• Safe: the automatic roll-over system remains active
• Individual: the return of the classic lines of the legendary Targa
• Sturdy reliability: Quality with a capital Q and minute attention to detail

Ostfildern, Germany – Sorely missed by many Porsche drivers: the “genuine” Targa. However, it is now back again: the Swabian company GTM Automotive has now developed and produced the Classic-Hardtop with removable Targa panels for cabriolet models in the current Porsche 911 series.

For many Porsche fans, the last real 911 Targa was the series 964, which was built until 1993. The following three generations of the 911 had to compromise with a glass sliding roof. For many purists, however, even a large sunroof is still a long way from being a true replacement for the legendary Targa. Particularly drivers who feel too exposed or less safe in a conventional cabriolet value the original version of the 911 Targa due to its protective roll-over bar.
The basis of the Classic-Hardtop from GTN Automotive is the sturdy Targa bar made of light, but high-strength multi-layered carbon. This material can be manufactured only in a skilled manual process and is traditionally used in aircraft construction and motor racing. Just like on the already legendary super sports car Carrera GT, the Classic-Hardtop is a Targa roof made of carbon. However, it now comprises two double-layer roof panels, which makes it easier to stow in the luggage compartment. The panoramic rear window of the Classic-Hardtop is made by hand from ultra-light polycarbonate. This highly-impact resistant material is known as Makrolon® and is used in motor sport to replace much heavier automotive glass. As protection against damage and environmental influences such as scratches or sunlight, the panoramic window is also provided with a scratch-resistant coating on both sides and is available in three tints. As an option, the window can also be tinted to match the colour of the other glazing. All fasteners and hinges on the Classic-Hardtop are made of high-quality stainless chromium-nickel steel.

The real Targa is back again

The team working with Gerald Nitsch at GTN Automotive wanted to revive the original open Targa and produced the first drawings for the Classic-Hardtop over two years ago. Taking these drawings with him, Nitsch visited dealerships in the U.S. to get their opinion. There was an overwhelmingly positive response in the second-most important world market for Porsche. The U.S. Porsche dealers were particularly taken with the harmonious lines of the Classic-Hardtop and the personalisation options. This was followed in autumn of 2007 by the first 1:1 model in traditional automotive clay, which was produced by the company Form³ in Althengstett, Germany. At a presentation to Porsche designers under team boss Michael Mauer, the model received enthusiastic praise for the unique ability of the Classic-Hardtop to allow the 911 to be used as a Cabriolet, Coupé or Targa. The final series-production design of the Classic-Hardtop then required great attention to detail. GTN Automotive concentrated its search for qualified skilled craft companies in Baden-Württemberg. For example, the panoramic rear window of the Classic-Hardtop was developed by KIRSCH Kunststofftechnik. The window has an innovative nano-coating and is both scratch-resistant and anti-static. The experts from Ebersbach were given the challenge of engineering the rear window in the desired three-dimensional form and the required high quality on the basis of the complex specifications, and then manufacturing the window in series production. The entire construction of the Classic-Hardtop is produced by hand and comprises several layers of carbon. The interior lining of the Classic-Hardtop is optionally available in Alcantara or original Porsche leather, depending on customer wishes. The design team at GTN Automotive also specified that the stitch type and spacing of the double saddle stitch seams should exactly correspond to the series-production standards of the 911 to ensure that the Classic-Hardtop also harmoniously matches the interior design of the 911 from inside. The result of over two years of development is a Classic-Hardtop that is significantly lighter than the conventional hardtop available as an optional extra from the manufacturer. The advantages of the weight saving can be experienced in the truest sense: the Porsche 911 Cabriolet with Classic-Hardtop offers highly dynamic driving and, thanks to the lower centre of gravity, extremely agile handling. The carefully hand-crafted Classic-Hardtop is therefore more than just the sum of all of its individual details. For although it is the attention to small details that helps create perfection, perfection is not a small detail in itself. The philosophy of GTN Automotive: Swabian innovation.

Exclusive and individual

The company Porsche showed a touch of genius in its choice of name at the time. Targa means protective shield and also evokes positive associations with one of the most legendary road races in Italy, the Targa Florio. However, the original version of the Targa was discontinued in 1996 with the introduction of the 993 series. Nevertheless, the classic form of the original Targa built up to 1994 still has many admirers. This was reason enough for GTN Automotive to revive the design of the legendary Targa. A primary design goal was to maintain the classic lines of the original Targa and to reinterpret this by incorporating modern elements and features. After all, no other body variant of the 911 combines open driving pleasure with such a high level of safety. The 911 with open Classic-Hardtop is quiet and comfortable even at the highest driving speeds. When closed, the noise level is reduced even further thanks to high-tech silicone sealing systems, thereby enhancing the relaxation and safety of the driver and passengers. The classic Coupé lines are preserved. Extensive testing in a wind tunnel has shown that the drag coefficient, known as the Cd value, exactly corresponds to the value of a Coupé when the Classic-Hardtop is closed. Even when open, a Porsche of the 997 series with Classic-Hardtop achieves an excellent Cd value of 0.30 and is therefore much more aerodynamic than many closed sports cars from other manufacturers.
The Classic-Hardtop also offers Porsche drivers various personalisation options. The Classic-Hardtop is available in three versions: the Targa bar and roof panels are available either in exposed real carbon, painted in the vehicle colour or in a classic stainless steel design like on the original Targa.

Functional and practical

Space is always at a premium when touring. The 911 with Classic-Hardtop offers two safe seats for children in the rear. The rear seats can also be used without restriction when the Classic-Hardtop is open, because the protective roof structure perceptibly reduces disturbing wind turbulence in the rear. Alternatively, the rear can be used as additional storage space for luggage. The 911 with Classic-Hardtop therefore becomes more suitable for families both for holiday journeys and in everyday use. The two roof panels can be removed in seconds and can then be easily stored in the boot in the supplied bag. Even after storing the roof, there is still space in the front compartment for a standard flight case. The 911 with Classic-Hardtop also offers safe stowage space on the backrests of the folded-down rear seats. Two additional cases plus travel bags fit into the rear of the 911. Weighing a mere 19 kg, the light basic element (frame with panoramic window) of the Classic-Hardtop can be installed easily in less than a minute by two persons. It is also less bulky and requires less space in the garage than a conventional cabriolet roof outside the Targa season. Actual assembly can be described in just a few words: plug in and play. No modifications to the vehicle are necessary. The optional preparation for the works roof available as an extra is sufficient for the Classic-Hardtop. Given the weight advantage of up to 50% of polycarbonate over conventional glass and the fact that carbon is used for the frame construction, the overall centre of gravity of a vehicle with a Classic-Hardtop is lower than for the series-production Cabriolet. Due the higher thermal conductivity of conventional glazing, the Makrolon window of the Classic-Hardtop also protects the interior against unpleasant heating when exposed to the sun. This effect is also enhanced by the multi-layer construction of the carbon parts (roof panels, Targa bar).
At the same time, the vehicle heating performance is also improved by the excellent insulation properties of the Classic-Hardtop.

Open and safe

The Classic-Hardtop is ideal for Coupé enthusiasts who want to drive with the “top down”, but do not wish to dispense with the stability and safety of a body with rigid roll-over bar. Its sturdy design is underlined by the technical acceptance and approval of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority. The vehicle occupants are protected by exclusively hand-crafted high-strength carbon. The proven safety functions of the current 911 series, such as the automatic roll-over protection system and POSIP (Porsche Side Impact Protection System) remain active at all times. The high strength of the Classic-Hardtop also increases the torsional and flexural rigidity of the open Cabriolet body. This offers even greater safety in everyday driving. In short, a 911 with Classic-Hardtop offers open-top, fresh-air driving pleasure at any time of the year - even outside the summer months. The Classic-Hardtop is reason alone to purchase a Porsche 911, providing the driver with a Cabriolet, Coupé and Targa in one. What is more, GTN Automotive provides a 2-year warranty. The Classic-Hardtop can be ordered at www.gtn-automotive.com or by phone on 0049-711-30020490.