'78 Lightweight Targa Backdate Thread

[Nux]

I know there're a lot of backdate threads out there. But most seem to be very expensive and time consuming builds which takes years to complete. Very admirable!

So I thought I might contribute with a slightly different approach. And besides, there are not too many Targa backdates - not like this anyway

Background: This is my first Porsche 911 project. I'm an ENT surgeon, so quite used to getting my hands dirty - usually though, it's a different colour. I know the Targa has a little bad rep, but I have learned one important thing in my years as a physician: If you need a '78 Porsche 911 Targa in your life - then go get it, you never know......

So: I have no garage, no other tools than basic wrenches, no Porsche knowledge besides Pelican, four kids, no spare time and no other daily driver (live in the City). Just perfect

Picked up a '78 Targa in September 2015 in Stockholm, Sweden:



Paint job was very bad. Some rust issues. Interior not too good. But engine recently rebuild to 3,2 Max Moritz with 964 cams, with a matching recent rebuild 915 gearbox.

I'm absolutely in love with the late 60's R racers. And really like to drive with the Targa top off. And quite liking the whole lightweight idea. So what to do? Well after endless reading on Pelican and similar sites for backdate threads, I finally had my game plan:

1. Rolling project. I want to drive it during the transition.
2. Not a garage queen! Make it cheep and quick.
3. Lightweight baby! Glasfiber and stripped interior.
3. R-front, haven't seen that on a Targa before.
4. Chrome is nice! Mix up classy with a little race-feel.
5. It's not a track monster - then I should have bought a coupé.

Well, fast forward 6 Months, 5000$, approx 280lbs weight loss and a lot of late work hours later:



No where near finished yet. Still has no real paint. But it's drivable and very much enjoyable . Pics of process and details to follow.

[bhmkv]

I like where this is going!

[klausen]

This car looks great! I'll be watching.

72 Targa

[Ayles]

Awesome! Looks fantastic, can you share what fiberglass parts you are using? I have a hot rod targa as well and its a blast to drive.

[stf996]

Beautiful. I wouldn't paint it.

[Nux]

Well I'm based in Northern Europe. Initially I got a quote from Rennspeed. Fast reply, cheap prices, nice website, good reputation. Really all good - but with shipping, taxes (25%) and the pain of getting it through customs was too much for me. Ended up with parts from Rosepassion (French Company). More of that later...

I startet out by stripping the interior:



In case you wonder: Yes that is 130lbs worth of Porsche interior in my backyard 😁

[mjshira]

Cool project

[archtech]

more pics!! please! are the pics not loading? I know there was a problem...

[Nux]

pics still not loading.....

[Sebscst]

Congrats you did what i wanted to do two years ago. Backdate and still use the car daily. R front looks great. More pics.

[Nux]

Pics are loading again

So this is where it all started: In the backyard



130lbs worth of interior incl. spare tyre. The back seats + sound deadening material was really surprisingly heavy!



Interior stripped and painted as I went for a bare metal look in some places. As I wanted to keep the weight down and cost minimum I opted for home made interior linings in the back as well as home made seats. Weight = 1kg total. Sound deadening = 1dB total

[Nux]

Early x-mas present: RS style seats, 8kg (17,6lbs) each



And test fitting



Back interior is coming together. Good thing I have excellent sewing skills

[Nux]

One of the few garage days - fixing kidney bowl rust and learning to weld.




Now the real work started. Back end first. Is it possible to change the rear bumper in your parking cellar? The answer is yes



It really does change the appearance of the car a lot! And removes nearly 40lbs (18kg) of metal from the rear end!



Oh, and I went for all black Fuchs. Maybe I'll change that though.

[Nux]

Should I go for "Normal" RS front end?

As I previously mentioned, I really adore the late 60's R models and have watched a few amazing backdate threads from fellow Pelicans, turning their G-models into gorgeous R-replicas. Never seen the look on a Targa though. Also, it seems that the Targa design really does not work well with racing stripes ,or an all-out racinglook at all. For a moment I did consider painting the car like the old Dutch and Belgian Police cars (tangerine racing stripe on white Targas) - but I didn't like the look.

http://www.flickriver.com/photos/36640154@N04/7667842044/

So the x-mas present for my self came from Rosepassion (Rose Passion - Vente de pièces neuves pour Porsche, pièces détachées, sport, catalogue, 356, 911, 912, 914, 924, 928, 944, 964, 968, 993, 996, 997, Boxster, Cayman, Cayenne). And for a day or two I had a complete porsche R front end in my living room in my apartment

[Nux]

Is it possible to change the entire front end in your underground parking cellar? Again the answer is yes . Will it hurt your knees? Yes - it will destroy your knees. :roll eyes:





Actually I must admit, it was a lot more work than first anticipated....but managed to get it together in two working nights in my Porsche "Laboratory"



Fitting those lights took forever! And it's still not too good.....

[Nux]

20 min with a white primer spray can - and suddenly I'm able to get an idea of the final look.

[Nux]

Next up was a clean-up of the targa bar. Like the stainless steel look much better than coloured. And since I removed the white headlamp ring to expose the chrome one underneath, I changed the flag-style mirrors to Talbot style chrome ones instead. Got my side window frames chrome plated and bought door handles to match:

[Nux]

So the look is somewhat a mix between a classic 60's and R and late 70's Targa I guess. Side blinkers are temporary - I think....





I really don't know about those hood latches. They are starting to look like a German Schnuurbart to me....should I move them further out lateral? Remove for hood pins? Nothing?



Maybe it would be a cleaner look with no latches or pins at all? But I like the race-look . Maybe it's not suited for a Targa

[obscene]

nice work! how was it fitting the fiberglass panels?

[Nux]

Thanks 😀. It's easy but quite labour intensive. And modifying the fitting towards the doors as well as fittings for headlights seems mandatory in every thread I've read. Mine too. But if I can do it in a parking lot, then everybody can 😎