After Matchbox’s recent disappointment of a 911 Targa, I thought it was the perfect time to take a look at a model that does a far better job of giving the 911 Targa the treatment it deserves. This is the MiniGT Porsche 911 Targa. I admit, a piece about how nicely detailed and well executed a MiniGT model is might as well be an essay about how the sky is blue, but hey – it’s a very pretty blue sky.
Though this color would be more accurately described as Gentian Blue Metallic, a dark and classy blue with lots of metal flake that really pops in the light. This shade of paint actually looks a bit too dark, as the Gentian Blue on the 1:1 911 Targa pops more. The dark paint really helps the silver Targa roof bar pop! This model easily highlights how glaring Matchbox’s omission of silver roof bar detailing is, as it’s the defining styling element of this car.
These silver five spoke wheels may be some of the simpler wheels in the 911 range, but I think they fit this car’s style perfectly and the color contrasts nicely with the dark blue paint. MiniGT’s decision to have the roof off on the Targa gives this model that iconic Targa shape, helping to differentiate it from the other 911s in MiniGT’s range.
The front end of this 911 Targa is pretty basic, lacking even the radar cruise control sensor. It’s rather unusual for a diecast model to replicate a low-spec version of a car, but at least this Targa gets detailed turn signals and a miniscule Porsche badge on the hood. While I appreciate the clear headlight lenses, these lights are less detailed than I’ve come to expect from MiniGT, with Porsche’s signature “4 dot” DRLs nowhere to be seen.
Luckily, the rear of the 911 Targa is every bit as great as a MiniGT should be. The thin red lightbar looks great and has the kind of depth and contrast that you can only get from having the lightbar be a separate piece. I’m a sucker for the twin vertical third brake lights – it’s just such a clever styling element. The quad exhaust tips look great, with silver detailing to make them pop, though I can’t fathom the lack of a license plate on the back of this car. Even the $1 Matchbox version gets a license plate! I know some collectors may prefer the cleaner look, but I believe license plates add a huge amount of realism to a model.
The Targa’s interior is nicely modeled (as it needs to be, being a convertible), though a few bits of printed detailing like BBR models have would go a long way toward making this interior pop more. I appreciate the instantly recognizable Porsche steering wheel and sport-chrono clock on the dash.
Overall, this MiniGT provides a nice, relatively affordable alternative to the cheaper but under-detailed Matchbox 911 Targa. I wish the color had been a bit brighter to better replicate the real car, but it’s a nice model and its more muted color will provide a nice contrast to the brighter Porsches in my collection.
Want to see more MiniGTs? Check out the rest of my MiniGT features! This brand is a rapidly growing part of my collection and I already have a few more models coming soon!
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