa 4 in bronze color. That same day —during the morning—, we had already spent a number of hours drooling over the classic Porsches that one of our close friends and watchlifestylers owns. However, the Targa —regardless of the year— is our all-time favorite Porsche and unfortunately we don't run into it often enough, especially in this very unique color.
The Porsche Targa was launched in 1967 as a model that would combine the best of both worlds in one single car —a coupe and a cabriolet Porsche. Using a roll bar under a stainless steel cover, the Targa featured a removable, folding top from that bar forward to the windshield header and a soft canvas cover with a flexible plastic window that could be unzipped from the car and removed. Today, Targas are equipped with a glass roof and hatch. At any speed, the roof can be opened where it drops down an inch and slides a meter back underneath the hatch. When the glass roof is retracted, a small glass deflector above the windshield is raised to aid in aerodynamic stability.
Unlike previous versions of the Porsche 911 Targa, the Porsche 997 Targa 4 and Targa 4S come with an all-wheel-drive drive-train, hence the '4' in the name. This Targa is fitted with a powerful 3.6 L Six-cylinder engine that delivers 345 hp and reaches 0-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds. The Targa 4S is even more powerful with 385 hp and 0-60 mph in just 4.7 seconds.
As we parked our Cayman S next to this fascinating car, we admired its beauty for a few minutes and realized how similar all Porsches are regardless of the model. All core Porsche design elements are present in both models when looking at them side-by-side. From the headlamps, to the car hips and the overall silhouette, there is really no substitute for a Porsche —a car with a look as unique as the look of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak.
Before getting back in our Cayman S, we decided to check the time on our Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and take one last picture of this gorgeous automobile to immortalize this encounter. As we drove away, we remembered our childhood memories and our lifetime dreams of one day owning a Targa. For now, the Cayman S will have to suffice; however, a Targa will continue to be on the wish list. We really need one sooner rather than later.
If you were born in the 70s —just like the Royal Oak—, you clearly understand why Porsches are so fascinating and particularly the amazing Targas.
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