1996 PORSCHE 911 TARGA
WHO? Andrew Baker OWNED SINCE 2002 TOTAL MILEAGE 64,612
‘My 25-mile commute became 200 miles through North Wales – the Porsche is that good to drive’
‘I was running a TVR at the time, which was on its third month in the garage and I wanted something a bit more reliable, so I decided to go German – I’d already owned a 928 and liked it, so when
I saw this 911 being advertised at a dealership I decided to go for it. It’s a very different driving experience to both the TVR and the 928, and even though I’ve also got another 911 – a 2014 Turbo
S – at home, the contrast between them is incredible.
‘I like the fact that the Targa’s roof system is so unusual and it’s a very easy car to drive that offers up a lot of fun. It’s the first car I’ve bought that I’ve already decided that I’m never going to sell. Despite this, it’s only just been put back on the road after eight years – its visit to the NEC was its first to a show in a very long time, after 18 months of a Porsche main dealer working on it and sprucing it up. It only came off the road because I kept buying other cars and took up cycling, and as much as I love the car, it became harder and harder to get it out of the garage – life just sort of took over! In the end I just decided I needed to get her back on the road, and ever since I got it back in August I’ve been enjoying it to the full. I work near Manchester Airport, and on my 25-mile commute home I ended up going on a 200-mile detour via North Wales just because it was so good to drive, and it performed perfectly!
‘I got involved with the Bears through shows in the North West, and this year was my 12th year at the NEC. I remember seeing the Sporting Bears at a show and being really impressed with what they do, and decided I wanted to get involved. You drive all day for three days but it’s worth it.’