Baur Targa: 1983 BMW 323i

The '75-'83 BMW 3-Series Baur Targa is a strange intersection of BMW E21 handling/driving goodness with a unique convertible/targa styling...and I've gotta admit that I'm really not an expert on these wild looking things, but they guys over at Baurspotting can give you the full details of how Karosserie Baur would hack the top off a new BMW 3-series and offer a unique and safe alternative to the ragtop. Not many were built and not many remain, but they are still cheap.  Find this 1983 BMW 323i Baur Targa offered for $6,500 in Clovis, CA via craigslist.

Roll The Dice: 2002 Porsche 911 Targa

A rear engined Porsche is iconic, collectible, and desirable in just about any configuration -- even the detestable 912 is priced like some kind of ancient Ming Dynasty vase. So the real question is --how do you get a cheap rear engine Porsche that you could (maybe?) drive without breaking the bank.  You gotta ask yourself, do you feel lucky?  Well...do ya...punk?  Find this 2002 Porsche 911 Targa here on eBay bidding for $8,445 with 3 days to go, located in Los Angeles, CA.

Attention To Detail: 1974 Porsche 914

A few years ago we featured the reader ride of a guy named KC who built this incredible Toyota Twin-Cam powered MGB GT and it was glorious.  Apparently KC built another car with an above average attention to detail -- this time a Porsche 914 with an underside that is cleaner than a newborn in a fresh pair of Pampers.  Find this 1974 Porsche 914 here on eBay bidding for $11,300 with 6 days to go, located in Mosier, OR.  Seller submission from KC.

Carl Sagan's PHOBOS: 1970 Porsche 914

The world is an interesting place with a lot of random coincidences happening all the time, but sometimes it just seems like the cosmos are messing with my head.  Last week on the DT Radio Show we interviewed Mark Brems, who has a cool electric converted Porsche 914 that was (among other things) used as a stand-in for Carl Sagan's Porsche 914...well, wouldn't you know it..but now the real PHOBOS is for sale.  Find this 1970 Porsche 914 here on eBay bidding for $7,900 reserve-not-met located in Melbourne, FL via craigslist.

Auction Watch: 1980 Porsche 911 Targa Electric

Take a look at this 1980 Porsche 911 Targa Electric here on eBay bidding for $5,200 reserve-not-met with auction ending Sunday at 8AM pacific time.

A Trio of Targas: 1977, 1980, 1985 Porsche 911

The asking prices for aircooled Porsche 911s have been through the roof in recent years, but the late 70s examples are (still) the cheapest way to get into a Stuttgart stallion.  In California that might change if the smog test exempt cutoff year changes from 1975 to 1980, and those 1976-1980s cars might look more tempting than the early 80s examples, so now might be a good time to pick one up. Here are a few cars from the same seller -- find this 1977 Porsche 911S Targa for $29,000, this 1980 Porsche 911 SC Targa for $28,500 or this 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa offered for $45,000 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

Targa Acquired? 1976 Volkswagen Beetle

For years the 911 Targa was a less desirable Porsche, purists despised it for the floppy chassis, questionable weather protection in the best of conditions, and awkward styling -- but with the recent revival of the Targa, it seems that they are cool now.  Hey, I can go with times, the kids like that Rock and/or Roll music, I'm hip, I can boogy, swing my hips -- but I can't afford 100 grand on a Porsche -- what about this 1976 Volkswagen Beetle Targa custom offered here on thesamba for $10,500 located in Anderson, SC. Tip from Rod444.

2-Seater Targa: 1986 Jaguar XJ-SC

The Jaguar XJS was built, in what can only be described as an extraordinary 20 year run, from 1976 through 1996.  Sure, the chassis received some improvements, the engines had to be continuously upgraded to meet emissions/performance requirements, and the styling was evolved -- but at the end of the day, it's easy to mistake a '96 for a '76.  Today's XJS is a rare example of the '86 and '87 model year only "Laundaulet" example that looks something like a Baur Targa, but was called the XJ-SC.  Find this 1986 Jaguar XJ-SC offered for $2,450 in Chatsworth, CA via craigslist.

5k: Aftermarket Targa: 1973 Triumph GT6 Mk III

 The Triumph GT6 was in its third revision (Mk III) in the early 1970s and the Giovanni Michelotti designed fastback was still going strong.  Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the GT6 was canceled before emissions and safety regulations turned it into a joke and 1973 was the last year for the inline-6 powered fastback from Coventry.  Find this 1973 TRIUMPH GT6 Mk III here on eBay currently bidding for $6,700 reserve-not-met with a few hours to go, located in Ashtabula, OH.

Mid Week Match-Up: Targa California Car

It is Wednesday so that means another time for a Mid Week Match-Up (TM)!  Last we we found the best car to stick it to the man on tax day, but the number of suggestions paled in comparison to the previous week's family car for Gianni feature.  Anyway, tomorrow marks the starting gun of the 2015 Targa California, so for the feature today we are looking for the best cars for a Targa event -- no price limit.

10k: The Full Baur Targa: 1980 BMW 320 E21 Baur TC1

The Baur Targa was a Lancia Beta Zagato lookalike that featured a folding soft top in the back and a targa-style soft roof above the driver/passenger.  The result is convertible fun in the sun while retaining chassis rigidity and safety by keeping an intact B-pillar roll hoop.  The Baur Targa cars came from a time when BMW didn't offer the 3 Series in drop top and the modifications were done by Karosserie Baur when new, maintaining a factory BMW warranty.  Find this 1980 BMW 320 E21 Baur TC1 offered for $12,900 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

15k: Fun To Weight Ratio: 1976 Porsche 911 S Targa

The classic Porsche 911 needs no introduction. The ultimate descendent of the VW Beetle has become a icon in its own right.  The prices for the early classic rear engined examples have skyrocketed to ridiculously inflated numbers, but if you are patient you can find a deal once in a blue moon.  Find this 1976 Porsche 911 S Targa offered for $16,000 in Longview, TX via craigslist.

10k: Great Deal If Real: 1984 Porsche 911S

 Sometimes craigslist feels like an underground fake goods market buried deep in the shopping district of an ancient metropolis.  Everywhere you turn brigands, cut-throats and thieves swarm upon you like ants to spilled honey.  Post up an ad and the first hits will be phishers, reply to an ad with a good price and the same scumbag might be at the end of the email. Even adverts with phone numbers are not exempt as anybody can get a free google voice number for your local area code and the game is a foot.  Unfortunately, this means that any cars with prices that seem to go to be true...well..they aren't true, but somewhere in the mix are legitimate good deals, such as this 1984 Porsche 911S offered for a very reasonable $8888 via craigslist in the SF Bay Area...maybe.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

Scruffy Trio: BMW E30 Baur Targa, E21 Baur Targa & 2002

This next feature could be a good deal for someone looking for a project, or it could be a total waste of time from a seller who thinks he has some kind of rare artifacts for sale.  The problem is that the seller doesn't list a price, but the collection of cars certainly look cool - lets play spot the cool stuff.  Find this scruffy trio, a BMW E30 Baur Targa, E21 Baur Targa and 2002 offered for an undisclosed price somewhere in the San Fernando Valley, CA.  Tip from Einhander.

15k: Target Acquired: 1979 Porsche 911 Targa SC 3.0

The 1978-1983 Porsche 911 SC is one of the more affordable rear-engined Porsches on the market and offers a much better bang per buck than the earlier versions.  This was the time when Porsche introduced its front V8 powered 928 GT car that was supposed to eventually replace the aging beetle descendant; but the 911 showed resilience that outlasted its gadget filled new brother.  Find this 1979 Porsche 911 Targa SC 3.0located in Portland, OR and bidding for $13,500 with 6 days to go.  Tip from Michael B.

10k: Tank Top: 1982 BMW 320/6 Baur Targa

From 1978-1982 Karosserie Baur modified roughly 4500 versions of BMW's E21 3-series into a semi-topless fauxvertible.  Some describe the transformation as making the E21 resemble the villain Bane from the latest Batman movie, while others are more critical of the aesthetics.  Find this 1982 BMW 320is Baur Targa for sale in Sacramento, CA for $11,000 via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

10k: Check Your Bilirubin: 1969 Porsche 912 Targa

If you think of the Porsche 912 as a slow 911 it seems pointless, but define it as a prettier 914 and suddenly things get better. You could even call it a good-looking well-built Beetle or a 356 with better handling if you really want to mix things up...but don't get your sweater-vest in a knot with all these crazy ideas.  Find this 1969 Porsche 912 Targa for sale in Phoenix, AZ.  Update 11-21-2013: There have been a bunch of bid cancelations and sketchy stuff going on with this auction.  Caveat emptor.