Targa top Tech

carsinc · 10-22-2008, 11:45 AM

Targa Top Tech Hook Latch

I have had several calls the last few weeks about Targa tops flying off. These stories came from people with the Hook style Latch that has a built in safety, or does it. This style top has two hooks latch on each side of the front arms. One of them turns when latching, the second one doesn’t. The second one only works when the top is unlatched and works when push a little over center.

This is a maintenance issue as it turns out. The safety hook latch needs to be lubricated with penetrating oil and then with light oil so that it works freely. For when it doesn’t it sticks in the open position and thus no safety on that side and folks one latch at speed will not hold the top on the car. Also the latch it self is often damage because of the frozen safety hook. Some times the latch can be repaired thought the latches or arms must be removed to do so.

Every Targa top I see for service I work the latch to check if it is working properly. Then I give them a drop of oil. E mail with questions.

gshase · 10-22-2008, 01:11 PM

That must be an eye opener at 80 mph. Thanks for that information.

carsinc · 10-22-2008, 01:21 PM

Just thank about the person behind.

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Hey Dan!

Great to see you again! Your Front Seal Is Great! Thanks for a Perfect Product!

Once again thanks for the pointer, you the Targa God!

Jim

Hugh R · 10-22-2008, 01:55 PM

Thanks, oiling tonight when I get home!

carsinc · 10-22-2008, 02:20 PM

Often the hook is so frozen I have to grab it with a vise grip and use that to get it to move back and forth. I believe this more sever when the car is hosed near water for corrosion sets in.

craigyirush · 10-22-2008, 03:00 PM

Could somebody post a picture of this type of top.

Would an '86 Carrera have one?

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigyirush

Could somebody post a picture of this type of top.

Would an '86 Carrera have one?

I believe '86 was the first year of the roller-latch style. Look at the part that rotates into the holes at the top of the windshield. If it has hooks, it's the hook, if there are little rollers, it's roller style, simple as that.

Hope this helps.

Paul.

CrossT · 10-22-2008, 03:31 PM

Have there been issues with the later roller style latch failing, or are they more trouble free?

todd
89 targa

HarryD · 10-22-2008, 10:42 PM

Dan,

Again with great advice. After reading this article, I looked at my '73 top. I was able to easily push the safety catch back with my finger and when released it swung back to it's ready position. Since I have done nothing to it in the 6 years I owned the car. Each latch got a shot of tri-flow lube.

You are the man!!

81white911 · 10-23-2008, 01:58 AM

The Targa top got eaten by mice a few years ago, I have the new top and liner fabric, and was thinking about repair this winter.

Has anyone done this indoors? Or is it required to lay it out in the sun to stretch.

I do have a 500W heat lamp. Restaurant style.

Any recommendations on the mesh that holds the metal panels together?

Specific brands of glue?

I have the Pelican tech letter on targa tops.

If anyone does this on the side or knows someone thats resonable, Let me know and ill UPS it out.

I got all winter

DanS911 · DanS911's Garage

UMMMMMMMM anybody? anybody?

The original poster is the guy you are looking for. Get it done professionally, it is worth it.......ask me how I know

carsinc · 10-23-2008, 07:06 AM

The roller latch tops were fly offs also. This was due to the breaking of the early latches. The stop roll pin would shear off causing it to move in and out and rotate 360 degrees. This style latch was replaced in 90. One latch will not hold top on above 50 mph, you need them both.

carsinc · 10-25-2008, 02:44 PM

Problem with Targa top restoration is not installing the vinyl or headliner. This is only a level 6 of difficulty. This why Local shops could do job some years ago. Not today, for the two reinforcement layers need performed on all tops more than 15 years old. The factory after all only used only burlap for the stage two reinforcement. That is what was used when the Targas were first made in 1967 and the factory never upgraded.

In order to do a top today every piece of material must be removed and when that is done it is impossible to keep the panels in the proper position and the top square. Some article say to use your car as a fixture to keep the top square, but wait that is where half the gluing must be done, on the under size.

I am building a 2.4 T motor this week end ant this is only 7 or 8 level of difficulty. Doing Stages 2 and 3 are a 10 level of difficulty. Building a Targa top is the most precise thing I do. The top when built needs to be less than 1/8' from being square over a 50" span. That is less than 1/4% of 1%.

I wish for all of the Targa owners this was more simple, but it isn't.

Questions welcome.

carsinc · 10-26-2008, 06:59 AM

Recent e mail. get the word out about the factory seal being incorrect.

Hi, I recently bought a genuine seal for my targa windscreen top here in Australia, fitted it and proceeded to break both targa latches where the handles fit in. I've now read after throwing out my old seal that you provide an aftermarket one that fits? Do you also have latches?

Thanks for any help,