THE $2000 TARGA

The $2000 Targa

Returning Patrick Liddy’s 911 Targa to the road was a full labour of love.

“Everyone I talked to told me to stay far away from this car, but I was offered a price I couldn’t refuse so I threw caution to the wind and took it.”

Racing driver Patrick Liddy’s Targa was a total mess when he found it back in 2021. A non runner, sat outside and full to the ceiling with trash. Too far gone for most, but something kept him intrigued. Now it’s a daily runner, used in all conditions but treated far better than it was when he found it.

“I would say this car is a great example of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” says Patrick. “Although the restoration process was painful, long, and far over budget, I was able to get the car running and completed in about 10 months. As a car enthusiast with a young racer’s budget I couldn’t go for anywhere near a concourse style restoration, but we repainted the car in its original Grand Prix White, bought new trim pieces, new carpets and reupholstered seats.

We also sparingly completed the mechanical work to get it relatively sorted and when it was finally driving, it was sitting on four different brands of tires, littering my garage floor with oil, and it handled corners like a pogo stick.

Over five years of ownership I’ve sat in gridlock traffic on hot LA summer days, been caught in rainstorms with no roof, and thrown it sideways on backcountry gravel roads in the Santa Monica mountains.

“I would say this car is a great example of one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

"While the car would certainly turn up some noses at Monterey Car Week, it feels more like what I’d consider the essence of Porsche."

While the car would certainly turn up some noses at Monterey Car Week, it feels more like what I’d consider the essence of Porsche. It’s light and tossable with considerable torque from the 3.0, and I don’t blink twice squeezing into a tight parking spot at a Silver Lake coffee shop.

I had the good fortune of being driven to school in the backseat of a 996 Turbo, which my dad still has to this day, and this car oozes that same emotional connection. It’s far from perfect, but that’s what makes me favour it over any new Porsche I’ve driven.”