Soft Targa

[Brian993]

I love the look of the soft targa - Can this be done to a 74 without being permenant, in other words can it easily be reversed. Has anyone attempted this, is it worth it. Keep in mind I have new paint, might be too late....

[Brian993]

Example - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58459

[Jdub]

I'll have to dig up my sales brochures: there are FOUR, count 'em FOUR marketing-type words for the full closed, top off, top and rear off, and rear only off modes.

I love the softtop rear. It can be done, and somebody has done it as I distinctly remember reading about it, but I cannot recall if it was this board or RennList. Check around and I'll see if I can dig it up over the weekend.

Also make sure to check insurance on this change and ensure they will cover you since you are going to be a convertible 2+2 ;> Seriously, it would be a shame to have them "after the fact" you on your change and deny need to pay for any damage/theft that might occur due specifically to the change you are suggesting.

Or maybe not! Sleeping dogs you know!

John

[epbrown]

I've heard that the soft-reared targas were really bad in the body-flex area, and that one reason for going to glass was to improve handling. Something to consider.

Emanuel

[Brian993]

I appreciate what your saying Emanuel. But this car is not for me to race only to cruise. I'll get on it once in a while, but mostly to cruise. Any info would help, I might do this!

[wacky73t]

I'd be real intersted to see if this is possible - if my targa rear window ever broke, it may be cheaper to just convert to soft targa. who knows?

[cegerer]

I think it's a cool idea. Would also like to know what exactly is involved. I suspect it may be difficult to find a soft top unless somebody is making repro's? This special-ordered 69S looks awesome with the soft-top (sorry for poor quality image, scanner's broke):

[john walker's workshop]

just happen to have this 68 912 in the shop. it would be an interesting swap. gotta do things that others haven't done yet. a parts car would be good, as the tensioning hardware under the rollbar is needed. as for an easy swap back to glass, i don't think so. not impossible though. this car has the boot in place.

[69 Soft Targa]

Soft Window was in the books as an option until '71 but '69 appears to be the last any were built. Howard Adams at PCNA sez there were maybe 50-60 total 911 & 912 built for '69. Can anyone provide hard numbers?

It should be possible to convert unless there are body/structural changes I am not aware of on a '74. The window is readily available from Stoddard, Autos International, Parts Obsolete... You would need to find the framework and tensioners. I've seen them for sale on eBay and in the 912 Registry. Gary Emory tells me a lot of the Soft Windows were converted to glass in the early Targa days to "update" to the new look. The Soft Window parts were often discarded...

I'll see what I can find about converting back.

I've heard several comments about the reason for the change to glass.

-US Market did not like to hassle with the zipper.
-On a very cold day if something were tossed in the back it would shatter the window.
-Glass allowed for a defroster.
- etc, etc.

Gotta tell ya I just love mine! 4 options!

The Soft Window was considered the closest thing to a successor to the Speedster.

2 of the descriptions were "Targa Voyage" with top off (Big sunroof) and "Targa Spyder" with top off and window down.

Suns Out! I'm gone!

[cegerer]

Targa Hardtop = top in place

Targa Bel Air = top off

Targa Voyage = window removed

Targa Spyder = top and window removed

The Swiss Army knife of 911s!!

-- Curt

[70flatsix]

My 1970 911E targa with "soft/foldable rear window" was manufactured 11/23/69. Spent three years locating what I thought was the "right 911." I love the look with the targa top off and the rear window in its boot!

I considered performing the same conversion. While searching for a car, I found various soft window parts for sale on ebay over the last few years, but never the whole assembly. And most of the parts I found were for swb models/years. I gave up on the idea! I imagine it would take quite a bit of time and perseverance to accumulate all the necessary items to transform your car into a soft window targa.

Have only had my car five-six months. I'm still sorting the car out and dumping more money into it than my wife knows about!

A few additional thoughts about the conversion from a glass window to a soft window.

The top and plastic window are quite stiff, especially when cold. Porsche does not recommend removal of the rear window when the temp is 65 degrees or below. The plastic window is also easily scratched. Replacement cost installed for a new soft rear window is approximately $650-$700.

Insurance company's and Porsche consider the car to be a 2 seater, not a 2 + 2, when the rear window is down. Of course who uses the back seat for sitting anyway!

For what its worth - I'd enjoy what you have and be on the lookout for another Porsche, one manufactured with a "soft/foldable rear window."

Hope this helps. I'm enjoying the hell out of mine!!

[Brian993]

I think your right. I have abandoned the idea of a conversion. I will be on the lookout for a project soft top. Once my garage is built I will need a project in it, and if I can find the right one, who knows.

Thanks

[Rick Cabell]

I am currently restoring a 68S soft window targa. If you just wanted the window dowm and never put it in place,then that would not be that big a deal. If you wanted it to function like it should as in the real thing,then that would be a big deal. There is some tricky latch hardware incorperated into the roll bar that accomodates the rear window attaching to it. There are cam locks that snug the roof to the roll bar that would take a hell of a lot of work to duplicate. Also there is some attachment points at the area above the rear engine lid. When I disisembled it I took pics to be sure everything went back together as designed. I knew it would be a year or two from taking it apart and putting it back together. Just to locate the metal framework would be a hunt. It's true that the soft window Targa is as close to a true convertable as you can get.

[jpnovak]

I am currently doing this same conversion on my 71. YOu will have one hell of a time locating parts. I was able to come by a complete set of hoops and tensioners for not too much money. I am missing some of the hardware but I believe that can be sourced.

You will need the following parts:

1) The two top hoops. ONe is fixed on the lower edge and one swings down to fold the top.

2) The two tensioning handles. These attach to the folding hoop and latch the top tight. These would be very difficult to duplicate. There is a RH and LH version for each side respectively.

3) latch points that attach to targa/roll bar. Here is where you need to look to see if you can convert your car. Get in the back seat(difficult in itself) carefully peel back the interior cover for the targa bar. ONly pull just enough to "spy" on the internals. Look between the rear glass seal and the now moved cover. about 8" from the curve of the targa bar there will be a small tab with a hole in the center (3/4") and two smaller holes on each side. This is where the latch points attach. YOu will have to cut openings in the targa interior cover to make it all work.

4) soft targa top. These are kinda expensive. about $350 for an aftermarket version. Not sure of the quality of the peice. I am not sure if factory originals are available or not($$$$).

5) soft window targa seal. this is a new seal that attaches all the way around the window base and targa hoop. again about $400+ depending on source.

The factory manuals have a two page spread outlining the conversion of hard to soft window. I have a copy somewhere. I will see if I can locate and fax/email it to you.

good luck

Jamie

[cegerer]

70flatsix indicates that the soft windows from the Short Wheel Base models will not fit the LWB 69-73 models?? True?