Targa to Cab Hardware Questions

TronCarter · 03-28-2010, 10:05 AM

Overall, my plan is to purchase a Targa and convert it to a Cabriolet. I realize that there are some differences in the latching mechanism at least starting in mid-85 and perhaps at other times as well. I have done quite a bit of searching and have learned a lot about the process. Some of the info does seem a bit conflicting, therefore I respectfully ask the following questions:

My budget puts me somewhere in the early to mid-80's, so is there any advantage or disadvantage to either style of latch?
NRauto seems to have a kit for the conversion, but from what I have read from other sources, it seems that their kit is for the earlier version of latch. Their kits are $3500-4600, depending on whether it is manual or powered.
I am leaning towards a powered top for the same reason that I like power windows. Both function the same, but power is "neat". Are there any inherent problems with the power units?
Are the brackets (b-post and deck) the same for all years?
My rough plan is to purchase a used top and make the brackets myself. I have access to a full machine shop and I have a decent set of skills. I have seen used tops (frame and top) for less than $1000. Does anyone see any problems with my thinking?

Thank you for your time and I appreciate your comments.

Tron

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

Why not just buy a Cab? An 83 - 84 Cab will not be any more or less than a 83-84 Targa. You wont have a system that is worthless on resale (rigged and homemade), and you wont have destroyed an otherwise good targa. Not sure why you would buy a targa and spend 4k changing it to a cab when cabs are readily available. Save your 4k for a suspension upgrade, etc. just my .02.

dad911 · 03-28-2010, 01:12 PM

I agree with Brad, if you want a cab buy a cab.

Don't flame me, but have you considered/driven a boxster? I've owned just about every 911 from a '71, sc, 87 cab, various 964s and 993s and 2004 gt3, but I bought a boxster to convert for spec-racing. Having driven it on the street, it is a fun car, blast to drive. Also less expensive than a sc/carrera/964 cab.

TronCarter · 03-28-2010, 01:40 PM

Hmm, certainly something to consider. I have considered a boxster as well and they are great cars. I have to admit that some of my motivation for a 911 is not really rational, but perhaps quite a few people can relate to. Back in the late 70's, when I could barely ride a bike, someone a few blocks away owned one and used to drive by occasionally. I have vivid memories of seeing and hearing it drive by and dreaming of owning one some day. The 911 is the first car I loved and I have wanted one ever since.

I love to wrench on things and the targa to cab conversion seemed like a fun project. Kind of the way I have been looking at it is that Targas are quite a bit more common and therefore I stand a much better chance of finding one in my area for a pretty good deal (if I am patient and keep looking). The cabs that I have seen for sale lately have been quite a bit more scarce and several thousand more $$. With that being the case, finding a color combination that I like, in my price range is a little more difficult.

Brad makes an interesting point about resale value. While I would rather make it something that I enjoy than something that someone else sees value in, you never know what the financial future may hold. I get the feeling that something that is titled as a targa and is a cab, or something that has the dreaded 'salvage' title is somehow tainted and you will get taken to the cleaners on resale.

The thing that the 911's have and the boxsters don't have (at least to the same degree) is a rabid following of devoted fans with books, pictures, advice, stories, parts, and knowledge like I have seen for the 911.

Thanks again.

Tron

Justin@Athens · Justin@Athens's Garage

As a proud '89 targa owner, I am telling you right now, that no matter how cool it is to drive a convertible, the coupe is safer, QUIETER, and a whole lot less prone to LEAKS, theft, sun-damage, and accidentally forgetting to latch the top resulting in no roof and flying debris.

geoz · 03-28-2010, 01:56 PM

just a thought but it might be a good idea to find out how (much) Porsche stiffened the chassis for the Cab. they would have thought about this long & hard; maybe there is little difference but the Targa bar would almost certainly have an impact on stiffness.

unclebilly · unclebilly's Garage

If you do want to do this, a fellow pelican just parted out a Targa - Cab conversion and has ALL THE PARTS.

As far as I know, the cab and targa tubs are identical.

pm me if you want details.

group911@aol.co · 03-28-2010, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoz

just a thought but it might be a good idea to find out how (much) Porsche stiffened the chassis for the Cab. they would have thought about this long & hard; maybe there is little difference but the Targa bar would almost certainly have an impact on stiffness.

Cab or Targa - same chassis. No extra reinforcements.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

After buying my car, i found out it was once a targa. the car is a 1985 and feels solid as a convertable. But, nothing like a coup. I would recomend a manual top and latching system.

gsmith660 · 03-29-2010, 03:59 AM

+1 on the buying a cab I will tell you nrauto may have a kit but when I did my conversion a little over a year ago they kept me on a hook for a while then finally told me they couldn't find a donor top and they command a premium price. Tops are becoming rare I know of 2 guys talking to me about it and are having a hard time finding parts. If you do it I did do some chassis stiffening and I would get the roller latch manual top if I could change anything. Just my 2 cents

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

Back to my original statement. If you want a project, do a suspension upgrade, a brake upgrade, and EFI conversion, an engine rebuild, a Cab top redo, and a complete interior resto, a complete respray in the original color, a complete AC overhaul, and SSI/exhaust upgrade. All will be challenging in their own way and will satisfy the need. Im 32k+ into my 83SC and my list just keeps getting longer. Those kinds of projects are fun, fullfilling, and preserve the overall longevity of the car. A Cab conversion when there are Cab's available, is just throwing money away. There are lots of Cabs for sale. Dont limit yourself to local only.

Good luck with your choice.

group911@aol.co · 03-29-2010, 06:07 AM

If you car is pre 85 and you buy a factory maunal pre 85 top and the factory brackets, it's a pretty easy job. The factory even condoned it and makes a manual on the conversion.
Not sure I'd buy a Targa to convert unless it were otherwise the car of your dreams.
Lots of great cabs out there.

gsmith660 · 03-29-2010, 04:22 PM

I did my conversion since I had already had the car since 82 and my targa top (a 73 mag frame top) was broke and was going to be expensive to fix/restore so I went the route I did.

80-911SC · 80-911SC's Garage

i am definitely not of the save the targa foundation , but this is rather disturbing and raises the question of why destroy one and spend more out than the final product is worth to get what for the same money you can buy ???????

i can see an sc to a 993 or even an sc backdate to a 73 but for the cost of the targa and then add in the conversion couldn't you buy a cab ?????

TronCarter · 03-30-2010, 07:35 AM

I appreciate everyone's input. As far as the price of a cab being the same as the price of a targa or coupe, that has not been my experience when looking. The cabs are $5-6000 more expensive with all other things being equal. If I am patient, I think I could find all of the parts I need for the conversion for under $2,000.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

why destroy one and spend more out than the final product is worth to get what for the same money you can buy ???????

I'm not sure I would say "destroy" in this case. It is even something that Porsche has written a manual on how to do. Also, how many people on here have put $30k+ into their cars and could maybe get half of that back on resale?

Locally (Michigan) there are more targas than cabs available, which is another reason I was leaning that direction. If I consider purchasing a car from the other side of the country, it is not very practical for me to travel there to do an inspection that I am not fully qualified to do at this point. How does one go about getting a PPI done in a city/state where you don't know anyone (and a ballpark figure for the cost), and what is the best way to pay for the car with a certain amount of protection for both the buyer and seller? i.e. a craigslist type offering. At least on ebay there is mention of buyer protection in case the seller rips you off, the car is not as advertised, or it proves to be stolen or something.

brads911sc · brads911sc's Garage

Cabs are not significantly more expensive here in Houston than Targas. These cars are 12-15k in great shape. The difference may be 10% but 6k would be 40%-50%. Id keep looking.

PPI's can be arranged and if you find one Im sure there are local Pelicans who would take a look for you.

gsmith660 · 03-30-2010, 12:37 PM

2000$ nope not for a top and all the trimmings in turn key shape. I bought all the major components for 2500 and spent another 1000-1500 on all the little stuff needed. If you do it yourself and are real careful you MIGHT be able to do it with only minor touch up to your paint but I couldn't. I figure my cab conversion cost me between 4000 and 5000 bucks and I thought I was economical.

gsmith660 · 03-30-2010, 12:45 PM

+1 you still need a PPI even if you buy locally a lot of stuff that you might not catch if you don't know to look for it would be real expensive.

pplkook · 03-30-2010, 01:04 PM

If you want a Cab, buy a Cab (as has been said). If you ware looking for a "fun project" with your P-car, have NO FEAR! There is always something that needs some wrench turning.

Kind of like a boat, start at one end, work the other way, and then start over again.

I wanted a Cab and got one, but it isn't my primary car by any stretch of the imagination, so I don't have to worry about theft, leaks, or even making sure the top closes (unless for a wash).

+1 on the PPI

-Jack

group911@aol.co · 03-30-2010, 01:57 PM

First, I'd go as far west to buy a 911 as possible. We have so much fewer rust issues out west and the SC and 3.2 cars are showing it.
Second, you might be a little optimistic on the parts but there recently was a manual top frame on here that went for $700. Add $600 for a skin if you install yourself, $400 for brackets and that's it for a manual top conversion on a pre 86 targa. That and some labor that is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TronCarter

I appreciate everyone's input. As far as the price of a cab being the same as the price of a targa or coupe, that has not been my experience when looking. The cabs are $5-6000 more expensive with all other things being equal. If I am patient, I think I could find all of the parts I need for the conversion for under $2,000.

I'm not sure I would say "destroy" in this case. It is even something that Porsche has written a manual on how to do. Also, how many people on here have put $30k+ into their cars and could maybe get half of that back on resale?

Locally (Michigan) there are more targas than cabs available, which is another reason I was leaning that direction. If I consider purchasing a car from the other side of the country, it is not very practical for me to travel there to do an inspection that I am not fully qualified to do at this point. How does one go about getting a PPI done in a city/state where you don't know anyone (and a ballpark figure for the cost), and what is the best way to pay for the car with a certain amount of protection for both the buyer and seller? i.e. a craigslist type offering. At least on ebay there is mention of buyer protection in case the seller rips you off, the car is not as advertised, or it proves to be stolen or something.