(1990 – 1993) Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Targa (964) – Ultimate Guide
Porsche added the rear wheel drive Carrera 2 variant to the range in 1990. It was developed alongside the 964 Carrera 4, Porsche waited a year to release the Carrera 2 as a 1990 model year car. Like the Carrera 4, the Carrera 2 was available as a coupé, Targa or Cabriolet. This was the last generation Targa with traditional removable Targa roof (till 991). It is quite rare, with only 1,329 units sold over its lifetime. The Carrera 4 Targa outsold the Carrera 2 Targa by more than 200%, moving more than 3,500 units.
Overall, the Carrera 2 packed almost the same technical specifications as the Carrera 4 model. The engine was the same 3.6 liter unit which produced 250 horsepower and a maximum speed of 162 mph while the 0 to 60 mph acceleration was made in about 5.6 seconds.
The rear-engined, rear wheel drive C2 was 220 lb lighter than its C4 sibling was more fun to drive, was sportier and was considered a true successor to the Carrera 3.2 of 1984. The Coupe was (and still is) the enthusiast sports car driver’s choice, while the Targa and Cabriolet were (and still are) popular with those who want their 911 experience with some fresh air.
From the outside the Carrera 2 looks exactly like the Carrera 4 other than the obligatory ‘2’ on engine lid versus a ‘4’ for the Carrera 4. Starting in January 1990 the Carrera 2 body styles were available with a new Tiptronic (automatic) gearbox with manual override. This 4-speed Tiptronic unit got the M64/02 engine while the 5-speed manual got the M64/01 engine.
The Targa top was quite a project to take off (compared to the simple and fast cabriolet process). There are two levers in the glovebox that release the latch above the windscreen, then you need to play around inserting them before swinging them through 90 degrees. That releases the front edge. At that point you climb out and lift the entire roof section clear, with the catches at the front combining with two steel pins at the rear to secure the section. Once you’ve lifted the top clear there is an over-centre crank that gives the Targa section its shape and rigidity and allows the whole assembly to fold down, suitable for storage in the front luggage area. While the Targa is the more attractive of the two open top 964 Carrera 4s, with its rollover hoop section and classic Coupe shape, this process is enough for me to choose the coupe or cabriolet.
