Returning a Hot Rod To Stock

[Larmo63]

Does anybody do this? I own an unusual color '78 Targa, and I'm thinking of going back to IB with lightweight parts. Euro rear bumper guards.

Also, the full cage roll bar is a pain in the butt to crawl in & out of all the time and the front spoiler hits ground on quite a few driveways. The stock look is really nice in this color.

[Larmo63]

Something like this is what I'm thinking, but keeping my bright trim of course.

[Larmo63]

Recent suspension work done, this is my new ride height. Should I just leave it alone?

[GH85Carrera]

The 911 is just a car. Do with it what makes you happy. Track focused cars are fun on track but usually suck for the normal day to day driving. Unless it is a modern car with a zillion HP and a few dozen computers doing the real driving from your input, but those are really pricey.

So if you don't plan on doing track days, get rid of the roll cage. Put in some creature comforts. Relax the suspension some and enjoy a more derivable car for the street.

Add up the costs to make the modifications. If it is a lot of money and work, think of selling the car as is to someone looking for that type of car, and buy what you want.

[colingreene]

I would probably start with pulling the cage out and see how you feel. Selling a caged car is always a challenge, or at least having your door bars re thought.

[Locker537]

Your car looks pretty awesome as is, so I would focus on changes that make you more excited to drive it.

[1979-930]

Ditto on loosing the full cage. I get that it probably improves the handling in a Targa.
But I would not want it around me on the street. Removing it will make an instant improvement on driver enjoyment around town.
Cages make the interior feel cramped.

If you are bored with the look then do it. But the car looks cool as is.

[Travis Neff]

I think it looks perfect as it is. The roll bar would be a pain to deal with on a street car.

[Cory M]

Swapping bumpers and removing a cage isn't that big of a deal. Do what makes you happy.

[madcorgi]

Lawrence--did you buy that car from a guy in Seattle? It looks awfully familiar.

I say ditch the cage pronto. In addition to being a pain, they are dangerous in a street car. Other than that, the car looks great.

[kent olsen]

Hard to see the roll cage in the pictures but I think I'd remove everything forward of the seats.

[OldSpool87]

I’d remove cage. If truly full cage, it would be dangerous for street driving.

[Larmo63]

Yes, the car came from Jon Bovey in Seattle. It used to have a whale tail on it too. I think the cage has to go, it's a car you wouldn't take the top off of because of the "X" bars under the targa top.

It's a well conceived and executed cage, fully gusseted and stout as hell. Yes, it's dangerous too.

[sparkysvega]

I love the color , and remove the cage .

[porsche930dude]

I say go back to ib's. its too plain and modern looking without them.

[brshap]

Just echoing the rest of the previous commenters but I think the car looks great as-is. Lose the cage, as its a PITA for a driver, and then reevaluate.

[Trackrash]

Yea, those bars over your head are not good. Those won't even pass tech at the track without serious padding.

I would leave the rear section, ie the roll bar, and the lower door bars, but cut out everything else.

[Cory M]

Originally Posted by Trackrash

Yea, those bars over your head are not good. Those won't even pass tech at the track without serious padding.

I would leave the rear section, ie the roll bar, and the lower door bars, but cut out everything else.

The bars appear to be padded with the proper SFI cage padding.

[faapgar]

If it were mine I would get rid of the seats.I have a lower side bars in my 72 Targa but I have Recaro LS seats with lower side bolsters and ingress and egress is easy.Looks like the cage is well done and is saving the chassis from too much flex.Fred

[Discseven]

Great color Lawrence!