Tremendous Targa-top cars

The Targa roof offers a halfway house between full convertible and coupe.

Car makers have been dabbling with it since the 1960s and it continues to appeal to those looking for the best of both worlds in their sporting cars.

There have been several variations on the theme of the targa roof and we’ve listed our favourites here in chronological order. There’s everything from the basic lift-out panel to extravagant electrically operated systems to show the targa design is one that still holds a fascination for car designers and buyers.

Triumph TR4 (1961)

Triumph was among the early adopters of the targa style of roof with what it called the ‘Surrey Top’ for its TR4 and subsequent models. The Surrey Top refers to the lift-out fabric part of the roof that spans the passenger cabin in these rugged, fun sports cars, while the fixed portion of the hard top is known as the ‘back light’ as it is glazed.

This arrangement made the TR4 more suited to year-round use thanks to improved weather protection and refinement. Today, a sound TR4 will cost you from £20,000 (UK) and Surrey Top versions are much prized among the car’s fans. Plenty were sold in America in its day and you can pick one up from $18,000 (US)

Toyota S800 (1965)

The Toyota S800 was a scaled down S2000GT in its looks, performance and price, and it came with the added appeal of a removable targa roof. It was only sold in Japan when new and built to comply with kei class rules on size and engine, hence its tiny dimensions and 791cc twin-cylinder engine. With 44bhp, the 591kg S800 was surprisingly nippy and could hit 100mph.

On sale between 1965 and 1970, it set Toyota on the path a wide variety of affordable sporting models and now a well cared for S800 will command £30,000 if you can find one of the 3131 cars built. Exceptionally rare in the US, examples occasionally come up for around $30,000 (US).

Porsche 911 Targa (1967)

If ever a car was intrinsically linked with the Targa name, it’s the Porsche 911. The German firm had been looking for a way to create a convertible out of its 911 coupe, but a full drop-top was proving insufficiently rigid.

So, the idea was hatched to retain the central B-pillar but have folding fabric roof and rear window sections. And in any case, there were fears that US regulators will outlaw all convertibles without an integrated rollover bar. Those fears proved ultimately groundless, but the Targa soldiered on.

The name was inspired by Porsche’s successes in the Targa Florio road race, while the move to a longer wheelbase in 1968 necessitated using a fixed rear window. Every subsequent 911 Targa followed this style, though the 993 used a sliding glass roof rather than a stowable top.

Today, the Targa is a stylish mainstay of the range and is priced new from £91,718 and US$108,600 in the USA; four wheel drive is standard. Classic 911 Targas in good condition like this beautiful 1971 example are appreciating and start around £60,000 and US$80,000 in America.

Porsche 914 (1969)

The spiritual predecessor of the Boxster, the 914 was an even more radical departure for Porsche than the Boxster. It used a flat-four engine and was unashamedly aimed at the lucrative US market, where it cost from around $3000 (£2261).

Keen pricing, great handling from the mid-engined layout and the option of closed or open-air driving helped the 914 sell more than 115,000 units worldwide between 1969 and 1975.

There were also a further 3360 914-6 models with the 2.0-litre flat-six from the 911 that provided much improved performance. A 914-6 today will set you back at least £25,000 in decent nick, but the near identical 914 with its 1.7, 1.8 or 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines can be had for a more reasonable £15,000 in the UK and $20,000 (US) stateside.

Fiat X1/9 (1972)

The Fiat X1/9 seemed at odds with other affordable open tops when launched. The likes of the MG Midget and Triumph Spitfire were full convertibles, but the compact Italian had the last laugh as its targa roof side-stepped growing concerns at the time about the safety of drop-top cars. It also enjoyed a long production life that spanned from 1972 to 1989.

UK buyers had to wait five years from launch before right-hand drive was offered, but a year after that the weedy 1.3-litre motor was replaced by the distinctly more sporting 1.5-litre unit with a five-speed gearbox to make the most of the Fiat’s fine handling. Still huge fun to drive, good ones cost from £4000 (UK). Rare in America, examples out there are priced from $10,000 (US).

Ferrari 308 GTS (1977)

If Tom Sellick wasn’t on commission from Ferrari, he should have been. Starring alongside him in Magnum PI was a Ferrari 308 GTS that cemented the model as a dream car in many children’s minds in the 1980s. The GTS was launched in 1977 when Ferrari swapped from glassfibre to steel bodies for the 308 range and helped to make this one of the best-selling cars the Italian firm built.

Importantly, the lift-out targa panel didn’t affect the looks when in place and made the cabin a more pleasant place to be when installed. Today, 308 GTS values are somewhat higher than the original £16,500 price and you’ll pay from £60,000 for one that’s been looked after in the UK and $60,000 in America.

BMW 3 Series Baur (1978)

BMW and Baur already had form with their targa-style convertibles based on the 1600 and 2002 small saloons, but it was when the first 3 Series version was launched the shape really caught buyers’ eyes. 

From 1978 till 1981, 4595 of these drop-tops were sold. When the new E30 3 Series arrived in 1983, Baur continued to offer its conversion and it remained an option for the two-door saloon even after BMW launched its own fully convertible model in 1986.

Many felt the Baur car was much stiffer thanks to retaining the B-pillar and original door frames, but the sleeker look of the factory cabrio meant it easily outsold the targa conversion. However, rarity today means you’ll pay from £9000 for a good Baur model.

Jaguar XJ-S Cabriolet (1983)

Jaguar had been without a convertible for eight years since the demise of the E-type, but the XJ-S had not been designed with a drop-top in mind. So, the XJ-SC was the solution, offering twin lift-out targa panels above the front cockpit and a fold-down rear section.

It was launched with the 3.6-litre engine first and the V12 followed a couple of years later, and both proved surprisingly good sellers until production halted in 1987 and they were replaced by a full convertible in 1988.

Always an able grand tourer, the XJ-S Cabriolet still works for this kind of driving and can be found in good condition from £15,000 to offer open-top Jaguar ownership at a fraction of the price of an E-type. Only a few hundred were ever imported to America in 1986 and 1987 so very hard to get hold of there.

Toyota MR2 (1986)

Toyota wowed the world with the first MR2 in 1984, but it took a further two years to give is the targa-topped T-bar model.  In Japan, this came with a supercharged engine to boost performance from the Corolla GT-sourced 1.6-litre motor. European buyers got the open-roofed body with the standard 122bhp engine but with the improved suspension of the supercharged model.

The two glass panes were quick and easy to lift out and stored in cubbies behind the seats, which meant the small boots front and rear were just about able to cope with small amounts of luggage. Still great to drive, a good T-bar can be had from £5000 (UK) and $5000 (US).

Nissan 100NX (1990)

Possibly the cheapest way into targa ownership thanks to used prices from just £1000, the Nissan 100NX is also one of the most distinctive thanks to is coupe lines. Don’t expect much performance from European-spec cars with 89 or 94bhp 1.6-litre engines, but US models gains a 2.0-litre with 150bhp. 

Reliability is more of a selling point as these cars keep soldiering on even if the interior trim is typically fragile and soulless in appearance. Forget the rear seats for carrying passengers and just enjoy the fresh air fun on offer for such a bargain price.

TVR Griffith (1991)

Trust TVR to buck accepted wisdom. Its 1991 Griffith could be driven in targa roof form by just removing the centre section of its top. It stored easily in the surprisingly large boot and made this fearsome V8-powered roadster into a fresh air machine in seconds. Alternatively, you could also lower the fabric rear potion of the hood to enjoy a completely convertible body style.

Every Griffith is desirable and new buyers paid from just £26,000 (UK), which was a bargain for a car of this performance and style. Today, you’ll need a similar amount to own a Griffith in smart condition. Extremely rare in the US.

Toyota Supra (1993)

The fourth generation of Toyota Supra took the Japanese maker into a market traditionally inhabited by Porsche and Corvette. Undeterred, the Supra broadened its appeal with an Aerotop targa model that uses a pair of lift-out glass panels to open up the cabin.

There had been earlier targa-roofed Supras, but the fourth generation A80 models took performance up a notch with 220bhp normally aspirated and 320bhp turbo versions.

The latter came with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and could crack 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. No wonder prices are climbing for this model and you’ll pay from £8000 (UK) and $15,000 (US) for one that’s not been given a Fast and Furious makeover.

Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster (1995)

For many, including current US President Donald Trump, the Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster was the ultimate targa-topped supercar of the 1990s. The carbon fibre roof panel was quick and easy to lift out and store in a dedicated position above the engine cover. Putting it back in place was also simple, making its Murcielago Roadster’s fabric roof seem even more ridiculous.

The VT, which refers to this four-wheel drive model’s viscous traction system, gained a 530bhp version of the 5.7-litre V12 but did not receive the more powerful 6.0-litre motor of its coupe sister. Today, a Diablo VT Roadster will require at least £200,000 to add to your garage in the UK and $225,000 (US) stateside.

Bentley Continental SC (1999)

Arguably not Bentley’s finest hour, the Continental SC (Sedanca Coupe) was based on the Continental T that came with a 420bhp, 650lb ft version of the venerable 6.75-litre V8 that had been powering Rolls-Royce models since the 1960s. That grunt was needed when the SC tipped the scales at 2420kg (5340lb), as its lift-out panels were far from featherweight.

Perhaps that’s why it attracted owners like World Heavyweight champion boxer Mike Tyson. In the end, only 73 SCs left the Crewe factory, making them a rare and acquired taste, especially when you’ll pay from £90,000 (UK) for one. Of the 73 made, 48 left-hand drive versions were produced mostly for the US market – they occasionally come up for $120,000 (US) upwards.

Smart Roadster (2003)

In an instant, Smart did away with the dumpy image of its Fortwo model when it launched the Roadster and Coupe models. Every inch the modern interpretation of the Austin-Healey Sprite, these compact two-seaters each came with their own idea of the targa top. The Roadster had a simple retractable canvas roof that worked at touch of a button and you could remove the side spars for a more convertible feel.

With the Coupe, you lifted out the composite centre section and stored it in the already small boot. Although not quick, both found loyal followings and now £1500 doesn’t seem much to pay for such a clever little targa-top sports car.

Ferrari 575 Maranello Superamerica (2005)

There’s a raft of fascinating numbers surrounding the Ferrari 575M Superamerica. Prime among those is the mere seven seconds it takes for the carbon fibre and glass targa roof section to stash away. It opens up the cabin of this 533bhp, 199mph machine that cost from £191,000 ($251,000) when new that was £35,000 ($46,000) more than a standard 575M.

Perhaps less impressive is the 60 seconds it takes for the Revochromic glass to change from completely blacked out to tinted at touch of a dash-mounted button. It’s unlikely to be a deal-breaker for those spending from £280,00 (UK) and $290,000 (US) today to own one of the 599 Superamericas built.

Renault Wind (2010)

The Renault Wind was a better car than its short-lived production life between 2010 and 2012 suggests. Its targa roof flipped back behind the cabin in just 12 seconds and the body remained decently rigid with the cabin open to the elements. A chassis derived from the second-generation Clio/Twingo also meant decent handling and the engines were shared with the Twingo, so were lively if not that quick.

Even a £12,865 starting price seemed fair, but few were taken by the dumpy looks, so sales stuttered and now you can pick one up from £2500. And you’re right, America never got any.

Mazda MX-5 RF (2017)

Mazda has gone down the targa-style roof route for its fourth generation MX-5 alternative to the fabric hood version. Where the previous NC model was available as Roadster Coupe with completely folding metal roof, the Retractable Fastback makes do with stashing its central roof section and dropping the rear window.

While it doesn’t offer the full convertible experience of the RC, it adds a new dimension to MX-5 ownership and delivers greater security without compromising boot space. The RF costs from £22,495 (UK) and $32,345 (US).