How many 1968 911 Hard windows were built

[perks]

First I would like to thank our friend and fellow Pelican Kirk R. (bgyglfr) for selling us a beautiful 1968 911 Targa. Down the road I would like to restore to original tangerine color. I am having a tough time finding some production info on the car. I just received the COA and it is what we expected, 1968 911 Targa (U.S.) with hard window originally tangerine and black. It looks like 267 911 Targa's were built in 1968. I am trying to find out how many of those were hard window Targas. I contacted Porsche for the information but was told that information is not available. If the COA lists the option of hard window vs. soft window how can they not know the number that were built? Any help would be appreciated.

[djpateman]

The factory has the Kardex files, but to look at each of the 1700 Targa records to get a count of hard window vs soft window would be time consuming, and therefore expensive. I suspect that it is just easier to say that it is not available.
If you wan the Kardex for this car, then I can help. What information can you provide me with?
Dave

[Daves911L]

No one knows the number. Someone would have to look up each and every '68 kardex, and assess whether it was hard window or soft window. I suppose Porsche could do this if they desired, but apparently they have never felt the desire to do this. I don't remember the exact production numbers for '68, but this would mean going through several thousand cards. My gut feel, just based on the cars I've encountered over the years, is that the soft window was more prevalent in '68, and the hard window was somewhere in the 25-40% range of targas. Just a guess though.

If you mean 911 Targa's in the generic sense, there were considerably more than 267 built in '68. Because of the odd '68 numbering system you have tot total up each model (911, 911T, 911L, 911S, and then US/ROW versions to get a total. In my specific case ('68 L Targa ROW) there were some 300+ examples built.

Oops, djpateman beat me to the punch!

[Bird911]

Originally Posted by djpateman

The factory has the Kardex files, but to look at each of the 1700 Targa records to get a count of hard window vs soft window would be time consuming, and therefore expensive.

I still think that Porsche could do this. Making a complete database from the Kardex. Considering the fees ($100-110) they charge for every COA, this database could pay for itself in a couple of years. Porsche often refer to their history for marketing purposes, and they should invest in such a project.

[djpateman]

If they want to pay me a reasonable fee, then I will do the work. The conversion from paper to computer records really needs to be done.

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by djpateman

If they want to pay me a reasonable fee, then I will do the work. The conversion from paper to computer records really needs to be done.

But, the work is of interest to you, not them. While we "hobbyists" obsess over minute details of cars built 50 years ago, they build and sell new cars. That's their business. Only to the extent that history is useful for marketing and image would such an expenditure be justified. Kind of hard for me to imagine what tangible value would be had from digitizing warranty cards for cars that are out of warranty by decades, and in most cases no longer owned by the original purchaser.

For the OP, what difference does it make how many were glass or plastic windows? Or how many were built? You've got a neat targa to enjoy.

Not trying to be contrary, just thinking about it realistically. And sometimes I think it is curious how car guys have become like stamp collectors.

[nvr2mny]

Did the '68 glass rear window Targas have the small alum trim pieces (where the bar meets the body) like the SWT do? perks, does your '68 have these? I have 2 '68 Targa's. One, a '68 912 does have these (and was converted to glass decades ago). The other one, a euro 911T does not have those pieces. It too, has a glass rear window. Both Targas had the rear seat deletes.

[bgyglfr]

I can't remember if it's there or not. Matt will have to look. A few things point to this car being a very early production hard window car. Like many 68 cars, it has some unique transitional pieces. The targa bar itself is not vented. It must have been left over from the soft window cars. Also, the rear defrost in the glass run vertical rather than horizontal like later cars.

Matt, seriously dude, where are the pics? What's the production date from the coa?

[Avanti]

Originally Posted by Bird911

I still think that Porsche could do this. Making a complete database from the Kardex. Considering the fees ($100-110) they charge for every COA, this database could pay for itself in a couple of years. Porsche often refer to their history for marketing purposes, and they should invest in such a project.

Always has puzzled me why the COA is so expensive. It's overpriced for what it is unless you consider some cars it increasing the value. For that, it's a great deal. My gripe is that other makes that offer build sheets and other production give so much mor production info for about $50. I guess the word Certified makes it cost more.

[perks]

I wanted to reply sooner but had to go to work last evening. I appreciate everyone's quick responses. Daves911L I agree it makes no difference when out on a morning drive if its soft/hard window blue or tangerine. It is a great car and I love driving it. However, I think it would be valuable to know how rare or common the car may be when it comes time to restore. Say for example there were only 2 tangerine/black hard windows in this model it may be better to restore to original than customize. I see what you guys mean as far as it being a waste of time for Porsche to take the time to find all this kind of info. Its easy to get a little obsessed with the early cars and forget they make new ones too, lol.
The production date is April '68. I have found that the majority of hard windows were late in '68 and were rear seat delete cars. Nvr2mny I will attach some pictures of car so you can see trim. It does have aluminum trim between targa bar and body if thats what you are asking about.
Thanks again for everyones help/responses

[perks]

[perks]

Kirk here are some new pictures of your old car.

[perks]

[glerbone]

My 1968 Euro 911T had the trim as well.

My COA - states hard window as well. It was a late 1968 build.

I'm in the process of converting it back to Euro specs from US.

[perks]

djpateman, what kind of info is on kardex that is not on the COA.

[JT912]

Importer, option codes, possible original owner, warranty work, and I think mine also had an export date.

[djpateman]

Key codes always, sometimes warranty booklet #, invoice date to dealer/distributor, warranty start date, Webasto heater serial, radio serial.
Some have a lot of info, and others very little; I guess that depended on info fed back by the dealer. These are warranty documents, but the basic info is based on the production records.
I find it useful to translate the options myself rather than depend on PCNA.