Porsche 911 Targa: Every Generation from 1967 to Today

This guide covers every Porsche 911 Targa generation, the evolution of the roof, full specs, and which model to buy at every budget.

Quick Summary

• First year: 1967
• Generations: 8 (long hood, G-body, 964, 993, 996, 997, 991, 992)
• Roof types: Manual retractable roof panel (1967 to 1994), sliding glass (1995 to 2013), automated folding (2014 to present)
• Roll bar: Present on every Porsche 911 Targa except the 993, 996, and 997
• Name origin: The Targa Florio road race in Sicily
• Current price: Porsche 911 Targa 4 from approximately $137,000 MSRP
• 0 to 60 mph: 3.4 seconds (911 Targa 4 GTS with Sport Chrono Package)

What Makes a Porsche 911 Targa Different

The Porsche 911 Targa sits between the coupe and cabriolet. It offers open air freedom with more of the car's structural rigidity than a convertible, and more sky than a coupe with a sunroof. The roll bar stays fixed while the roof section opens, giving the cabin airflow without full exposure.

Porsche patented the name in the 1960s. No other manufacturer uses it. The Porsche 911 Targa has been offered alongside the coupe and cabriolet in the full Porsche 911 model range since 1967.

All Porsche 911 Targa Generations at a Glance

Generation	Years	Roof Type	Roll Bar	Power	Torque
Long Hood	1967 to 1973	Retractable panel	Yes	130 to 190 hp	131 to 166 lb ft
G-Body	1974 to 1989	Retractable panel	Yes	150 to 231 hp	175 to 209 lb ft
964	1989 to 1994	Retractable panel	Yes	247 to 250 hp	228 lb ft
993	1995 to 1998	Sliding glass	No	272 to 285 hp	243 to 251 lb ft
996	2002 to 2005	Sliding glass	No	320 hp	273 lb ft
997	2007 to 2013	Sliding glass	No	345 to 400 hp	288 to 325 lb ft
991	2014 to 2019	Automated folding	Yes	370 to 450 hp	331 to 390 lb ft
992	2020 to present	Automated folding	Yes	379 to 473 hp	331 to 420 lb ft

Long Hood 911 Targa (1967 to 1973)

The original Porsche 911 Targa debuted in 1967 with a brushed stainless steel roll bar, a retractable roof panel, and a folding soft rear window. From 1969, the soft window was replaced by a fixed glass rear window.

Available as the 911T, 911E, and 911S trim levels, this Porsche 911 Targa spans engines from 2.0L to 2.4L with 130 to 190 hp and up to 166 lb ft of torque. The 911S versions command prices above $200,000 for clean examples. Short wheelbase models (1967 to 1968) are the most collectible cars in the entire Porsche 911 Targa lineage.

G-Body 911 Targa (1974 to 1989)

The G-body Porsche 911 Targa kept the retractable roof panel and roll bar but added impact bumpers. This era covers the 2.7L vehicles, the 911 SC, and the Carrera 3.2, with power from 150 to 231 hp and torque up to 209 lb ft.

At 15 years of production, this is the longest running Porsche 911 Targa generation. The SC model is the best entry point for buyers who want a classic car at a reasonable price. The Carrera 3.2 with the G50 gearbox (1987 to 1989) is the most refined vehicle in this era, equipped with improved power steering and a more direct gear feel.

964 Targa (1989 to 1994)

The 964 was the last Porsche 911 Targa to use the traditional retractable roof panel and roll bar before Porsche switched to the glass rear window approach. The 964's 3.6L air-cooled flat-six produces 247 to 250 hp and 228 lb ft of torque. This vehicle was available in both Carrera 2 and Carrera 4 trim levels.

Often overlooked and produced in smaller numbers, the 964 is one of the more affordable air-cooled Porsche 911 Targa models. A strong option for buyers who want the classic roll bar with a more modern cabin and performance than the G-body.

993 Targa (1995 to 1998)

The 993 Porsche 911 Targa was a complete reimagining. Porsche dropped the roll bar entirely and replaced the retractable panel with a large glass section that slides electrically under the rear window. Opinions remain divided on whether this was innovation or a step away from the Porsche 911 Targa identity.

The 993 uses the same 3.6L air-cooled flat-six producing 272 to 285 hp and up to 251 lb ft of torque. About 4,583 were built, making it rarer than the 993 Cabriolet. Values have climbed steadily as the last air-cooled model in the Porsche 911 Targa lineage.

996 Targa (2002 to 2005)

The 996 Porsche 911 Targa continued the glass concept from the 993 with a larger panel. The vehicle uses the 996's 3.6L water-cooled flat-six producing 320 hp and 273 lb ft of torque. Speed to 60 mph comes in about 4.8 seconds.

This is the most affordable modern Porsche 911 Targa, with prices starting around $30,000 to $40,000 for clean cars. It shares the 996's IMS bearing concern on M96 engine vehicles, so a pre-purchase inspection is essential.

997 Targa (2007 to 2013)

The 997 Porsche 911 Targa used a similar glass approach to the 996 but with a larger, restyled panel. The Porsche 911 Targa 4 and Porsche 911 Targa 4S came exclusively with all-wheel drive. The 997.1 produces 345 hp while the 997.2 Targa 4S with the DFI engine delivers 400 hp and 325 lb ft of torque. Acceleration to 60 mph takes about 4.4 seconds in the Targa 4S with the Sport Chrono Package.

The 997.2 Porsche 911 Targa 4S (2009 to 2013) eliminated the IMS bearing concern and is considered the best of the glass-roof cars. These vehicles sit between $50,000 and $80,000 for well-kept examples.

991 Targa (2014 to 2019)

The 991 Porsche 911 Targa brought back the roll bar. This was a dramatic return to the original look, and the reception was overwhelmingly positive. An elaborate automated mechanism lifts the rear deck, folds the retractable roof panel behind the seats, and lowers everything back into place in about 19 seconds. The cabin transforms from coupe to open air freedom at the push of a button.

Available as the Porsche 911 Targa 4 (370 hp, 331 lb ft) and the 911 Targa 4S (420 hp, 368 lb ft), both equipped with all-wheel drive. The 911 Targa 4 GTS added 450 hp and 405 lb ft of torque. The Heritage Design Edition brought even more exclusivity to this model.

992 Targa (2020 to Present)

The 992 Porsche 911 Targa continues the automated roll bar approach with updated styling, a wider body, and the 992's improved chassis. The Porsche 911 Targa 4 makes 379 hp and 331 lb ft of torque. The 911 Targa 4S makes 443 hp and 390 lb ft. The 911 Targa 4 GTS produces 473 hp and 420 lb ft, hitting 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package equipped.

The most refined and capable Porsche 911 Targa ever built, and also the heaviest vehicle in the lineup at over 3,600 lbs. Pricing starts at approximately $137,000 for the Porsche 911 Targa 4 and climbs past $170,000 for the GTS.

How Did the Porsche 911 Targa Roof Evolve

The Porsche 911 Targa has gone through three distinct phases across eight generations:

Phase 1: Manual retractable roof panel (1967 to 1994). A vinyl or metal panel lifts out and stows in the trunk. The roll bar stays fixed. Simple, mechanical, and prone to leaks if the seals on the car are old. This is the era that established the Porsche 911 Targa identity.

Phase 2: Sliding glass rear window (1995 to 2013). Porsche eliminated the roll bar and introduced a glass panel that slides electrically. The 993, 996, and 997 all used this approach. Practical and clever, but the vehicle lost the visual identity of the classic Porsche 911 Targa.

Phase 3: Automated folding with roll bar (2014 to present). The 991 and 992 brought back the bar and added a complex automated mechanism. The car looks like a classic Porsche 911 Targa from the outside but operates at the push of a button. The cabin fills with open air freedom in under 20 seconds.

Which Porsche 911 Targa Should You Buy

• Best value: The 996 Porsche 911 Targa is the most affordable modern model. Expect to pay $30,000 to $45,000 for a clean car.
• Best daily driver: The 992 Porsche 911 Targa 4 is the most comfortable vehicle for daily use, equipped with the latest cabin tech, power steering, and stability systems.
• Best performance car: The 997.2 Porsche 911 Targa 4S offers the best blend of analog feel and modern reliability. The DFI engine delivers 400 hp, and the track speed is impressive for a car with a glass rear window.
• Best collector car: The long hood 911S Porsche 911 Targa is the most collectible model and one of the most valuable production Porsche 911 vehicles. Strong long-term appreciation.
• Best classic experience: The Carrera 3.2 Porsche 911 Targa with G50 gearbox delivers the definitive roll bar experience with a reliable engine, good parts availability, and reasonable purchase prices.

Renn Driver's Take

I have not driven this car yet, but I will update this section once I do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Targa mean on a Porsche 911?

The Porsche 911 Targa is a body style named after the Targa Florio road race in Sicily. It refers to a semi-open vehicle with a retractable roof panel and, in most generations, a fixed roll bar. Porsche trademarked the name in the 1960s. No other car manufacturer uses it.

Is the Porsche 911 Targa all-wheel drive?

Modern Porsche 911 Targa models (991 and 992) are exclusively all-wheel drive. Earlier models were available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations depending on the generation and trim.

Is a Porsche 911 Targa better than a Cabriolet?

The Porsche 911 Targa offers more of the car's structural rigidity than the Cabriolet and a distinctive look with the roll bar. The Cabriolet gives a fully open cabin. The Porsche 911 Targa is preferred by buyers who want open air freedom without the full wind buffeting of a convertible.

How much does a Porsche 911 Targa cost?

A new Porsche 911 Targa 4 starts at approximately $137,000 MSRP. Used models range from about $30,000 for a 996 Porsche 911 Targa to over $300,000 for a long hood 911S model in excellent condition.

Which Porsche 911 Targa has the roll bar?

The Porsche 911 Targa features the iconic roll bar on the long hood (1967 to 1973), G-body (1974 to 1989), 964 (1989 to 1994), 991 (2014 to 2019), and 992 (2020 to present) generations. The 993, 996, and 997 replaced the bar with a sliding glass rear window.

How fast is the Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS?

The 992 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS hits 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package equipped. It produces 473 hp and 420 lb ft of torque from the 3.0L twin-turbo flat-six, reaching a top speed of 191 mph.

Final Thoughts

The Porsche 911 Targa is the most distinctive body style in the 911 lineup. It has been part of the range for nearly 60 years and remains one of the most desirable ways to buy a Porsche 911.

Whether you prefer the raw simplicity of the original long hood, the performance and reliability of the 997.2 Targa 4S, or the automated spectacle of the 992, there is a Porsche 911 Targa for every kind of enthusiast.

Image: Renn Driver