Backdate Targa Rear Window?

Eric-325I · 07-09-2006, 02:43 PM

Hello Everyone:

Searched to no avail... Anyone ever try, or know of someone who has tried, backdating their targa rear window to a removable type window? Anyone make such a kit?

Just thinking as I see so many targas for sale in my price range but have not considered them much as I don't like the shape of the rear window...

Thanks.

Eric

Joeaksa · 07-09-2006, 03:39 PM

Do a search on this. There is no kit that I have heard of and would love to find one.

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

Search under soft window.

Here's a conversion thread.
DIY soft window targa conversion

virtuoso · 07-09-2006, 04:18 PM

I have a 74 with a 69 soft window conversion in it...see pics. I can try to take some other pics of the work as it appears to be custom from the PO...I would recommend against it overall. I would be more than happy to swap your glass for my soft rear window

Let me know if you need more detail on it and you can PM me to send you more images. I have not seen a kit and the rear window in mine is all original. I even had a custom shop that does convertible tops look at making me a tonneau cover and new top for it and the guy told me "no way"...too difficult. He is an old school guy with 40 years experience too.
I have seen the tops for sale randomly, but there is some welding work that is needed to make it fit. So I am not sure what is custom on mine and what is "factory" but again I would not recommend this conversion for a number of reasons:
1. No way except for the tonneau cover with studs inserted on the body to keep the top from flying around while down; I currently tuck mine behind the rear seats which causes some odd creases (mine does not have the studs around the window like the original); it has now begun to slowly rip from the stress of flying out once or twice.
2. No easy or cheap way to repair or replace this top
3. The Targa bar cover on the inside will not fit (based on my conversion) and will have to be modified; mine needs to be recovered correctly as the shape is now different
4. At higher speeds the outside flaps come loose if the top is up after a period of time. The velcro is stitched in
5. Rear window clouds if the top is not put up after each use; mine heated up and this caused clouding and creases while parked "down"
6. Structurally not as stiff as glass rear window
7. Top "knocks" over certain bumps as the top metal band that holds the top is "hanging" on some studs; a great fabricator I am sure could make a much more professional install, but it would cost quite a bit to do.

virtuoso · 01-26-2007, 11:13 AM

Someone requested a few more details on how my conversion was done, so I drew it out to show the basic "assembly" of the conversion. The soft top itself would be the hard part in my opinion. Finding one or getting one custom done would be the issue. But the fabrication and how it attaches is pretty straight forward. Some fabrication and welding is required

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

Thanks Dave. That's better than photographs.

What does the weatherstripping seal look like between the lower hoop and the body?

virtuoso · 01-26-2007, 01:03 PM

Actually there is no weatherstirpping there. The tops have a bead around the base that tucks up under the lip around the window sheet metal opening. The top is overlapping the lip a bit so the rain would run right off. I CAN post pics of that outside area to show the idea.

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

That would be perfect. Thanks. The softwindow seal at the Targa bar is still available at $300+

virtuoso · 01-26-2007, 01:09 PM

If you look at the image of the rear angle of the car in my previous post, you can kind of see the area I mean...will post pics when I get a new digital camera this weekend

I might even be able to pull the interior targa bar cover off to show the actual fabrication under the targa bar.

CurtEgerer · CurtEgerer's Garage

I'm also having trouble visualizing how this corner area circled in red seals. Maybe a closeup inside and out right in that location if possible too?? Thanks.

virtuoso · 01-26-2007, 01:18 PM

I can do that. I will shoot close ups of all the exterior and interior areas this weekend.

real550A · real550A's Garage

Dave-
Despite the multiple areas of concern, that soft window, wide body
looks great!
Sorry to hear it's got so many little problems. Hope you get it
sorted out properly.

virtuoso · 01-26-2007, 03:49 PM

Thanks real550a...it will be sorted out now that Winter is here

It is a fun car and I love it. It gets many looks from both P-car fans and the general public. The softwindow does have many advantages. I do feel safer having my small children in the back with the Targa bar over a typical cabriolet and the softwindow stays down most of the time now anyway. It sure is easy to "button up" when we need to quickly.

topgub · 01-26-2007, 04:09 PM

It looks great. Too bad someone doesn't fab a kit for them. I think it would make Targas a lot more popular. I'd be in for one, maybe two.

virtuoso · 01-26-2007, 04:20 PM

I am certainly NO expert here but other than the top, the remaining parts are very simple to replicate, and I bet with a little work, I could come up with a system for bolting one in a car without any real heavy duty modifications. It would all depend on the way a real softwindow is made in regard to the edge bead and "pocket" for the two hoops (if the original kind even has them). This top was custom fabricated. I will find the original receipt for them and see if they would be interested in helping some fellows out. Get back to you with the info later

virtuoso · 04:31 PM

Okay now I am irritated that someone has not offered a basic system for this. Maybe our kind host would consider it if one of us came up with a kit approach (after revewing the original thread where someone used real parts, I realize how easy it would be). Mine does not have the handles for tensioning the top. Mine is fixed full time and am not sure why you would need handles for tension. I will pull it apart very soon and get more details as well as consider how I could make it a "replicatable" system. I will try to keep this thread updated as I get more info. Sorry...Did not mean to hijack Eric-325's post.

topgub · 01-26-2007, 04:30 PM

Thanx Dave. I've never seen one up close so it's tough to visualize how it works and can stay attached at freeway+ speeds even with the drawings & photos.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by virtuoso

It may not work so good But it looks awesome.

Joeaksa · 01-26-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by topgub
It looks great. Too bad someone doesn't fab a kit for them. I think it would make Targas a lot more popular. I'd be in for one, maybe two.

I bought most of the parts to backdate a Targa to the soft window last fall and do not believe that it would be that hard to duplicate most of them.

If someone is interested in doing this let me know and we can look at doing something.

joe A

virtuoso · 01-27-2007, 04:56 AM

It does look good khamul02...and it is a showstopper. After I get the details and system sorted out I am sure I will feel better about it overall. I decided to build another Targa with glass to satisfy my desire for a more serious drivers car.

Good news: I did uncover the original owner's information that showed the top was made custom and not original as in my previous post. I will contact the PO to get the number of the shop that did it and let everyone know where to get one.