Targa to Cab conversion on SWB?

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

Fellas, been thinking of doing this and was wondering if it would work on/for SWB cars? Currently have been emailing w/pelicanite about a top he has that is aftermarket company. See pics, will this simply bolt onto my car once targa bar is removed? I already see one problem as there are no pin holes on my windshield frame for those pins next to the targa hooks.

I have searched archives and have already read about the structure/rigidity issues and all the other issues regarding why not to do this. and I still want to do it.

any thoughts? $$$ is not in the budget right now to sell mine and get a cab. A few thousand to convert however is as I can funnel that out of the accounts without the CFO (wife) knowing.

thanks as always.

joe 68 L

sfmlaw17 · 10-04-2004, 10:10 AM

I think that it will work. The top and rear window are the same for the targa in early and later years. But, don't think that you can get out of this for a few thousand. The top purchase will be a few thousand, yes. But then you will have to chop the targa bar, weld the the holes and the new brackets to the door pillars. You will have to weld a new flange (for lack of a better word) to the top of the quarter panel to seal the top. Then, the whole thing has to be painted.

If you can do this yourself, then the price is right on. If you have to pay someone else weld and paint, it will be a bit more expensive. It is a great project though, I speak from experience.

A thought though. Why not have the best of both worlds and do a conversion to a soft top targa? They look great, will definitely work with a SWB and provide the exact same open air ride that a cab will. I am not trying to talk you out of it like some tried with me, I think it would be a great project. If you need any advice with either, let me know. I am sure that you have looked at Thom's web sight as well. If not definitely go there, his escapades inspired me.

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

I researched the soft window and I thought that would turn out to be MORE expensive. I think I can get everything I need for 1500. I can do most of the labor (I can't weld but think I have someone who would have no problems if it was needed). I printed out the conversion manual from vintagebus.com. Is this the ONLY way? There are no aftermarket co's that have a bolt in model? I am sure there aren't but a guy can dream right? What is Thom's website?

sfmlaw17 · 10-04-2004, 10:58 AM

You were at Thom's site. It is Vintagebus. $1500.00 for a top in very good condition isn't bad at all. Just make sure the top is in very good condition, because they are very expensive to replace and really cannot just be fixed adequately. It is almost cheaper to buy a whole new top than to just replace the rear plastic window from what I understand. Also, is the seller including the mounting brackets and seals?

I wouldn't have thought that conversion would be more, but I am not surprised.

No, no quick and easy ways to convert. There is a company that sells removeable hardtops, but the work is very much the same in terms of the chopping process and welds. Then you would have to paint the top as well.

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

you know what kills me is that i should really just take the targa bar and rear window off and be done! the car NEVER sees rain. If it rains and I am out I just throw my waterproof top/cover on and wait it out wherever I am. Has worked for me for 4 years now. Problem is that during parts of the year (now) it is really REALLY cold in the morning and then hot in the afternoon. Can have a 40 degree swing. In the mornings I put windows up and heat on (no top) and it stays warm in the cabin. If it was wide open I would freeze. Oh well.

joe 68 L

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

This is not the normal top mount bolt pattern. Where did this top come from?

You need to make sure the new top mates up with your windshield correctly, and that you have the proper top mounts to weld to the B pillar.

For a fair weather driver, I don't see why you couldn't lop off the bar and trim the edge out nicely with some appropriate fabric and be done with it.

sfmlaw17 · 10-04-2004, 11:36 AM

This picture is from Paul's Exotics. They sell the hardtops that I referred to earlier. They are $3,200. But look at this picture. They just cut the top and filled it in, without a soft top. This might work well for you and in the future you could add the hard top without a soft top. I have thought of this too. What do you think? It would be easy to do.

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

I was actually going to take it a step further! I was going to buy a boot and just slap that sucker on there and call it done! Wasn't even going to address the gaping holes that the targa bar left! Outta sight outta mind.

You see, here is the predicament: I love my car, but it is a driver. I drive it everyday that rain is not in forecast from April 15th to November 15th. As I stated, I love my car. We are one. I know every inch of it's sporto system, I know it's faults, I know it's capabilities. I don't want to get rid of her and quite frankly don't think I could recoup half of what I have in her. But I have always wanted a cab too. I thought I could blend all this into a cab/conversion thus creating a pretty neat, unique car. I just can't have no top at all as I would freeze.

joehahn · joehahn's Garage

It would be cool:

sfmlaw17 · 10-04-2004, 01:03 PM

It would give it an old Speedster look. I like it. Just keep the non-flared fenders and chrome trim. Chop the top and cover with black carpet until you can get a hardtop. Stay out of the rain and snow.

Really, the hard top does look nice and would be easy to install. Also it would give you some rigidity when it is on. It is pricey and I have never seen one in person though. The top in the picture does look odd compared to mine. I bought a later model top though and had to weld the windshield bracket for roller latches.