Targa top fitmant question!

VaSteve · 03-22-2005, 05:29 PM

My Targa top is all ripped up. I have this other top from a 78 from a fellow who is parting one out. I have had it on my car for a week and realized that it doesn't fit as well as I thought it should. There is an obvious gap between the edge of the top and the bar. However, I drove with the 78 top on tonight and it is much quieter - less banging and clanging.

Anyone have a suggestion as to what's up? I know I'm only putting off the inevitable - a trip to see Dan Petchal.

My 1983 top (a mess):

The 1978 top

M.D. Holloway · 03-22-2005, 07:01 PM

I think if my top bit it I would look to have one fabricated out of fiberglass. Less noiseand more durable - storage would be tough but then again, I wonder if there isn't a way around that save leaving at home.

tsuter · 03-22-2005, 07:14 PM

The 1983 top looks too tight. The paint will wear off the Targa bar contacts as well as the front I'd guess. The 78 fitment looks much closer to normal. The vinyl shouldn't contact paint. There are plastic plugs that help in this regard.

But I have to say.....

Both those tops are the ratiest I have seen in many years....

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Buy a new skin and try recovering the top yourself. Although some people have said that it is harder than rebuilding an engine, I have rebuilt my share of engines and didn't find it any harder.

telone2 · 03-23-2005, 03:29 AM

I took my top down to the local auto upholstery shop and $265.00 later, I had a brand new top. I promise it fit like a glove and the material he used looked like the factory original. It only took him two days. I have afeeling I might have been able to do it myself, but really, for that relitively small sum, I got a professional job!

VaSteve · 03-23-2005, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tsuter
The 1983 top looks too tight. The paint will wear off the Targa bar contacts as well as the front I'd guess. The 78 fitment looks much closer to normal. The vinyl shouldn't contact paint.

Too tight? How so?

I find that the 83 top is easier to clip into place. Maybe because it's used to the car or vice versa.

I'm surprised it's not supposed to touch the bar...

carsinc · 03-23-2005, 05:07 AM

My experience has shown that 95% of all tops need full restoration. This means the replacement of the reinforcement levelsunder the skin. Local shows don't have this material, instead using conv. top material which is no made fpor this purpose. As a result of this tops leak air and soon become deformred. Just my experience.
dan
carsinc

Dan Owens · 03-23-2005, 05:07 AM

I believe that you can adjust the alignment of the 78 top by adjusting the two drop pins in the front corners of the top. It will allow the fit to move forward and backward slightly. A small gap in the back isn't a really problem as long as the gasket is hitting completely against the underside of the top.

New top material for the original top isn't real expensive and you can do it yourself. Just takes patients and a little time. I re-did mine and it only took a day and 1/2.

VaSteve · 03-23-2005, 05:30 AM

Dan O, you have a PM.

JBO · 03-23-2005, 07:24 AM

You should repaint your targa bar with Dupli-Color trim paint or equivalent. Does not take long if you leave the bar on and you will be amazed with the results.

VaSteve · 03-23-2005, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JBO
You should repaint your targa bar with Dupli-Color trim paint or equivalent. Does not take long if you leave the bar on and you will be amazed with the results.

I have some Wurth's Black Satin and am planning to do this when it gets a little warmer in the garage. I used it on the hood vent (which I could take inside) and it looks great! Do I need to clearcoat it when I'm done? I don't want it to look shiny, but don't want the paint to peel either.

JBO · 03-23-2005, 07:44 AM

The Wurth works great though I went with the cheaper stuff. You do not need to clear coat it, and I wouldn't as it would make it to shiny.

steve911 · steve911's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by VaSteve
I have some Wurth's Black Satin and am planning to do this when it gets a little warmer in the garage. I used it on the hood vent (which I could take inside) and it looks great! Do I need to clearcoat it when I'm done? I don't want it to look shiny, but don't want the paint to peel either.

Steve--
Prep the bar well and spray with the Wurth's Satin. After 30 days, put a coat of wax on it and you're done for a while. If you clear coat it you will have a much shinier bar than stock.