DIY soft window targa conversion

[jpnovak]

I have been collecting parts for my soft window conversion for several years. I originally wanted a SWT but funds did not allow when I was shopping for my 911 so I thought I could do a conversion. The chassis through 73 should be set up for the SWT parts but no one knows until it all comes apart. Here are some somewhat step by step instructions to convert your early targa.

First you have to find the parts. There are two hoops, upper and lower. The lower hoop separates in two sections that are inserted into the top. The lower hoop has three blind nuts welded in place to fix the top to the tub. The upper hoop matches the contour of the targa bar. Each hoop has a hole in the end where they bolt to the tub.


Here is a picture from Mark Wilson of the upper hoop.



Next there are a set of handles, a set of recepticles that attach to the handles and upper hoop, lots of hardware including a few rod ends for the lower hoop, the top itself and some tabs that weld to the rear deck.

Here are the handles.


First you have to remove the stainless targa cover, rear glass and interior targa padding, rear deck, side panels and rear side tops. You will also have to remove the interior sound pad once the rear deck is out. This will be glued down.\

Once these parts are removed you need to look for a few mounting points. First are the holes to locate the tension handles. They will be in the targa bar just inboard of the targa top pin recepticles. There will be one on each side.


Next you have to locate the lower mounting points for the two hoops. These are found at the base of the targa bar. I had to clearance a support rib for the hoop to fit. The lower hoop fits on the outside of the targa bar and the upper hoop goes to the inside.

[jpnovak]

Next we have to mock up the handles. The mounting holes on a factory SWT have blind nuts in the holes. This car was not delivered with such so I had to install them myself. Out comes the rivet tool. I used #10 machine screws since they fit perfectly in the holes.

[jpnovak]

Next is the installation of the tabs to hold the lower hoop. If you look at the chassis there will be three indentations in the rear pinch weld/seal seam. THere is one in the middle and one to each side near the "corner" bend. They are positioned on the flat that holds the rear deck hinge mount.

The tabs are welded so that one side is just off center for the hole. I test fit these ahead of time with the bare hoop. ONce located weld them in place.




Now you are ready for install. First check that the recepticles fit the upper hoop.




If satisfactory, insert the two hoops into the top. They will support the top when centered.

!!

[jpnovak]

Next, Fit top to the tub. It will be difficult to get the upper hoop to fit under the lip of the targa bar. Do not cut the top in this process. The two hoops sandwich the targa bar. NOTE: the handles and recepticles must be removed from the tub at this point. They will be installed later from below.

The factory used a large coarse thread wood screw into the outer hoop. I drilled and tapped for an M6 machine screw. This screw inserts from the inside, through the outer hoop, through the targa bar and threads into the lower hoop outside the targa bar.


finally, push down on the rear of the lower hoop and attach the rod ends to the rear deck tabs.


to tension the top, adjust the rod ends so the rear hoop sits down inside the seal channel. The hoop matches the contour. When satisfied, tighten the fixing bolts to the tabs.

Next install the handles. The handles will slip into their mounting holes under the hoop. Insert the recepticles onto the handle and offer them up to the tub. Secure the handles with the hardware defined above. NOTE: there are right and left handles and recepticles. Make sure to get the correct ones. The handles swing towards the center of the car.

Insert the recepticle mounting hardware. These are M6 hex cap screws that secure into blind nuts on the hoop. make sure the handles are open at this point or you will not be able to fit the bolts.


Close the handles to tension top.



Stand back and check your work.



Remeber, never unzip the top unless the handles are detensioned.

Drop the tops and enjoy the ride!!

[Rot 911]

Excellent work!

[Par911]

Awesome job Jamie! Now that is a classic throwback.

[jpnovak]

Thanks, That was the easy part. Now it all has to come apart to be painted and powdercoated. I also have to clearance the interior padding for the handles, trim the stainless targa cover to clerance the lower hoop and a bunch of other things. Oh yeah, the car is also coming apart for paint... It never ends...

[911SCfanatic]

AWESOME, Jamie!

[PhatRedHead]

looks very nice!!! if i can't find a glass guy in the very near future i might be studying this thread alot more closely!!

[K. Roman]

This may be the first write up of this backdate ever! Def should be put into print. Great job, can't wait to see it when finished.

[Joeaksa]

Jamie,

Very nice write up and cannot wait to see it all powdercoated and back on the car!

Been talking with a friend of ours and looks like I am going to buy his parts. He said that you had mentioned that one piece was missing? Any idea where to find one or have it made?

Thanks,

Joe A

[jpnovak]

Joe, I think that set of parts is missing one of the rod ends that attaches to the lower hoop. This is seen in the second picture. There are two and there should be three. A standard metric rod end should work in its place. At worst, you can buy unthreaded, undrilled and you die the correct threads and cut to length. Otherwise it is a very complete kit sans top material.

You will need to look at the targa bar to see if you can fit the handles. It would not be difficult to drill the required holes but if the required recessed, flat indentations are not present There would not be enough clearance. I suppose you could cut and weld a section from an early car that met its demise.

Jamie, that's outstanding. You may start a trend here!!!

[hkspwrsche]

Good work.. nice original version on an early car..
Wonder why someone couldnt build an aftermarket version for about 4-5 hundred...for an sc targa.... maybe just a snap on or rail version like a jeep soft top. Since it wouldnt look original on an SC anyway...

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by jpnovak
Joe, I think that set of parts is missing one of the rod ends that attaches to the lower hoop. This is seen in the second picture. There are two and there should be three. A standard metric rod end should work in its place. At worst, you can buy unthreaded, undrilled and you die the correct threads and cut to length. Otherwise it is a very complete kit sans top material.

You will need to look at the targa bar to see if you can fit the handles. It would not be difficult to drill the required holes but if the required recessed, flat indentations are not present There would not be enough clearance. I suppose you could cut and weld a section from an early car that met its demise.

Jamie,

Thanks and my idea was to just retrofit an early Targa bar onto the car. Otherwise can drill and recess the two holes.

Thx,

Joe

[FrayAdjacent911]

Jamie, nice work man! I can't wait to see it up close! That car is going to look SO nice once you get that soft window done, and get the car painted!

Maybe someday if I get a Targa, I might have to do the same thing!

[Joeaksa]

Jamie,

Do you have any pics of the car now that its painted?

joe A

[jpnovak]

I revived this thread to show the final product. Today I drove the var for the first time in 19 months. The last year and a half were filled with disassembly and media blasting. A nice clean bare metal surface was the result. Then there were weekends of sanding, cleaning, etch priming, high-build, more sanding, even more sanding and then progress came to a hault. My son, Matthew, arrived and it took me 5 months to get two weekends worth of work done and deliver the car to the painter.

After about 4 weeks I get a call that the car is done. I pick it and all the body panels up and then they proceed to sit in my garage. That was last May (2006)!

Many months go by and I finally convince my wife that I need more time to put the car together. I spend a few nights a week in the garage turning wrenches. Two weeks ago, I turned the key. The car started on the second attempt. I think it was happy to be alive after so many months of dormancy.

The past two weeks have been a flurry of activity to get ready for the EarlyS/RGruppe drive/rally here in Austin. I wanted to drive the targa and knew it would be a good motivator to finish it. Today It left the driveway on its own power. I drove it to work.

After a year and a half of driving the ST (think race suspension and full cage) All i could think of was how soft the car was and how much cowl shake and rear shake there was. Without the rear glass the car feels unsettled over stutter bumps. I know this will take some getting used to. That will happen by the time I get home tonight. time to go get some miles in at lunch. I have to burn off all that pickling oil inside the combustion chamber.

[jkarolyi]

Looks great Jamie! There are some stabilizer bars out there made specifically for targas that supposedly solve some of the cowl shake problems. Does it really make a difference in the cowl shake without the glass window? I didn't know that window was structural.

Congrats on getting your car back on the road!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's very cool.