75 Targa racer?

[CindyDuck]

I have a 75 Targa roller, clean Cali. car stripped down bare bones. The parts I got with it are core material only. Do these make good DE cars? I would think Targa cars are heavier and not as structraly stable, like a convertable, but i'm not sure. I was wondering if I would be better off selling it and getting an early smaller lighter car or use what I have. Any input would be appreciated. When it stops raining I'll push her out and post some pix.
Thanks,
Mike

[bigchillcar]

hi mike,
there seems to be general agreement here (pauses, looks over shoulder) that coupes are the preferred route for serious track use. there are a number of threads you can do a search for describing the various structural additions some have done to shore up the targa's diminished structural support. personally, as an amateur, i doubt i operate that often at such a limit where i'd notice the need for a coupe over a targa..or even a cabriolet for that matter.
ryan

[CindyDuck]

My search proves there are over 1000 opinions on this subject, very few discuss track use, most track cars are coupes. Looking at it now I think it would be a waste to chop and weld on this car, it is rust free and straight, and I would eventually mess it up with track use. So I guess i will look around and see if I could sell it or trade for an earlier coupe.
Thanks for the reply Ryan, you ever shoot greenheads in Sturgartt? Duck capitol of the world, good rice as well.
Mike

[Mike Bonkalski]

Take a look at Thom's website - www.rennlight.com - his car started out as a targa. IIRC Scruffy also started out as a targa. These are fine examples on where you can take a targa. They have the potential to be excellent track cars.

[safe]

With a roll cage you will probably solve (I´m guessing, no facts to back it up) any stiffness problems.
Any slight weight disadvantage could maybe be offset with a more unusual race car??

I like targas!

[jluetjen]

If you chose to race in the SCCA (I'm talking about Road Racing, not soloing right now), the Targas are often popular since they have somewhat less frontal area then a coupe since Targas and convertables are allowed to remove all of the windows. Coupes on the other hand have to retain the windshield and rear glass as well as the rear quarter windows. I suspect that removing the glass helps to offset some of the weight issues of the targa -- namely too much and too high.

If you were to use it in SCCA, you'd of course have to install a full cage (8 point or more, not a 6-point or roll bar), which would certainly resolve any flexibility issues. It may not be quite as stiff as a coupe, but the difference won't be meaningful.



Here's a previous thread on the subject.

[bigchillcar]

hi cindy,
yeah, stuttgart is named the 'duck capital' and yes i have done some hunting there, both duck and goose, but it has been years..not since 1990. recent news concerning the discovery of a 'certain woodpecker', thought to be extinct, has environmentalists and shotgunmentalists gearing up for a showdown..anyway, sounds like you have a good plan.
ryan

[randywebb]

"coupes are the preferred route for serious track use"

- Generally true, due to body rigidity and lighter wt. For an exception (with a 3.8L RS engine) search on brakes and stop when you see a silver bumper series targa with a ruf front spoiler. Guess who's car it is?

[Markus33]

John,

That's a great picture. What is the black car behind the yellow 911 Targa?

Markus
'80 SC Targa

[Bill Verburg]

targas can make fine race cars

[jluetjen]

Originally posted by Markus33
John,

That's a great picture. What is the black car behind the yellow 911 Targa?

Markus
'80 SC Targa

I believe that it's a Lotus Elan convertable.

[CindyDuck]

OK the targa stays. I have a good running CIS 2.7 with a 915 I will be dropping in it, shouldnt be bad. I guess the big question is chop the top and loose the windows, Johns pics. Or leave them, Bills pics. Thats a toughy! I will probbaly start with the glass in and go from there.
Either way the wife wont like the price tag on this one.
MIke

[efhughes3]

Originally posted by CindyDuck
I have a 75 Targa roller, clean Cali. car stripped down bare bones. The parts I got with it are core material only. Do these make good DE cars?

Your original post specifically referenced DE. We've now run the gamut to full race. As you can see there are examples across the board. My car is used for 4 or so DE's a year, and the other 48 weekends a year is a blast to scoot around in due to the Targa's functionality. She gets to practice at the track this Sunday, and DE in two weeks!!

[CindyDuck]

Pic didnt take this time, rain delay on my pic. Comming soon!

[efhughes3]

My pic didn't take either...