We feel very lucky to have found this remarkable 911. Just one owner from new and only 27,235 miles, with a detailed maintenance history and a wonderfully individual specification. Originally supplied by OPC Reading in March 2009 at a cost of around £90,000, this second generation 997 Targa 4 S with PDK transmission has a specification that was clearly considered with individuality in mind. We’ve certainly never seen anything quite like it. Starting with the exterior, Ruby red metallic was a choice from the ‘Special Exterior Colours’ palette. Its character changes with the light, from deep, rich red to a warm, almost orange glow, beautifully accentuating the wide, curvaceous rear arches of this all-wheel-drive 911. The 19-inch Carrera Sport alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with dynamic cornering lights, quad exhaust tailpipes and signature rear light strip add to its distinctive appearance. Specified with the Sport Chrono Package Plus, offering a choice of driving settings with sharper throttle response, sportier PDK gear changes and firmer suspension damping, plus an extra kick from the Sports exhaust system. Inside, the individuality continues. The two-tone black and Stone Grey full leather interior works particularly well, complemented by Sports seats with the Porsche crest embossed on the headrests. Aluminium detailing on the handbrake lever and PDK gear selector adds another finishing touch. We’ve also brought the in-car technology up to date with a Kenwood touchscreen media system, incorporating Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and DAB digital radio. And then, of course, there’s the Targa roof. The sliding glass panel transforms the experience at the touch of a button. The result is coupe comfort with a generous helping of open-air motoring. It’s a combination that gives the Targa a character all of its own. Accompanied by a substantial folder of invoices and receipts, this 911 has clearly been well cared for throughout its life. With 12 stamps in the service book and just 7,000 miles covered over the last decade, its low mileage certainly hasn’t meant a lack of attention. Our own preparation has been equally thorough, addressing some of the important maintenance items that can be overlooked on these cars. Work includes replacement of the front coolant pipes, exhaust bolts and air conditioning condensers, together with a PDK oil change and new spark plugs. We also made the decision to have the car professionally repainted in its original Ruby red metallic. Rather than simply addressing the inevitable cosmetic imperfections accumulated over the years, we felt this exceptional 911 deserved a more comprehensive approach. The result has absolutely justified the investment. The colour is now every bit as spectacular as it deserves to be, complemented by refurbished alloy wheels and a thoroughly refreshed interior. As good as it looks in the photographs, this is a Porsche that really needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated. With 385 hp from its naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six, a top speed of 185 mph and the reassurance of all-wheel drive, there’s plenty of performance to accompany those fabulous looks.