Porsche 911 Targa 2.2 - 1971

The 911 2.2 T Targa was Porsche’s open‑roof, entry‑level 911 for the 1970 and 1971 model years, combining the trademark air‑cooled flat‑six with the distinctive Targa concept: a removable roof panel, fixed stainless‑steel roll hoop and a heated glass rear window. It sat below the E and S in the range, but delivered the essential 911 character with a friendlier temperament and running costs.

Key upgrades over the earlier 2.0‑litre cars centred on the enlarged 2,195 cc engine (84 mm bore, 66 mm stroke). In European specification the 2.2‑litre T used triple‑choke Zenith carburettors and produced 125 PS (92 kW), prized more for its flexibility than outright punch. In the United States, to meet tightening emissions rules, many T models uniquely adopted Bosch mechanical fuel injection while keeping a similar peak output. The broader torque curve made the Targa a relaxed companion for touring, yet still willing to rev with that trademark 911 howl.

Chassis tuning was refined versus earlier long‑hoods: the already‑adopted longer wheelbase (2,268 mm) enhanced stability, and Porsche continued to iterate anti‑roll bar and damper settings for sharper response without sacrificing ride. Four‑wheel disc brakes, rack‑and‑pinion steering and torsion‑bar suspension kept the 911 T faithful to its lightweight, communicative ethos. A 4‑speed manual was standard, the dog‑leg 5‑speed optional, and the clutchless Sportomatic could be specified. Fuchs forged alloys remained a desirable option alongside standard steel wheels; 14‑inch “comfort” tyres were popular on T models.

The Targa body itself was an engineering answer to looming U.S. safety concerns about full convertibles. Porsche leaned into this with period ads calling it “the first safety cabriolet”, the brushed stainless hoop becoming a brand signature. Partial underbody galvanisation introduced around this time improved corrosion resistance—another subtle but meaningful upgrade for real‑world ownership.

In period the 2.2 T Targa faced an eclectic field: Jaguar’s E‑Type, Alfa’s 1750/2000 GTV, BMW’s 2800/3.0 CS and, from 1970, the Datsun 240Z. Road tests praised the Porsche’s steering feel, braking and long‑distance poise, with caveats about lift‑off oversteer demanding respect on wet roads—very much part of the classic 911 lore. While the S grabbed headlines, the T did vital brand work by broadening the 911’s reach without diluting its DNA.

Pop‑culture visibility came easily to early long‑hood Targas; they appear frequently in films and TV set in the era. A neat period tie‑in: Steve McQueen opened Le Mans (1971) in a 2.2‑litre 911—an S coupé, not a Targa—but it cemented the sound and stance of this generation in enthusiasts’ minds. Quirky footnotes include the Zenith carburettors’ reputation for being fussy to tune and the availability of the semi‑automatic Sportomatic. Today the 2.2 T Targa is celebrated for approachable performance, analogue purity and open‑air charm—an authentically Porsche blend.