SC Targa to Cab conversion
 

What was the first year of SC cabs?

I have heard that converting a Carrera Targa to Cab isn't terribly difficult as the factory just added the rollbar to a cab tub and all the top pick-up points are already there.

What about an SC?

I'd like to pick up the 81 Targa that Andrew in TX has, make it a cab and put a 3.2 in it.

thoughts on good colors for cabs are also welcome.

Thanks

Shaun

'83 was the first year for factory cabs.

Actually, I think it is more correct to say the factory added a cab top to a targa tub. They even published instructions on how to make the conversion.

Thom (Widebody) did this to his '77 and has pictures on his web site.

It can be done, but if you really want a cab, and a 3.2 just buy one. Much less headaches in the long run.

Thanks Chuck, appreciate it.

Matt, it's all a question of math.

Good Carrera cab: $25K

Project cab: $9K (includes complete car resprayed (good practice for me), 3.2 and top. I've been collecting parts for years and this may be an "in the right place..." opportunity.

Best color combo for a cab? Has to be the triple black! Exotic and menacing. See for yourself ...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1069800400.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1069800425.jpg

Not trying to be argumentative, but a lot of people say this. The way the market is on SCs these days I have to wonder if it isn't more cost effective to keep the car you have (and have invested much $$$, blood, sweat, and tears) and do the cab/3.2/3.6/whatever conversion than to sell it at a huge loss and buy the car that's got all the specs you want.

I did my cab conversion in a weekend; actually I accomplished the major cutting and welding on Friday night, drove it out Saturday morning as a cab. Saturday and Sunday were spent on little adjustments and finishing off welds.

A competent person could have probably done it faster. :)

Thom,

Could this be done on an 81 Targa?

Here's the deal guys:
Complete SC in TX (less motor): $3,000
Transport: $950
Paint and such: $1000 do it myself as good prep for F/R bumpers and ducktail on the 84 Targa
Top and misc parts: $2000

I've got the 3.2, harness, everything, and a lot of vacation time.

Am I crazy?

Thom,

i saw your vintage bus site, my first drivable car was a 63 VW Crew cab pickup, fold-down bed sides. His name, Beasley.

All original, I miss him much.

Maybe not. If you are doing it for fun.

But the resulting car is not worth the same as a Carrera, it will be worth about the same as an SC. So probably not the most cost-effective way to "spend" the 3.2 you have sitting in the garage.

Your paint number is crazy low though. I spent about $1000 on paint and supplies doing my '73. If I bought cheap paint it might have been $600. But that is a false economy, the cost is all in the labor so use the best materials you can get.

Hey, it's all about fun. If you want to do it for fun go for it. Don't try it for profit.

one 0 missing on the paint, yes!

Good advice on fun vs. profit Chuck, thanks. in my old age of 36 having something like 30 cars since 15, all old junk sports cars, I've long given up the thought of making a profit, no, it's really just an addiction.

... but then there's this 72 S for $5500... if I were to...

: )

S

The top will run you $1500 (if you find a super bro deal) to $3500 (from one of the recyclers) You have to use a pre-86 top, or hack your windshield header (ugh!).

$250 (IIRC) for the mounts.

Pre-86 tops are getting hard to come by.

I'd consider trading mine for a factory hard top :)

The only way you'll make money on a cab conversion is to do the labor for $XX/hour on someone else's car.

there's a guy in FL that makes beautiful hardtops, I can't remember his name now, but very tempting to go that route.

BTW, the question of math which I think led to profiteering was to answer Matt's notion that I should just go out and buy one.

No way I can even think about laying down $25 for a nice cab, but I wouldn't blink at slow, steady investment of $10K over the winter to have a cab.

I LOVE my Targa, it's a fantastic car with 220K miles and almost everything is new except the motor, and probably my greatest achievement (sum of projects) in my "cardom," but you are always aware of the that roll bar behind you. A cab does feel different just sitting in it.

Plus, this car could be good insurance. If I ever get married, I am sure my future wife will make me get rid of one or 2 cars, so this car could be fun, good learning to paint and maybe a good Valentine's day present, and if that doesn't work, I still get to keep the "good" cars.

If it was me, I'd be more interested in a soft-window targa conversion. That would be more unique and special.

There you go, now you've got me thinking.

Shawn, I thought you ment purchasing all the parts and then a roller to do it, I didn't realize you had some of them already. As for color, there's only one choice:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1069812554.jpg

Chuck, a soft window would look good on the 77'.

I had a 1986 Cab for 10 years (traded my 951 on it when the warranty ended)It was a guards red THEFT MAGNET I,m much happier with my SC sunroof coupe it,s quieter much more solid and a smaller investment in a second car
I cut the roof off a 1966 Mustang coupe and rebuilt it as a convert using a doner car and even 2 Ford dealers and a professional appraiser with lots of experiece and credentials couldn,t tell I did it because I could and didn,t drive it much either If you really want a Cab build it if you like the work but I agree it,s not likely a money maker as it will be worth less than an authentic one I still prefer the coupe as a driver

Cabs suck.....too much sun, too much wind thru your hair.....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1069818831.jpg

Hey Matt, that's one sharp looking cab you've got there :p

Not that I have done it but that's a very straight forward thing to do and you end up with a much nicer looking car. I would strongly encourage you to do it, especially if you work with a car that is already at its low point. I personally don't care at all for the lines of the targa and the prices of targas vs. coupes reflect the fact that other people think the same.

When looking for cars I ran into a 77 that was dealer converted to a cab. Very nice job, not distinguishable from my friends true carrera cab.

I think 25k for a nice cab is steep. Here in the bay area they come up under 20k in decent shape frequently. But even then, you can build a very nice chopped targa for that.

Cheers, George

Thanks Chuck, it came from a good home.;)