Is it a coupé? Is it a convertible? Nope. It's a Targa.
Invented by Porsche in 1965, and first presented on the 911.
Here's a 911 from 1979, and here's its Italian rival from the time:
The Ferrari 328 GTS. The perfect moment for a summer drive with my head in the wind.
So today is about the Targa, or rather the Targa-roof.
Porsche first presented the Targa-concept on the IAA in 1965.
The idea was that a convertible with a fitted roll bar, would be safer. They were considering the American markets as well.
Sounds pretty solid, doesn't it? Targa means 'shield' in Italian,
but the Targa-name probably referred to the Targa Florio, the famous street rally on Sicily which Porsche had won twice in the previous years.
The name 'Targa' is also registered by Porsche, so they're the only legal users of the name.
In the first years of the Targa, it was fitted with a plastic rear window.
You could take it out as well, so you only had a roll bar fitted.
After a few years, the demountable plastic rear window got replaced by a fitted glass window.
The roof was an aluminium construction, or it still is an aluminium construction.
This one is still made of aluminium, The aluminium was covered by artificial leather.
You can fold it relatively easy, and it fits in the boot.
Right now I'm driving a 911 from 1979, the so-called G-generation, which first hit markets in 1973.
In the beginning, Porsche wanted to replace the folding roof with a fitted aluminium roof.
They reconsidered their decision very quickly, because their customers weren't waiting for something like that.
Instead, they all went for the optional 'old' folding roof.
This SC-version which I'm driving right now, actually was one of the two 911's available in 1979.
The other one being the Turbo.
That's because Porsche wanted to replace the 911 with the 928 in the higher markets,
and with the 924 in the lower markets. We all know that eventually never happened,
but Porsche didn't know at the time.
In the rear we find a 3.0-litre flat-six, producing 180 horsepower and 265 Nm of torque.
That means it certainly isn't a slouch.
It sounds good as well, especially when stationary.
It's got a nice big growl to it.
But you won't hear me say it's an incredibly quick car, because that isn't the case.
Shift back a gear... It's isn't too smooth to be honest, quite rough actually.
Shift back another gear... Then, full throttle, and when you get above 4.000 RPM,
it goes quite fast. You can go a little above 6.000 RPM,
and you'll be travelling at quite some speed. It isn't too spectacular though, not like the Turbo.
Even though Porsche has registered the 'Targa'-name, it didn't keep Ferrari from building a similar sort of car.
Let's find out what that's like.
Right then, the Ferrari 328 GTS.
Speaking of your head in the wind, I can feel it hitting my head in here.
In the Porsche the seating position was a little bit deeper, but it's like I'm laying down already in here.
It's like they're from different worlds, from what I can see around me.
Like I've said, it's like I'm laying down in these seats.
The steering position seems flat, too flat for me. Very typical.
And of course the characteristic gearbox from Ferrari.
And...
This is something else... It's much more alive, I can tell you that.
The Porsche was very solid, but impressing at the same time. It just kept buzzing around and it was quite quick as well.
But when you get in this Ferrari...
And you hear that V8 behind you...
Oof...
It doesn't just sound amazing, it goes incredibly fast as well.
And yeah, it's almost unfair to the Porsche.
I mean it's a great car and all, but I immediately find this much more impressive.
Right, let's do some background. The 328 actually is the successor, or facelifted version of the 308.
The 308 in turn was the successor to the 246 Dino, which was the first street-Ferrari with a Targa-roof.
Older viewers might recognize this car, it was the fleet car of Magnum PI, the 80's-detective.
However, that always was a 308. He never drove a 328.
You can recognize a 328 by its slightly different nose, which is similar to the Mondial, a car that was released at the same time.
Also, it has something the closed version, the GTB, didn't have:
behind me, or rather behind the side windows, are louvers. Those didn't come on the GTB.
Right. The roof construction is about the same, except that Porsche's roof is foldable and storable.
But in here it's a solid unit which you simply put behind the front seats, which leaves you no space at all.
Of course, Porsche still offers a tiny rear seat,
but in here it's all clogged up when you have your roof in the back.
This car is designed by Leonardo Fioravanti at Pininfarina.
To be honest, I've always thought this was one of the best looking Ferrari's of all time.
Maybe because it's a car from my childhood...
It does have wheels that are a tad too small, but other than that...
It really is a beautiful, well-balanced design.
Like I've already said in the beginning, driving this is really different when compared to the Porsche.
It's got 270 horsepower and over 300 Nm of torque. It's a V8, with four valves per cylinder.
328 stands for 3.2-litre 8-cylinder engine.
It's got a 100 horsepower more than the Porsche, and that's something you really notice.
That sound really is fantastic...
That alone is enough to forgive it its other flaws. Like I mentioned before; the steering wheel is too flat,
you're lying down, changing gears doesn't go too smoothly either...
The pedals are too far to the right. They're hanging pedals by the way,
the Porsche has standing pedals, which requires some getting used to.
Then, concluding; the choice.
I think I might've spilled the beans already...
First of all, I think both cars are amazing.
Both designs really are iconic.
The Porsche drives fantastic, it's built incredibly solid. Even more than the Ferrari.
But you can probably tell by the enormous smile on my face; if I had to choose...
It would be the Ferrari. No doubt.