targa bar

[sballard]

I am currently dealing with some rust in the area of the bar-quarterpanel attachment. Can anyone tell me exactly how the targa bar is connected to the unibody? From looking at the parts diagram, I assume that the prongs from the bar are welded or bolted to the bracket (#7). Is this correct?

[gsmith660]

spot welded in to the unibody I just took mine out to do a cab conversion as for the filler piece I have to look to see where that is cause I dont recall removing that.

[KCinBR]

There is a Targa Bar like in the diagram in your post and there is a Targa bar cover which is visable from outside usually painted black on later models.
The cover is attached by many screws behind the rubber seal along the top and sides and 2 nuts under each rear fender well. Not really a problem to remove.

[gsmith660]

Looked at my old bar and as I can tell the new bar fits in and the filler bar fits over that to reinforce it. and all is welded in.

[sballard]

Many thanks

[sballard]

gsmith660-

One more question....Is the targa bar welded to the inboard of the unibody or the outboard side? My reason for asking is that the support bracket (#7 above) is rusted pretty badly in my car and when I removed it, I saw no signs of the targa bar prongs that I expected to fit into the bracket. I didn't even see any evidence of old spotwelds. When I pulled back the upholstery on the inside of the targa bar, it looks like a smooth sheet of steel connects the bar and the unibody. The bar seem very solid despite the absence of the prongs, but its got me a little worried. Unfortunately, I don't have access to the right side just now to check because the the car is a '72 and the oil tank access and latchpanel are in the way.

Thanks

[gsmith660]

If part #7 was rusted real bad then the tang may have been completely rusted away which would need a replacement targa bar and part 7 for both sides. the location is outside the unibody inside the quarter panel area all I have are pictures of the area after I removed the entire bar.

[gsmith660]

I may be incorrect after looking at pictures the tang on the targa bar may be in between the 2 unibody panels and part 7 is reinforcement outside the unibody. I wish I had paid more attention when I was removing the bar I do remember chiseling out 2 pieces of sheet metal to get to the look in the pictures. Looking at what is left of the targa bar there are 2 layers of sheet metal outside the unibody. I guess if you are going to replace the rusted area I would consider replacing the whole targa bar if you dont want to buy new then go to someone like oklahoma foriegn and have them cut you out a bar clean it all up then purchase just the part 7 for right and left and go at it clean it up like in my pictures and weld away just be sure to get measurements from the locating pins in the windshield frame to the bar and then the opposite side (x pattern) to get fit up right.

[sballard]

gsmith660-

Thanks for the reply. Your photos are very revealing. I think you are right about the tangs on the targa bar probably fitting between the inboard and outboard sheetmetal. The outboard surface of the unibody looks just like mine underneath the support bracket - smooth without any weld marks. I am thinking that I should cut a peephole through the inboard bulkhead just to be sure the tangs are there and examine their condition. If so I will just replace the bracket and get on with other repairs.

Thanks again for your help. By the way, do you have any photos of your cabriolet? Sounds like an interesting project.

[gsmith660]

Here are some.