What's wrong with Targas!

[ben@benlovejoy.]

I bought a Targa with the intention of converting it to a cabriolet later, as it's not too complicated a conversion and you save some cash.

The first weekend of driving it was enough to convince me to abandon the plan. I was just astonished how much of a cab feeling you get in a Targa, but with the added advantages of the rollover hoop, better rear visibility and better security. (Especially with my Pelican Parts fibreglass roof, it isn't obvious to a thief that the roof is removeable.)



More here:
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/benlovejoy/wheels/911/roof/

Ben

[S2GART]

I'll bust in here, being a Targa owner. I too prefer the simple lines of the coupe. However, the Targa is more suitable if you have kids and want them to ride in the car. There is more headroom than in the coupes. My wife would not of agreed to get the car if my 13 year old daughter couldn't fit in the car.
There I didn't try to defend the Targa styling, just the advantage for us family guys. Afterall, these are family sports cars.

[Skip Newsom]

I have to agree that coupes are a better looking car, but a topless drive almost anywhere in a Targa is a blast! I think the car sounds better too without the top, it begs for redline.
Driving here in the PNW a waterproof car is wise, but what a kick open air driving is in the spring and summer, you experience the temp changes, the scents and sounds as close to being on a motorcycle as anything I've ever driven.
A photo from a recent cruise...

[rcaradimos]

Topless is just down right nice and naughty!

Q: Do you want to go for a ride in the Targa topless?
Response: Can I just flash them.
A: As much as you want.


Can't do that with a coupe!

[Joe Bob]

They are not a cab and not a coupe.....they seem unfinished.

[catnmouse]

Targas remind me of the Humpback of Stuttgart...

[Joe Bob]

Ya don't see any cabs being conveted to a Targa.....

[tonypeoni]

wow, theres a lot of targa haters on here damn theres even 930 haters. But the 993 targa with out a doubt is the best looking narrow body 911 ever.

[Bobboloo]

This is the first time I've seen a picture of your car Skip. It is stunning. You should be proud.

For years I was a Coupe guy. Had no interest in Targas until I drove one. Then I got it. For sheer driving pleasure Targas are hard to beat. It's been said before but I'll say it again.

"Coupes look better from the outside but Targas look better from the inside."

As far as chassis flex I have news for you they all flex Coupes and Targas. Some more than others. I have two Targas. The 71' flexes more than the 73'. I used to have a 67' Coupe that flexed as much or more than my 73' Targa. It all depends on the spot welds and mileage on the chassis.

[fintstone]

Ya don't see any cabs being converted to coupes either.

[Joe Bob]

Wrong again fint.....widebody sells a hardtop....

[wholberg]

I think the squat look of a Targa is aggressive, like a big cat crouched and ready to spring. A Coupe looks like a big cat in mid-spring. A cabriolet...I don't know, maybe a springing cat that's lost it's toupe.

I have also had several women tell me that a Targa is sexier than either a Coupe or a Cab, and I have to agree.

[Skip Newsom]

Thanks Bobby!!
You might remember that I bought an air filter box from you some time ago... it's in the car and working perfect!

I could not have got my car back on the road without the help and knowledge from this board... and signal yellow has grown on me.

[Plecostomus]

I saw a light metallic green one(70's green) and a beautiful blue one that I drooled over, even though I do not care for them. I've been searching for a black SC coupe and sometimes when I think I've found the right one, there is the dern Targa top! Aaaargh.

[DC_Targa]

Targa = easily removeable top. Just like a good wife
But hey, what do I know... here is So. Cal. my 66 TR4A attracts a lot more attention than all the 911's, including mine.

[Hugh R]

Because unlike a cab with the top off it isn't easily mistaken for a Mitsubishi Spyder (ducking for cover about now).

[rcooled]

My Targa isn't my daily driver, so I hardly ever have the top on it. Here in the SF Bay Area, we have virtually no rain from mid-April to late October, so there are lots of opportunities for open-air driving. I've owned 3 coupes with & without sunroofs and I have to say that my '89 is pretty solid, although there IS just a bit more chassis flex than the coupes. The trade-off is well worth it on a nice sunny day cruisin' with the wind in your hair.

[BK911]

A coupe looks better from the outside.

A targa looks better from the inside.

[rotorhead]

Nothing wrong here.....

[Sunroof]

Mr. Ferrari once said of Convertibles and Targa's, "only playboys will drive these cars, but real drivers drive coupes".

Coupes came before targa's and are the purist in design. Can it be that once a coupe owner/driver, always a coupe owner driver?

Bob
73.5T Coupe