early soft window targa upgrade possible
 

ok i just got a 68 targa S , upon closer inspection i noticed that the is 2 big hand size hole on the inside of the targa bar, but the rear is a hard window

in the early days, and even now not that any one would want to do it , could you convert a soft window into a hard window

were any hard windows with those holes
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217207245.jpg

I am sure there are plenty of soft window-to-hard window conversions out there. I have seen one that was a soft-hard-soft conversion. It is nice to see you've got the original Targa bar liner. You'd be really lucky if you could find the chrome handles.

There were many soft window conversions to hard window.

As a matter of fact there is a section in the factory workshop manual showing you how to do it.

Based on your targa headliner, I'm 99.9% certain that the car was originally a soft window. There's a way to be certain, and that's to see if they retained the soft window chrome strip. Can you post a picture of the base of the targa bar...from the outside. Show me the chrome strip that is between the base of the targa bar and the body.

A 68S targa is a very valuable car....if it's a softie it's even more valuable.

Looking forward to your reply.

Eric
Besides cars listed below, I also have a 68 912 hard window that's being converted back to a soft window.

early s
 

i have looked at the car and there is no chrome molding at the bottom of the targa bar,, but there is a gap, the car has been repainted twice it might account for the molding missing

and since you are rebuilding an other soft window , any parts for sale and/or picture of the bits and piece would be very apreciated .

I will be looking for the rattiest kit and either rebuilding or reproducing, you would be surprised what you can do when you have a lot of garage gear and good connection

Here are photos of some of the soft window Targa particulars.

Chrome strip at base of Targa bar.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217515578.jpg

New window and old frame
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217515794.jpg

Window frame in place.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217516014.jpg

Hinge point at Targa bar
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217516088.jpg

SWT latch
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217516133.jpg

Willing to wheel and deal on this primo old window.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217516185.jpg

looks interesting
 

I know thw vinyl part is easily available , your looks good to me to start ,, how about the other bits, the frame part , the handles etc,, not looking for good ones

From where and for how much was the new windoe assembly? I am ready for one.

I purchased mine from Autobahn Interiors. Very happy with the price and faithfulness to the original.

swt window
 

sorry for the delay but I am back to the dark ages ( dial up)
I have seen them from world upholstery www.worlduph.com part# 9113009
they also have a lot of other interesting items for the early cars

on an other note , I went to a car show over the week end and saw something very interesting , the rare and famous handles for the swt , I saw them or something ery similar on a car that is much more common ( a 60s mercedes rag top) it would be interesting to see them up close side by side

on an other note would any of you guy have old, rusted, brocken handle for sale or a picture of them on different angles to compare to the MB one

one more thing , can anyone give me the dimension of the 2 bars OD thickness of the metal , anything I can use to make new one,

A couple more SWT specific items.
Female part of the latching mechanism.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217981146.jpg

Shot of the handles
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217981446.jpg

Spacer sleeve
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1217981619.jpg

I didn't take measurements of the frame. Wish I had now.

those picture are great,

what is the function of the little slotted screw

the bar can easily be reproduced, so are the female bit,, it just the handle

I went to see a gut tonight whao has equipment to do metal casting and such, I might be able to rent them from someone (ill pay full price ahead and take the money back after and pay for shipping

Ask and ye shall receive.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1218164510.jpg

Excellent info guys!

handles
 

Rumor has it that the chrome handles are ffrom the same supplier and identical to Mercedes 230/250/280SL soft top handles.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=130512016739

I'll leave it to the experts to decide.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1313781364.jpg

That is what I have read and by the looks of it is correct from your picture, although no expert I do have a swt in the garage. And as I am sure you know Porsche put the handle on the fixed half of the system (targa bar) and the socket is on the bow.

Regards

swt handle
 

i actually bought a pair of those and they do look exactly the same , BUT they are not , the handles are about 10% bigger and will not go in the hole in the targa bar, the bolt spacing to mount them is NOT the same , BUT the cam part is the same

they can be made to work but you also have to modify and grind and the upholstery inside , but if you start from scratch , they will fit

I think there was a guy up in canada, who posted here, who makes complete new kits with handles and all. You might try doing a search here.

Here you go:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/424871-soft-window-targa-kit-should-i-build-them.html

I wonder if anybody has installed a vinyl window in a later Targa just to save on the weight of the glass.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/207018-targa-vs-coupe-weight.html