To celebrate a half century of Porsche Design, Porsche has developed a pair of special 911 variations: the 911 Edition 50 Years Porsche Design, and a very special example: a 911 S 2.4 Targa from 1972 that has been painstakingly restored — and updated.
If it were to be offered for sale, the restored 1972 911 S would be an ultimate Porsche collector’s piece. It is likely destined for Porsche’s own museum, however, as a figurehead for the birth of Porsche Design.
The 911 Edition 50 Years Porsche Design, on the other hand, will be produced as a limited-edition production car. Only 750 examples are planned. The model is outfitted with the Targa 4 GTS variant’s six-cylinder biturbo engine, which delivers up to 473 horsepower and can push the Edition 50 Years to 62 MPH in 3.5 seconds.
Like the restored 1972 911 S Targa, the 911 Edition 50 Years is painted gloss black — Porsche Design co-founder Ferdinand Alexander’s favorite shade for design, and also the color of the original Chronograph 1 watch, which is also being honored this year. Like the restored 911 S Targa, the Edition 50 Years features Sport Tex accents.
The 911 Edition 50 Years Porsche Design will be available in U.S. dealerships this spring, and will start at $183,800.