Targa Top Removal

[divezic]

Dumb question from a 911 noephyte...

How do I remove the Targa top?

So far I have the 2 front clips released with the handle, then the rear bar folded forward. Now what? I assumed that the front bar gets folded rearward, but that sucker isn't budging.

It's going to be a warm (for Maine) and sunny day. I need to take it all off...the Targa top , that is. Help.

[efhughes3]

Don't fold the rear bar to take it off...

You need to loosen the two clips as you did. Then, sitting inside push the front up, both sides evenly. You need to make sure the handles are open all of the way.

Once you get the front up and clear, slide the entire top forward to pull the rear pins out of their holes. Be careful, at that point you're the one supporting the top.

The folding feature is for storing, but I don't fold mine anymore since I recovered it.

[jcc911]

I am not sure if your top is the same as in '78, but with mine all you have to do is release the two clips via the handles in front (above visors) and then slide the top towards the front of the car. The "bars" should not have to be folded, as this is only for storage.
I hope this helps, but like I said I am not sure if yours is the same as in the '78.

[divezic]

Thanks. I'll go try it.

[azasadny]

Dave,
Watch your fingers! Targa tops have a way of biting your fingers and it's very painful (don't ask me how I know)...

[divezic]

You guys are correct. I just had to get the front latches to turn the last 1/16" to completely release.

Thanks for the tip, Art. I barely have any skin left on my knuckles from the Porsche bites, especially from the 914 I used to own.

[carmen78sc]

Meant to keep the top from flying off when those "curious" passengers throw the levers while you're barreling down the highway!

[DustinTarditi]

BTW - 2 schools of thought on the targa top (now that you have it off):

1) NEVER FOLD IT - rebuilding targa tops is apparently a very trying and difficult (certainly costly) exercise - folding the top will wear out the top material over time... if it's in good shape, folding it probably won't hurt it much but sroting it folded will certainly degrade it over time.

2) Fold it - it's what it was designed to do - take it to an uphostery shop every 6-10 years (if need be) and get it recovered... enjoy it the way it was meant to.

At any rate, unfolded, it will fit in the bonnet (trunk)... it will obviously fit there folded, as well.

Enjoy it!

[divezic]

The targa top is already cracked at the fold spots. Not bad, but I need to recover it eventually...and never fold it again.

[azasadny]

My Targa top will not fit in my trunk unless I fold it. How do you guys manage to fit an unfolded top in your trunk? I have a '74 Targa...

[carmen78sc]

Not sure what year was the cutoff, but the brake booster was enlarged, preventing an unfolded top from fitting in the luggage compartment.

[azasadny]

I don't have a brake booster and the top will still not fit unfolded. Maybe I got the "extra small trunk" option???

[Hugh R]

Stick it behind the front seats upright and unfolded. It fits fine.

[azasadny]

Hugh,
Yep, that's what I do when the kids aren't in the back seat. They love to go driving with me so they are usually in the car!

[DustinTarditi]

There is a little ledge above the location for the jack... I've found that if I slide the unfolded top in (you need to actually pass this through the opening between the hood and cowl a touch) the top will then fit into the bonnet nicely and not shift around while driving.

Perhaps I should say that your results may vary, but it fit so well it appeared as "intentional design" to me. I can look in the owner's manual to see if there is mention of top stowage... can't recall off hand, though.

[exhaustfumes]

my wife placed the top on the car one night, and didn't have time to latch it down. 2 hours later when she drove off, she remembered that she didn't latch the roof, and at that instant it became a frisbee, and took off. the first car following behind her avoided it, but the next car smashed it to bits.
i found a guy in tampa who had 5 of them selling cheap, and got one better than the trashed one for $200. but it taught us a lesson...never place the roof on the car without latching it down!! i scavenged the old top for parts, at least i got two spare latches out of it.

[DustinTarditi]

Still have the contact info for the guy in Tampa?

Targa top prices are steep for many parts.

[fintstone]

My unfolded top does not fit in the trunk either. I think I will eventually get one of the fiberglass repros to use and save my folding top. They have refined them quite a bit and the price is reasonable. They don't have all the mechanism and padding as the folding one and should fit easily.

[fintstone]

Originally posted by divezic
You guys are correct. I just had to get the front latches to turn the last 1/16" to completely release.

I don't know if it is by design, but mine also requires a specific second effort for the last 1/16 to 1/4 inch turn. I consider it a safety, of sort, like the second latch on the trunk.
Stoney

[DustinTarditi]

I thought you had to scavenge quite a few parts form a donor top to get the fiberglass ones to work, though.

I see them on ebay every week for $500.

Originally posted by fintstone
My unfolded top does not fit in the trunk either. I think I will eventually get one of the fiberglass repros to use and save my folding top. They have refined them quite a bit and the price is reasonable. They don't have all the mechanism and padding as the folding one and should fit easily.