What do you think of this make-shift convertible?

[masraum]

it's pretty.

[lateapex911]

I think it's great. The color...well, I'm not sold, but not hating it either!
I would worry about the rigidity of the chassis. A roll bar with some forward diagonals down to the front rocker box might be needed.

And yes, the mirrors have to go, along with thr weird rear chrome thingy.

All in all though, it could be a cool ride. But with 4 days to go, the price is already up there...

No matter what, THIS car, more than most, is 'SEE/DRIVE and think before you buy' kind of car!

[funy1guy]

Love the "Ping Driver" hood shock!!

[2.7RACER]

I really like the color. I've been looking for a different color for my '85, currently grey. I'm afraid the low performance from the "T" motor would get old quickly. My fix for that would be an "S" conversion in keeping with the early look. Weber's a "S" cam, 9.5 CR pistons. I like the mirrors and H4's. The wheels need something, I haven't put my finger on it. Overall, I'm thinking this will go around $10K. These long hoods get better looking every day.

[Zeke]

Two of you have mentioned concerns about chassis stiffness. Why? What's different from a Targa? I disected a Targa and I don't see the cross over being all that much help. The floor pan reinforcements should be enough to go ahead with a cabriolet conversion, IMHO. This is all relative speak. Of course a cage would add desirable stiffness.

Real nice paint work and panel matching on the car.

[Allenk]

I would like to see one of the custom hard tops being manufactured by a fellow pelicanite on that car. The big blob of folded up soft top doesn't please the eye. I was considering the same thing for my 71' and may now do it since I like the look, but would look to something fully removeable.

[Allenk]

Okay, so now my mind is wandering...I wonder what any of the fiberglass masters on this site think of the idea of creating a removable rear top section. Basically a one piece section that takes the place of the targa bar and rear glass and maybe clips down maybe similar to a jeep. Then you could end up with a cab/targa. Just remove the targa top or take it ALL OFF.

[daka]

Very nicely done, this looks like a real fun car....no its not original but who cares..........

[randywebb]

"I don't see the cross over being all that much help" on a targa.

- I thought that was important for the torsional flex(?) Maybe the factory was wrong, tho. It wouldn't be the first time. Did you measure it? Or do a comparison drive over surfaces that would induce this? Or just an evaluation based on estimated forces?

- Also, the targa has a bar over the top....

[widebody911]

Having personally done a cab conversion, I can say the targa bar doesn't do a lot for stiffness. If you want to add low-key stiffness to a cab/targa, get a set of these:

[Emission]

Those Michelin tires haven't been manufactured in a decade or so... they'll need replacing.

I expected to hate this thing, but after reading and looking at the pics, it's not that bad!

[JeremyD]

I like it to - sure wouldn't pull up to a stop light and see one just like it in the other lane...

[silverc4s]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by widebody911
[B]Having personally done a cab conversion, I can say the targa bar doesn't do a lot for stiffness. If you want to add low-key stiffness to a cab/targa, get a set of these:

Thom: Are those sill plates commercially available, or did you fab then up for your car? Kinda interested for a long term project I have in mind.. (can you say 73 3.3 Speedster..)

[randywebb]

We need to be clear what we're talking about - I am talking about 'twist' from the LF corner to the RR corner, say.

The sill plates look like they will mainly reduce longitudinal flex. I don't doubt that they are a good idea tho.

[ianc]

We need to be clear what we're talking about - I am talking about 'twist' from the LF corner to the RR corner, say

I also don't see the difference between a cab and targa in terms of stiffness. I don't think the factory was 'wrong', it's just that up until 1983, the factory never made a cab, period.

I don't know the differences in the construction of a targa and cab chassis, but if someone does, that would be authoritative...

ianc

[Hayabusa]

I like it and would rip around with the top off. I am with everyone else on the mirrors. Stick the period mirrors back on.

Although, with the rest of the quasi-vision I would have gone totally against the grain and shoe-horned in a 3.6ltr.

Hey, come on... while you're living why not live large?!

[ianc]

A 3.6 would mean ditching those dinky wheels, which would require flares, which would require...

ianc

[widebody911]

The sill plates are available from euro-tek in costa mesa. 714.549.3211

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Allenk
Okay, so now my mind is wandering...I wonder what any of the fiberglass masters on this site think of the idea of creating a removable rear top section. Basically a one piece section that takes the place of the targa bar and rear glass and maybe clips down maybe similar to a jeep. Then you could end up with a cab/targa. Just remove the targa top or take it ALL OFF.

I could be done. There's probably not enough demand for a mass-produced piece though, so you'd have to pay someone to one-off it for you.

[Allenk]

Maybe a snap on soft top with a roll bar or removable supports. Can you tell the big pile of canvas is the part I like least. Any idea how must it would cost to have a top made?