Was there a manual for converting to a soft window targa...

[joehahn]

...like the cabriolet conversion? I have been told now that a cabriolet conversion would not only be difficult but it would cost a fortune on an early (1968) car. I now drive my kids frequently too so I guess I would rather have that targa bar there for protection so I am now turning to the soft window. Looks like all the parts can be had for approx. $1500 or so. Is the conversion simple (read: idiot proof). The cab conversion was NOT.

thanks

joe 68 L

[jpnovak]

It was in the factory manual. I will see if I can find the pages. I have copies of them somewhere. there are a few tabs that you will need if you want to do the conversion. I don't know if your 68 has them installed or not. 82SC on the board is doing a conversion on his 73. I have most of the parts to do my 71. stay tuned.

[82SC]

well there is an official way to go from glass to soft

I am in the process of going glass to soft

80% of the battle is finding pieces...
what you need
2x two piece hoops
2x tensioning handles
2x metal tabs that connect hoops to handle
you can fab the rest and buy the vinyl insert

expect to play well into 1200+ for the parts alone. I'll take pics of my install soon (sorry to the guys waiting) the car is at a distant location...

MJ

[jpnovak]

Here are the factory pages for soft window to hard window conversion. You will be able to see some of the work involved.






Copyright Porsche.

[joehahn]

Yes! thanks fellas! Is it ok if I tag along with you guys during conversion? (via cyberspace of course). I would def like to see the manual on this. How far would this auction have got me?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7926154056&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

(can anyone teach me that trick where you post a link and then rename the link to say "link" or "click here")

[joehahn]

wow, jp you beat my post. thanks

[jpnovak]

I was going to bid on that one. I see that it is missing the two circualr mounts that go on the upper bar taht the latches hook into. Kinda hard to describe unless you see it in person. YOu would have had to buy two new seals and top to finish that out. Also the boot if you want it. You would also have to fab the brackets that the two bars connect to the targa hoop and the brackets that secure the lower hoop. It looks like the rod ends that secure the lower hoop to the tabs on the body are missing. They will have to be fabbed from rod end blanks.



Dan at CarsNJInc also has a SWT listing. You may want to call him to see how complete it was.

[joehahn]

I did call him. He was very nice. Has anyone dealt with him? He thinks he can get me everything i need including window and boot. Seems like an upstanding guy. Should I jut buy the whole kit and kaboodle from him? Also, where are the "tabs" you spoke of?

joe

[82SC]

Let me post my 1000 words before my pic, since I've been saying I'd get pics of JP for such a long time

so...

there are 2 hoops. once is the lower hoop that is stationary around the rear deck. The other is the upper that fits the profile of the rear of the targa bar. that one moves ~1" via the tensioning handles.

the lower hoop has 3 eye screws (to describe looks like a threaded rod with one end flattened with a hole drilled thru) three tabs need to be welded to the rear shelf to attach

the upper hoop is put in place and 2 holes have to be drilled thru the targa bar where it meets the body work. At the pivot point, one of the hoops should have tapped threads in the holes that attach the hoops. with a combination of washers and a screw the hoops are attached at the pivot point

on the upper hoop are 2 cylidrical "male" parts (bolted to the upper hoop) that fit into the "female" tensioning handles. They have a helical groove cut into the male part that when the handle is turned, it pulls the male end tighter into the female end and vice versa (like the word choice?)

the mounting holes for the handes are still in the 1973 targa bar stampings (soft targa was D/Ced in 69 I think)

the upper bar should only move slightly, just to take up the slack or give slack when you are unzipping...some guys have trimmed a little from the targa bar and that allows the whole upper hoop to fall down flat...

the hoops are 2 pieces each, the join in the middle with a press fit...that is so you can slip the yinyl window on. You can get them from ___________ (that 356 company...that makes the 911 chopped block 4cyl...forgot the name...lots of outlaws etc...) they have a upholstry guy that has the pattern and will make to order for 400 I believe. I hear they make the best ones period

Also you'll have to drill holes into your body work for those snap buttons to attach the cover for when the window is down

Also the vinyl window scratches if you look at it wrong...so guy tend to put flannel blankets on either side when putting it up or down

that is about it...that was a pretty decent price for a full setup...I wonder if he had the "male" parts...I would assume so since he looks like he just pulled it right from the car...but I've seen guys want 600 for just the handles.

keep an eye out...I'd say handles are the hardest part (oh plus the male piece) the hoops you could fab if you had one to work off as a pattern...all the other stuff is just hardware...

keep an eye out for pics

MJ

[joehahn]

thanks guys. do me a favor and email me at monish@ix.netcom.com so I can email you a few pics and ask a quick question. Thanks.

joe

[jpnovak]

MJ, thanks for the description. Don't worry about getting pictures yet. I won't be ready to strip the car down for another few months. Plus I am still sourcing a few parts. right now, I only need the hoops. I tried to make copies but they didn't turn out too great. not smooth arcs. Do you have original hoops or copies? If copies, Can you pass on the source?

I have heard the same about Parts Obsolete in OR. they make the best tops.

I fabbed my own handle recepticals that bolt to the bar. I think they will work fine.

[joehahn]

...oh yeah, one other question. Is there a way to tell if your car was once a soft-window and converted to hard via vin #? I vaguely recall seeing that there was a way you could find your car's original options. I think mine may have been a soft converted to hard window but I'm not sure. If so I would not need to worry about any fabrications (obviously).

joe 68 L

[82SC]

look that the rear shelf and see if you can see spots where the welded tabs were chiselled off

that is prob the easiest way...but the car would have to have the rear shelf removed...

or check for a hole drilled in the targa bar where it meets the body work on back margin of the bar

MJ

[joehahn]

see this rear shelf thing:


See the holes where the black brackets would screw thru? Is that what you guys are talking about when you say tabs? Those black "hold down" type things? If so, I have those things already in my car on the rear shelf. I just never knew what they were for.

[82SC]

nope...that is a tie down for luggage and stuff...

you have to look at the metal rear shelf...the part of the actual shell

MJ

[hkspwrsche]

Didnt someone make an aftermarket kit for these yet? I've seen a red targa SC around town with a softwindow conversion on his car. Looks like his just snaps on?

[jpnovak]

Joe, The holes you see in teh rear deck panel are for the luggage tie downs as MJ mentioned. Here is what you see in the sheet metal. They are circled in Yellow.

you will need to see if you have the tabs circled in red. these are the mounting points for the lower bar that secures the top.

Harold. I have never seen an aftermarket soft window kit. If you ever see that car, see if you can get pictures, name, phone number etc. I would be interested in talking with him.

[82SC]

i'll post pics when I get home but I've seen a soft rear targa where the entire clear vinyl zips out...not folds down...

I have pics...

MJ

[joehahn]

so my targa bar has the 2 big holes w/2 little holes on either side for handles. currently there are gold alan head screws in the small holes. The rear shelf appears to have 3 bumps at the spots where the eye screws should be. I believe they are actually still there causing the lumps. If they are then can I assume that this would be an extremely easy project? Is there a mounting point for the hoops that is hinged that I should check for? I know the lower hoop is stationary and the upper moves a few inches but where would they mount? I believe I am ready to commit to this project.

joe

[82SC]

yeah get the setup...yeah convert your car...it is too cool not too.

I think you just have to plan to have 0 rear visibility...take really good care of the vinyl...and expect to change it every so often.

Another way to tell is if your car has those metal "nipples" in the body work itself. These are below the rear edge of the glass and was the attachment point for the soft rear cover. also the pivot hole is on the targa bar, where it meets the bodywork. Sound like your car might have had the soft rear before.

This is not a hard project at all...it is finding the parts...at most you have to weld 3 tabs and drill one hole....

MJ

PS Thanks to Kevin M at automotive innovation this was "not a hard project at all"....