2021 Porsche Targa 4

A body style found on Porsche sports cars since the late 1960s is the Targa, a semi-convertible incorporating a substantial roll-bar and, usually, a fixed glass rear window.   Some early Targas featured a "soft" (non-glass) rear window that could be lowered.

Recently, Porsche announced its latest Targa, the 2021 Targa 4 (Car and Driver link here).

This post compares the new Targa (factory images) with examples of first-generation Targas.  The Porsche 911 series and derivatives since production began in 1963 retain the general feeling of the original Ferry Porsche design even though the cars' proportions were gradually altered over the years.  The same can be said for the Targa, as can be seen below.

Gallery

2021 Porsche Targa 4

1970 Porsche Targa - Barrett-Jackson auction photo
The Targa concept includes a wide, metal-finished roll-bar, a fixed rear window (backlight in stylist jargon), and a detachable roof spanning the roll bar and the windshield frame.  The roll bars feature three parallel grooves on the sides, as can be seen in this image and the one above.

2021 Porsche Targa 4

1969 Porsche 911 T Targa - Mecum auction photo
Though the shapes differ in detail, the Targa spirit is retained.

2021 Porsche Targa 4

1969 Porsche 911 T Targa - Mecum photo
The Targa feature is less apparent in frontal views.

2021 Porsche Targa 4
The rear of the new Targa 4 is where major differences appear.  Compare this photo to the one below.  The Targa 4 has an aggressive rear air intake that both retains the location of the original while fitting the more sculpted current body shaping.  The band below it is a variation on today's styling clichés, as is the sculpting below.

1969 Porsche 911 S Targa - Coy's auction photo
The cleaner original rear shaping and detailing.