Question about trim package 76 Targa

[matt gineo]

I just bought this 76 Targa (sitting in a garage for 20+ years) and was wondering if the Brushed aluminum trim on the wheel wells and rocker panels are factory original or aftermarket add ons. I've seen some 911 photos of the rocker panel trim but none with the wheel well trim. They're in perfect condition not one ding or scratch. Original Peru red paint is the same perfect condition.

[Flat6pac]

Thats original, the wheel trim was often removed and now owners are looking to replace that which was long ago thrown away.
Bruce

[tassie targa 76]

would love to see some more pictures and history

[Bob Kontak]

Brushed aluminum starting in 74 - including door handles (available). Wheel well moldings in 75.

Peter Morgan's book says this pertains to the Carrera model but the Carrera model he mentions is not the Carrera 3.0. I don't know if the Carrera is what they called the standard car in Europe or if it is a step up. Anyhoo - He specifically mentions the wheel arch protectors.

http://books.google.com/ebooks?as_brr=5&q=Collector%27s+Originality+Guide+Porsche+911&as_sub=

My ebook is the collectors originality guide

[matt gineo]

Thanks Bob, Do you know if the trim was standard or an option?

[frankc]

Originally Posted by matt gineo

Do you know if the trim was standard or an option?

It was an option. I'll have to look up the option code on my CoA, but like many others who had this option, I have long since removed the wheel arch trim and replaced the aluminum rocker panels with the standard painted style.

[Dave Colangelo]

Regardless of what it is it looks real sweet in my opinion.

Regards
Dave

[timmy2]

Leave it just the way it is. Let everyone else modify and backdate. It makes those cars that are original worth more every day!

[matt gineo]

I definitely will not be removing the trim, as I said it is in perfect condition. I like the way they look and I think they are pretty rare. The only other photo that I've seen with the wheel trim is a Targa that is in the Porsche Museum!

[clarkd]

Targa in 1973 magazine add scan has trim as above.....two images....no photoshop skills!

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by matt gineo

Do you know if the trim was standard or an option?

Matt,

Frankc is correct as far as I read. The book talks of the Carrera (not Carrera 3.0) model having the optional trim and wheel arches as well as body color matched headlight rings. Surely a trim package would have been able to be fit onto a standard model.

Perhaps the book has a better description of the models and the options in a matrix format rather than in text (author's discussion). I will check later today.

Edit:

Sept 75

Option M403 - Alum trim strip under door (check - maybe you have this?)
Option M418 Alum trim strip around wheel

My earlier comment about the brushed alum trim as an option was misleading. All regular models came with the shiny bright work as standard and the Carrera model came with black anodizing standard. It was an option for the Carrera model to have the shiny trim fitted instead of the black.

If you email me I can get you more data.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by clarkd

Targa in 1973 magazine add scan has trim as above.....two images....no photoshop skills!

Ha - there you go. I am saying the option started in 1975 and here they are on a 73.

Ahhh, I think see. The option was not available on the 74 with the impact bumper change and that is how I picked it up as a 75 - it was just resurrected.

[RSTarga]

I had a 71 Targa with that trim from the factory.

[red1]

I have a 75 S with the trims fitted and it says they were an option on the letter I recieved from Porsche when the car was imported recently to the UK

[bassfishman]

Mine has the black trim.

[matt gineo]

Great looking Targa, love the black trim!

[Flat Six]

Beautiful car, Matt -- how about a few more pictures?

[matt gineo]

Thanks, I haven't taken many photos yet, I'l post more as soon as I get a chance.
I'll be doing the pre flight procedures over the weekend and will turn the key as soon as possible. She hasn't been started in quite a while.

[Nate2046]

If any of you saw the 'Wheeler Dealers' episode on the '74 Targa you may remember it had the same trim. I love that show but in typical British snobbery they referred to the chrome wheel arch trim as 'typical American rubbish'. I'm glad to see it was indeed original equipment. Car looks great Matt, congrats, what is the color? Looks almost copper on my monitor.

NVM.... I see Peru red in your first post. We need to see some pics out in the natural light. Looks like a very interesting color.

[frankc]

Pro/con visual aspects aside, the two issues I had with the trim were:

1. From my observation after removing the trim, it appeared the wheel arch holes (for riveting trim pieces) were drilled after the car was painted, thus leaving unpainted and un-galvanized metal exposed to corrosion. This may or may not be an issue depending on where you live and the weather conditions in which you drive your car. There may have been some sealant under the trim - I can't remember exactly as that was over 20 years ago.

2. Even though the aluminum is anodized, it is still soft and mine was heavily sandblasted in the areas behind the tires. This type of damage might be repairable, however I did not look into it.