Robert Coucher was born in Cape Town but has lived in London since 1988. Previously the editor of Classic Cars and the Bentley magazine, Robert started Octane magazine ten years ago and it now sells around the world to discerning motoring enthusiasts and racers. www.octane-magazine.com
window was replaced with fixed glass. The Targa models were always popular but expensive and ran through the Porsche range over the decades. Porsche recently launched its new 991 Series Targa 4 and 4S to much acclaim. The new car is an unashamed, retro nod at the Targa style of the Seventies, with its polished aluminium roll over hoop. The styling has been very well received and the fully electrically operated hood, which retracts in 19 seconds, is just what the modern, hassle-free,
sporting car driver wants. But most of all, the new 991 Targa is one of the bestlooking Porsches. Ever. As most of you probably know, the values of early Porsche 911s have jumped significantly over the past two years. They have come into focus as the younger demographic enters the classic car market, able to afford the cars they wanted when they were growing up. To a forty-something, a classic car of the Seventies is spot on. Vintage cars are too ancient, as are classics of
the Fifties and Sixties. But there are precious few decent classics of the ‘70s, apart from Porsches. The Ferraris of the period, like Dinos, are too expensive; Aston V8s are too ponderous; BMW CSLs too rare; Ford Capris are okay if a bit ‘orange on the aerial’; Jaguars were too badly built and unreliable and Lambos plain scary. But now also too expensive as Countach prices have hiked some 300% in three years! Of course, the younger generation of classic car enthusiasts want even www.cpca.co.za | October/November 2014 | 5