The "Targa Florio" was actually a option pack on the P76 "Super" . This model was created in mid 1974 to commemorate the stage win of a nearly standard P76 in the 1974 world cup rally . Driven by legendary Australian rally driver Evan Green the speed and ability of this 4 speed manual - V8 P76 surprised the worlds best in the "Targa Florio" stage in Sicily (Italy) . Never taken seriously and considered a "token car' by most of the professional teams , the mighty P76 thundered into first place much to the astonishment of the other teams . The "P" and its drivers were to prove their abilities and gain respect from some of the top teams during many grueling stages including the Sahara desert where the team , in true Australian tradition turned back for stricken competitors . A broken strut forced this great attempt to drive nearly 200k before getting repairs ( there was no support truck following - all the parts they could carry were in the boot ) . After a very high attrition rate the rally was shortened to help the many stricken teams a chance to get to the finish line . Eventually finishing 13th overall the P76 was one on the few cars to complete the full race distance . After the rally Leyland Australia and the team were so confident in the car that they drove the car unsupported back through a older World Cup Rally route as this provided a cheaper option to return the car to Australia . In the one rally / trip this car covered over 35,000k with only one major failure ( the broken strut ) . Even Green had a very sucessfull rally career and in '75 went on to write a book about the rally titled "A boot full of right arms" and this is a must read if you want more info about this fantastic car and the 1974 WCR .

Evan Greens book	WCR Brochure	Targa Release Photo

The "Targa Florio" model is easily identified by the "side stripes" and factory mag wheels and it is based on a V8 t-bar auto "Super" . Like the Executive this model was only offered with the standard V8 and automatic with power steering , although a very few manual versions were rumored to have been built for some Leyland staff - NO factory manual Targa has ever been confirmed from the chassis number . Air conditioning was optional and is rare on all cars including Targa's . Initially a very short run - in only one color "Omega navy" ( met Blue) was planned for these cars - but market acceptance saw the run of "Blue" Targa's balloon to about 600 , with a further 200 odd "Nutmeg" ( met Brown) with some of these being supplied with the strip set "in the boot" , and finally approx 100 Targa's were made in "Aspen Green" (met green) and some of these were also supplied with the stripes "in the boot" . Although nothing actually defines a "Targa" on the compliance plate , a check of the chassis number and engine number can go a long way to confirm the originality of a Targa . The chassis number MUST define the car as a "V8 t-bar automatic Super" , built after 6-74 . The engine number MUST define the car as having power steering and air conditioning if fitted .

Options that should be in a Targa ..

V8 motor , T-Bar auto with full console , "Targa" Mag wheels , Side stripes , Bone interior , 2 speaker AM radio , vinyl seats , loop-pile carpets , Super interior trim , Factory reclining seats , Power steering , Limited slip Differential (only P76 to have these standard ) , Super dash and badges , No map pockets in seats . If it doesn't have these - check it is really a Targa .