The birth of the Signal Orange Soft Window Targa!!!

[82SC]

Well KevinP53 is at it once again. Producing another beaut...

The pictures don't do it justice...

We'll have to think of a nice nickname to go along with the BB2, Blue Bomber, Gray Wolf

After seeing the car getting sprayed I am so glad I chose Orange instead of keeping it silver. Looks fantastic.

I scored some parts for the soft rear window, and they are on a UPS truck on the way to AI (Automotive Innovations) for fitting and welding of the brackets. Which Kevin will expertly do as well.

Also want to take this opportunity to plug Kevin's shop...I am sure we've all heard good things from Jack Olsen's saga...I'd just reiterate that Kevin is a great guy to work with. I actually found a cheaper shop that did some amazing work on mostly Japanese import cars...but I am glad I went with AI. Kevin is a true 911 enthusiast, and went to painstaking effort to make sure we were spraying the car in TRUE Signal Orange...using the exact formula when it came out of the factory. He's been great about letting me store the car at his shop while my garage was cluttered with the SC getting its 964 cams, and been patient when I was going through the jitters of plunging into the abyss of "911 Restoration"

Well look out for more updates. I will try to document the Soft Window backdate on this chassis for future reference and copycats ...I've done extensive research on the parts needed. Don't expect a BB2 12 week whirlwind project. I am in this project for the long haul.

Someone has already shown interest in buying the car when it is done...but I doubt it. Hopefully it will be up at R-Gruppe in the next couple of years. Try to be one of the first soft rear hotrods.

MAN that orange is sexy

MJ

[Wayne 962]

I'm glad this car is finally getting the attention it deserves!

-Wayne

[Tim Walsh]

is this the free tub you gave away wayne?

[82SC]

yup...if you search for "free targa" there is the whole history of this car

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Beautiful..

I always wanted a black soft window on steel wheels with hubcaps.

[82SC]

you mean like this one??
SWB though but it does have the steel wheels

I have it on my desk as inspiration

it is mini-me version...funny it was released right around the time I put up a poll about color choices and decided on orange on this BBS

maybe Stuttgart is checking this board out more then we thought

[Tim Walsh]

82, you've got keep us posted on it's progress

[jpnovak]

Looks great. Glad to see another one almost back on the road.

Where did you get the soft-window hardware? I need the hoops and misc hardware. I have the handles and brackets. I have been chasing parts for the conversion to my 71 for about 2 years now.

Question for Kevin.. Why didn't the latch panel/nose get painted? Just curious.

Jamie

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by jpnovak

Question for Kevin.. Why didn't the latch panel/nose get painted? Just curious.
Jamie

I just haven't gotten that far yet. I'll do that when I do inside the front.

[Soterik]

VERY interested in your progress on the conversion....I have the pieces to do a soft window conversion (I think...), and it's something that I may do in the next year. Please do a photo-document on the complete changeover....

Car looks great so far.....! Nice color.

Eric

[82SC]

I will post pic when I get the parts in...

the hardest parts are the handles...the hoops I think can be made easily if you have the right measurements...

I know a guy with a complete set ready to go for 1200 (that is without the vinyl window) (let me know if you want contact info)

look in the classifieds and there is a guy route66kix I think or something like that that has parts too...

but I'd say if you have handles that is all you need...

I'll describe what I've found in words, and post pictures (which will probably be much better) as soon as I can

so pretty much there are 2 hoops
one is a 2 piece that connects in the middle and the other is a one piece U. the 2 piece allows it to be taken apart so the hoops can be slid into the vinyl window.

one hoop attaches to the roll bar via the tensioning handles

the other hoop attaches to rear of the chassis via 3 brackets and 3 eyehole bolts (they look like a pingpong paddle with a hole in the paddle and threads on the handle). These are screwed into the hoop. The eyehole is lined up in the brackets and bolt is put through that.

that is pretty much it. The window is zipped up and the tensioning handles are closed to pull the window taunt....reverse for lowering the window

a soft boot cover covers the whole thing via those button snap thingies

Parts Obsolete is the only place I know that makes the vinyl window. They have a guy custom make each order from an original pattern. It costs a little under 400 and 2 weeks to make

I will try to get measurements for the hoops.

And please don't expect this project to go full steam ahead...I am a starving students that neglects his school work too much as it is...
the wishes to see it on the road soon are too much pressure!!!

But I am excited to start putting this car together...

First priority is to get the soft window fitted because the brackets need to be welded

then electrical
then full SC suspension
debating SC or 930 brakes

I have most of those parts at home waiting...

then the big money is sport seat (1900), engine/tranny (4K)
then if I want to hotrod it a bit...I don't even want to think about that yet

[Soterik]

Well, I've got the handles, hoops, and also the inside liner of a soft window targa rollbar (evidently it's different from a hardwindow).

So, at this point I am missing the 3 hold downs for the rear of the chassis. Perhaps when you do the pics, you can show a pic of those items prior to and after mounting?? Sounds like it's similar to the convertible top rear section of a 356.

Do the hoops bolt into anything at the ends of the hoops?, like a pivot or something?

Thanks,

Eric
73S targa....unfinished, and rear window out.....

[82SC]

parts arrived at Kevin's...gonna try to make time next week to get up there to check it out... will update you all then...

MJ

BTW I've decided on a nickname for the car...it will be Little SOB

Signal
Orange
Bastard

Signal Orange for obvious reasons...

Bastard since it will be a compilation of ideas from all over...73 chassis, SC suspension, 69 soft rear targa....maybe go green faces in modern guages...

I want to take the best of what Stugartt had to offer from 65-83 and make my ultimate car
(Kevin I am wishing I found a '72 oil tank setup...arggg...but then again it is a shame to cut up such a nice chassis...maybe in 20 years when it needs a freshening up paintjob)

Plus Little and Bastard pays hommage to James Dean's 550 one of my all time favorite cars "Lil Bastard"

SOB for obvious reasons...

so call it SOB, call it Arnge Bastard (with a southern twang), call it hideous, call it what you want...

but it is my "Lil SOB"

[makaio]

MJ, I missed this post intially, but glad I found it. Can't wait to see it on the road.

[Jack Olsen]

I saw it very briefly today. It is going to be a really beautiful... little SOB.

[69 Soft Targa]

Great to see it comin' along!

The window is also available at a few other places. Stoddards for one.

I noticed an ebay 'needs restoration' soft window was purchased by Parts Obsolete a while back. Possibly a '68 or '69 912. Gary once told me he prefers the softback Targa. Curious about what's happenin' with that one.

Eric,
Gary may have all the info you need. Will you be there this year?

[82SC]

thanks guys...once it is done anyone with a pelican screen name is welcome for a ride!!!

check out this pic BBSer Maxnine11 did...making me drool



and here is a thread about a question I had about steel wheels on top of 930 calipers

Steel Wheel and 930 brakes???

BTW in an article a few years back Alois Ruf had 3 personal use cars...a porsche-mb build 500E (one of the best cars I've ridden and driven); and a forest green soft back targa...I forget the last one...

I see great minds think alike...

[Wayne 962]

Status report?

-Wayne

[82SC]

preparing for my Step I Board exams...ugggg...

maybe kevin will post...we are working on restoring the soft rear window parts

MJ

[thethrill]

Nice ride! I am partial to SW targa's as I too have an orange SW targa. If you have any Q's on SW parts or installation, let me know. Now all you need is a stealth cage so it has the torsional rigidty of a coupe! Good luck!

Will