Chuck Kissel Honoring John Bell. This memory involves a mad frenzy rush to resurrect this 1967 Porsche 912 Soft Window Targa by getting it pieced back together and operational to take John Bell (the Porsche’s previous owner) out on this Porsche’s ‘first’ ride, which would ultimately be the last project car John would experience and enjoy. This car went through an 11-month project to resurrect the 1967 Porsche 912 Soft Window Targa by replacing rear floors, rebuilding the engine and transaxle, sourcing and reupholstering the interior, piecing it back together (replacing donor 1968 parts with 1967 parts), and most importantly, making it operational. Fortunately, John was able to get a ride in this Porsche while listening to George Jones tunes which was lasting playing when John drove the car around Long Beach, CA (the cassette tape was still in the radio) before disassembly. The memory concludes just a few months later with the passing of John and the Porsche taking its ‘second’ drive from Buena Park, CA to Bakersfield, CA for a turn-around trip to attend John Bell’s funeral, the visionary behind this 1967 Porsche 912 Soft-window Targa. This Porsche parked out front of the church drew a lot of comments from family and friends asking if it really was John’s Porsche sitting out front. John’s son, Dillon was taken for a reminiscent ride after the service. Dillion drove the car only a few times early on before John disassembled for restoration. A special thank you to “Crazy Joe” at Crazy Joe’s Eurocars in Whittier for rebuilding the engine and transaxle in a short period of time, and Brian Farmer at Einmalig LLC in Huntington Beach for assisting a new Porsche enthusiast in securing desperately needed 1967 912 OEM parts, and many others that helped along the way to make this memory achievable. The memory of John Bell lives on with every drive and car show this Porsche ‘Softy’ makes an appearance. Rebirth. This 1967 Porsche 912 original Soft Window Targa was purchased by John Bell with the intent of a full restoration. John had a keen eye for purchasing unique non-matching, non-popular vehicles at the time he was looking, and this 1967 912 Targa Porsche was no different. John purchased this car at a time when Porsche 912s were being parted and discarded as collectors favored 356s and 911s.This Porsche sports spray-painted black which covers a Tangerine paint-over, and ultimately hides its original Bahama Yellow below. John completely disassembled the car, was optimistic for a relatively quick restoration so left it outside in the elements. Unfortunately, before any major restoration could commence, John fell terminally ill. In 2014, Chuck Kissel (current owner) purchased the car consisting of about two trailer loads, consisting of a chassis and mostly 1968 912 parts (which were more readily available than 1967). The car went through an 11-month project to resurrect this 1967 Porsche 912 Soft Window Targa by replacing the rear floors, rebuilding the engine and transaxle, sourcing and reupholstering the interior, piecing it back together (swapping out most 1968 parts for 1967 parts), and most importantly, making it operational. In 2024, Chuck is determined to complete John’s vision to restore this rare special vehicle to its original 1967 Bahama Yellow (with Black Leatherette interior) Porsche 912 Soft Window Targa stature.