A Targa That Looks Like A Targa (again)

[sithot]

Porsche went back to their roots (looks wise) on the design of the new Targa.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...auto-show.html

[John Z Goriup]

Porsche went back to their roots (looks wise) on the design of the new Targa.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2...auto-show.html

I don't know who went back to whose roots, and I don't want to appear too anal about attributing this latest marketing ploy to Porsche's styling department, because something about the image in your post and opening the attached link stimulated a few long dormant neurons in my so-called brain and reminded me that this story looked awfully familiar.

Lo and behold, after a little googling I found that issue 176 of Excellence magazine, September 2009, featured a story by Ian Kuah about the eRUF "Greenster", an all-electric, 2nd generation ( for RUF ) battery powered Irish green Targa, which, to my eyes at least, looks exactly like the blue one shown in Detroit. I think Curt Egerer was the only one at the time to take notice and post something about this.

Response to the current introduction of the PORSCHE 991 Targa appears to be about as tepid as it seems to have been about RUF's Irish Green, one-off, 3600 pound, Rube Goldberg folding top study of '09.

Seems to me that the only party likely to emerge financially intact in their attempt to revive the traditional Targa concept is Alois R., who obviously has managed to pawn off the hand-built design of his creation to Porsche, probably recouping some of his investment in pioneering a direction Zuffenhausen appearantly wasn't pursuing at the time………….. what with all the R & D money going to buy VW shares.

JZG

[sithot]

Buy it, borrow it or steal it? Sometimes easier to buy a design than to reinvent the wheel. I do recall the article. If Herr Ruf did pawn it off I'm sure he has secured "something" in return. He is a good businessman and runs a fine design/engineering firm. A tip of the hat to him.

[sithot]

I stand corrected. I don't think Ruf went quite this far with development. Holy mackerel!!!

http://www.usatoday.com/videos/money...01/13/4462327/

Tom

[naparsei]

I have a '71 in that color combo (medium blue, obviously the newer car is a bit more, well blue)...

[Barwaut]

Lo and behold, after a little googling I found that issue 176 of Excellence magazine, September 2009, featured a story by Ian Kuah about the eRUF "Greenster", an all-electric, 2nd generation ( for RUF ) battery powered Irish green Targa, which, to my eyes at least, looks exactly like the blue one shown in Detroit. I think Curt Egerer was the only one at the time to take notice and post something about this.

As if Ruf designed the 'modern' Targa? Common on...

Anybody with 2 'neurons' could have designed (visually) the 'new' targa on the 911 body style after they discontinued it with the 993...

[Richardnew]

Retro is so 5 minutes ago.

Richard Newton

[letsrollbabe]

I like the new Targa...I would rather have one of these than a cabriolet. I especially like the retro look with the brushed aluminum bar. It shows Porsche is proud of its 70s heritage, and only reinforces how our beloved long hood 911s have an influence in today's car designs.

[davewadd]

I like the new Targa...I would rather have one of these than a cabriolet. I especially like the retro look with the brushed aluminum bar. It shows Porsche is proud of its 70s heritage, and only reinforces how our beloved long hood 911s have an influence in today's car designs.

Ditto! Car looks great!

[Milou]

This Targa is a great surprise...it looks great....they achieved a miracle...going retro was a huge risk and they combined it with technology....it worked...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQAnM...oh46YtgCshYbjV