The Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition is a modern Porsche 911 for the 1950s

It’s the latest 911 Targa 4S really but special paint, special graphics (the racing number 50 as shown is optional) special wheels and special interior trim all claim to make it, er, special, in a Porsche heritage sort of way.

How special? The paint is Cherry Metallic which with the gold badgework harks back to the 356 of the 1950s, the decade this first Design Edition is meant to evoke. Courtesy of bespoke division Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the graphics include motorsport-style white flashes over the front wheel arches, the wheels are five-spoke Fuchs, and the cabin is trimmed in red and beige leather with corduroy for the seats.

Heritage flourishes also mark out the Porsche crest, dial faces, key fob, wheel centres, steering wheel and brake calipers of what is otherwise a highly contemporary, twin-turbo flat-six powered, all-wheel-drive 450PS sportscar. In keeping with the theme, a manual gearbox is available for those who really want the authentic ‘50s experience, but is not obligatory.

All in all Porsche says the car is £26,000 special, with the Targa 4S Heritage Edition costing from £136,643 and due with first customers by the autumn. There’s also a Heritage Design Edition chronograph watch from Porsche Design available for an extra £10,650. Like the car, the watch is limited to a run of 992.

Many of the individual heritage elements will be available as options for any 911 later this year, but not the watch; that is for buyers of the special edition only.

“With the Heritage Design models, we are evoking memories of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s in customers and fans alike,” says Porsche chairman Oliver Blume. “No brand can translate these elements into the modern day as well as Porsche.”

Next up, expect 911 special editions that recall the ‘60s, the ‘70s and… the glorious ‘80s. Brown shagpile carpet up the doors anyone?