Is this normal for both doors to open and close this way??
 

Still in looking for my first Porsche, so I'm trying to weed out the cars that have had much, if any body repair.

I've looked at two Targas--77 & 86 that when you open the door (right or left) it springs open about 5 inches.

Then when starting with the door open half-way, and you depress and hold the outside door latch then slowly push the the door towards the closed position, there is resistance starting around 5 inches out from the closed stop. Is this normal? Thanks in advance! J.R.

Just ordered my Pelican Parts CD! :D

what? not on my car.

That would seem possibly normal for cars with fresh seals. Otherwise, the resistance you feel might be along the lines of a sprung body.

I guess I'd keep looking? My Targa circa '78 closes with that solid sound, both sides.

Jw

Keep looking. Although new door rubber could contribute to the slight springing, 5" seems excessive. Another cause may be that the upper cover on the door panels have been recovered. When I redid mine, the extra material took a little while to compress.

FWIW, my 78 Targa doors even open and close easily when one end of the car is positioned on jack stands. on some Targa's and cabs the frame has been weakened overtime and enables the frame to twist.