I just drove it home - Wow!

traveler · 04:29 AM

I picked up the '87 911 Targa from Louisville this morning and just drove it home. That was just too cooooool.

I have a couple of questions (actually, I have tons of questions, but I'll start with a couple.) I noticed a lot more wind noise than I expected from the Targa top. After I got home and took the top off, I noticed that the clips along the front edge are not fully engaged in the 'folding stretcher bar thingie' (that's a technical term.) Is this likely the reason for so much wind noise? Is there something I can do about this?

Also, I ran into a couple of heavy rain squalls on the drive home and had a few drips. In reality, it was a few more than a few. Could the problem described above be the reason for this? Or do I just learn to live with a drippy top and try to keep it out of the rain as much as I can?

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

You can loosen the screws that hold the clips, open the top all the way, move the clips until they frully engage the frame, use a piece of chalk to mark the clips locations, unfold the top and resecure the clips.

When you close the doors, you should lower and raise the window so that they engage the weatherstriping. sometime they don't fully engage the weather stripping and that is a source of wind noise. Check to see if the front edge of the top is laying tight against the windshield frame. Sometime when a top is recover they don't get the front down enought and it acts as a spoiler catching the wind.

It's not going to be as quiet as a coupe but it liveable.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Do a search on targa top leaks and you'll find some threads. The bottom line is that the system is less than perfect, although if you're willing to spend some time and money you can get it pretty good.

My fix for a leaky targa top was to buy a coupe.

Congrats on the purchase. And now the addiction starts...

TMH · 09-01-2003, 03:04 PM

Congrats on your purchase - I just picked up my '87 Targa a week ago. It was only a 3 hour drive for me, but the trip out to get it sure seemed longer than the trip home!

Post a pic or 2 of your new toy.

I only took it out for the first time yesterday with the windows rolled up (needed a topping off of the freon charge, but no leaks in the system according to my wrench!) Yes, there was much more wind noise than in my coupe. And when I spoke with my wrench about driving it in the rain, he said "just always have a towel with you". I guess that you just deal with the small water leaks in this low-tech manner.

Tom

swbsam · 09-01-2003, 03:44 PM

87 is a good year, but what I had to do to get in to one.

so lets see some pics

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-01-2003, 04:04 PM

Congratulation and welcome!

On my 84, I've found that the best way to reduce windnoise is to put the top on with both doors open, sit in the car and grab both front outside edges and give it a jiggle while pull down snug. then (again on my car) I pull the pass side down first and lock, then driver. Then windows up and close the doors.

I picked up the new fiberglass top here at Pelican a month or two ago, have yet to put it together.

Good luck, and I am certainly envious of your G50.

Pics?

Shaun

traveler · 09-02-2003, 04:28 AM

OK, here are a few pics. I'll get more after this weekend.

Adam · Adam's Garage

Very, very nice!

Congratulations!

Rot 911 · 09-02-2003, 05:18 AM

If you can take a picture of the car with the top on. Preferably showing the front leading edge of the targa top. That way we can get a better ideal if it is fitting correctly.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Traveler - she's a beauty! Congrats -

Yes, make sure your clips are engaged - and you can adjust the top - there are two hex headed adjustments on each side - mine was much quieter once I snugged it down (and they tend to wiggle loose after some time).

Welcome to the club.

MonkeyBoy · 09-02-2003, 06:44 AM

Congrats - looks great. It would be helpful to other people in the market if you could also post the transaction details on this thread: How much did you buy or sell your 911 for?

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

Congratulations. That's a beautiful car!! My top does not leak, but then it does not rain much in San Diego. The only thing that I have been able to do about the noise is to turn the radio up or just leave the top off and enjoy the wind. Have fun with the new car.

greenmonster · 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MonkeyBoy
Congrats - looks great. It would be helpful to other people in the market if you could also post the transaction details on this thread: How much did you buy or sell your 911 for?

Thanks for starting that thread MonkeyBoy. It has been most helpful (better then BA's "validations") IMHO, for us guys that are looking at buying their first pcar. It's nice to see what 911's go for in the current market.

TMH · 09-02-2003, 08:08 AM

Why, its a clone of the one I bought just last week! I'll trade wheels with you - Those BBS's on mine have to go. Nothing like Fuchs on a 911.

Tom

traveler · 09-02-2003, 09:55 AM

Monkeyboy,
Thanks for the suggestion. I posted the details of the purchase.

Here are some pictures of the front edge of the Targa top.

TMH, looks like a spittin' image of mine except for the wheels. I like the Fuchs better too!

old_skul · 09-02-2003, 12:56 PM

Heh, Traveler, I *wish* my Targa front seal looked that good. Mine's a full 1/4" back from the windshield frame. Yeah, it leaks.

tomt · 09-03-2003, 10:33 PM

As you can see... my top isn't fitting all that well either. Doesn't leak though.
Rgds,
TT

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

Beautiful car, congrats...

FRED/LI · 09-04-2003, 05:02 AM

Take a look on the back side of the top. There should be a spike that points out and fits into the center of the rear bar. I had one where the point was broken off. That contributed to a looser fit at the back side. The two spikes at either rear corner should have a plastic sleeve fitted over them. This ensures a snug fit and takes out slack at the rear corners. Small items but they count.

One of the pictures shows the front edge raised a hair over the front bar. That could also grab a bit of air at speed.
Try this...leave the top in the sun so it heats up. Remove the bar clips and loosen the top fabric. Snug it up, reglue and reinstall the clips. The clips are in a sliding fitting so they move about until tightened. You'll see how to fit them into the collapsible bar.
The top leading edge should lie flush with no raised wrinkle.

But then....they all leak some.

limble · 09-04-2003, 05:19 AM

Try these longer clips. Our top leaks and comparing it to other Targas it appears that the PO didn't install the new seals properly. It will be a winter project.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/autocat/load_page.cgi?page_number=2&bookmark=6&model=911M&currsection=sunrof

Targa Top Clip "Updated Version" (sold per each, 8 req) 911 (1974-89) [Photo] M-565-265-00 $5.10