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The 911 Targa Heritage Edition Seen Through the Eyes of a Classic Vehicle Expert

Combining the best historical details of the original Targa and reinventing them using modern-day technology, the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition is a future classic according to many, including engineer Laura Kukuk, a renowned sports cars appraiser and classic vehicle expert.
Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition 14 photos
Photo: Porsche AG
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In a world that’s far from fair, some people have meaningless jobs while others get the opportunity to do what they love. This is the case of 27-year-old Laura Kukuk, who grew up with classic cars and today works as a classic car expert and an appraiser for sports cars in the renowned Kukuk engineering company ran by her father.

The job takes her all over the world as she examines and tests some very rare vehicles. Recently, Porsche allowed her to study and drive the spectacular 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition and compare it to one of its original predecessors.

Using design elements, colors, and materials from the 356 and the original 1967 Targa, Porsche has developed a limited-edition 992-Targa, which manages to blend automotive history with state-of-the-art technologies of the 21st century.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition
Photo: Porsche AG
To use as a reference for her comparison, the expert was lucky enough to get a hold of an early Targa model built in 1971 with a 2.2-liter under its hood and all-black Pepita seats.

Parked near it was the modern-day 911 Targa 4S with exclusive Heritage Design elements like the Cherry Metallic paintwork or the two-tone Bordeaux Red/Atacama Beige interior.

The first element she draws our attention to is the gorgeous set of wheels on both cars. On one side, there are the classic Fuchs rims of the ’71 car, which the expert says were the world’s first forged aluminum-alloy wheel model.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition
Photo: Porsche AG
Even from the age of about six I associated the famous Fuchs rim with the Porsche 911, and I would often be irritated if I saw a Porsche fitted with other wheels” she tells us.

On the other side, the 993 Heritage Design Edition uses a stunning modern interpretation of the classic cloverleaf wheels.

Also made from one-piece forged aluminum-alloy, the five-spoke polished wheels with high gloss black accents establish a link between past and present. That link is further solidified by the traditional Porsche logo from 1963 featured on the wheel hubs.

Another piece of modern technology that fits the Targa heritage and has had a positive effect on the classic car appraiser is the electronically operated roof. “As an engineer, I am really impressed by the design of the Targa roof in particular.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition
Photo: Porsche AG
Unlike the original models that used a small, manually removable version with a soft folding window, the present-day model uses a cutting-edge mechanism that opens the 13 kg (29 lbs) lid from under which the roof is raised over the Targa bar and into position in no more than 15 seconds.

But dropped down, the roof reveals the spectacular two-tone interior with seat panels and door trims made from corduroy along with leather-trimmed A-pillars and instruments, which perfectly compliment the Cherry Metallic paintwork.

The exclusive interior is highlighted by the historic Porsche logo fitted on the steering wheel, head restraints, and central armrest.

Another detail worth emphasizing, according to Kukuk, “is the traditional Porsche analog rev counter, which features the typical green digits of the 1950s, just like the stopwatch.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition
Photo: Porsche AG
Many exterior trim elements are unique to this limited-edition model, such as the traditional gold Targa logo or the 'Heritage' emblem fitted on the engine grille, “which was handed to the early Porsche 356 owners after they had successfully completed the first 100,000 kilometers.”

As for the unique decals, she tells us they are inspired by those “used in the early days of motorsport, when the elongated ‘eyelashes’ were chosen in the works or national color so that the teams could identify their cars from a distance on the racetrack.

After taking all that in, she climbs into the Targa 4S for a lap of the Chiemsee lake, located east of Munich, and here's her conclusion upon returning.

Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition
Photo: Porsche AG
With its references to the 1950s and 60s, the 992 cleverly transports a feeling of heritage into the present. The result is a modern vehicle offering plenty of comfort, while lovingly combining the feelings evoked by the first models.

Set to be produced in 993 units, the limited-edition 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition powered by the latest iteration of the legendary flat-six producing 444 hp (331 kW; 450 PS) will be released this summer.

Enthusiasts can order the limited edition Porsche for a starting price of around $182,000, more than $45,500 above the price of a regular Targa 4S.
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About the author: Vlad Radu
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Vlad's first car was custom coach built: an exotic he made out of wood, cardboard and a borrowed steering wheel at the age of five. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times.
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