Saratoga [Targa] Top - making it work

[sobamaflyer]

I posted my find (and excitement about it) in my thread a couple of weeks ago where I'd asked for help, but since there are so many Targa owners and some (like me) might find this interesting, I'm following up....

Briefly, I got this great Saratoga Top but it was from an 86-89, I have a '75 and needed/wanted to make it work. Secondly these tops have a somewhat known issue of having their 25+ year old glue let go and I'd like to try and prevent that.

This first picture shows the top with the roller-style latches it came with, sitting next to the front bar from the earlier style top with it's latches:



I quickly ditched plan A of retrofitting my older style latches (and I was still worried about separation. Taking a cue from a couple of the new fiberglass top's mounting systems I decided to mount from the front aligmnent pin locations.



So I drilled through the Lexan and now have a carriage bolt snugged up on the top threaded through the captured bolt in the fiberglass support. It's not exactly elegant (but neither is the rest of my poor franken-Porsche) and it seems to be working very well.





Mounted in the car, I'll try to find something a little nicer, like a knob


Gratuitous shots on the test run:





OK, disclaimers and then I'm very open to critique, suggestions, etc. My car is so far from some of the factory fresh beauties on here it's not even funny, and it has a long way to go (so please be kind). Also, I know of the luke warm feelings by many about these tops but I'm stuck on them. And after having it on the car I love it!

So far I've put about 50 miles on the car w/ the top in place, a good portion of that was on the highway between 70 and 80mph. There is no lift or gap at the front whatsoever (and I have and old, much less than perfect front seal. There is wind noise but I have no frame of reference to know if it's more or less than a good (or bad) folding top.

So, while I reserve the right to update, revise or cry, in the future I'm hoping maybe I've posed a possible solution for some to make some of these aging, cool accessories continue to be functional.

Travis

[SinCityCarrera]

There is absolutely nothing better than a Saratoga top for Targas in my opinion. I have one on my black 84 Carrera. Had it on my yellow 74 for a bit too. Im in Vegas and driving down the strip and looking up at all the lights THROUGH my roof is pretty sweet! Id build a car around that top! Your car looks great! Enjoy!

[snbush67]

Similar:

Budget Targa Top - Super lite

Shane

[Winter]

Looks good to me, Travis. I think you be able to find a knob or something similar to enhance the interior appearance and replace the butterfly nut. But if you can't and it works, well, the hell with it! Sometimes functionality matters more than looks.

While I'll stick with my factory hard top, I think the Saratoga is an interesting option, glad it's working out for you!

[sobamaflyer]

Thanks y'all, I'm really enjoying it!

Shane, I read through that whole thread a while back, very nice work!

[RSTarga]

I have both a Saratoga top and original top for my 73. The Saratoga is nice in the winter but gets very hot in the summer. Also when you want to take it off where do you stow It? It creaks a bit too although with less wind noise than the original.

[sobamaflyer]

Will it not fit in the trunk as the factory hardtop did in pre-brake booster cars?

I haven't tried it yet as she's down this week for a bit of maintenance.

[snbush67]

It looks like the front edge is sealing down nicely for you, it is probably a better seal because you have the bolts heads securing the lexan rather than just through the frame. Good Job, I think I will try to form a a thicker piece of lexan for my application I get some wind noise at high speeds I think the thicker lexan would be better.

Shane

[sobamaflyer]

Thanks, yes, I'm pretty pleased w/ how nicely "cinched down" it is on the leading edge w/ the bolt tie downs. I've made it a point to put it on snug but not overtighten. Do you know if there is a danger of the lexan splitting at my drill holes? I beveled the edges w/ my dremel and it seemed far from brittle as I drilled it.

Like I said, I don't have a good frame of reference on the wind noise, it's not awful, but it's far from quiet. I have yet to adjust the passenger window a little bit to eliminate a gap on that side (driver's side sealed up nice luckily) and the muffler still is most prominent.

[snbush67]

I am not sure about the lexan cracking, I suppose if it got a good jolt it could crack. Perhaps you should use something to reinforce the hole, and cushion the contact such as nylon or rubber washers.

[NOLAsc]

Originally Posted by sobamaflyer

Like I said, I don't have a good frame of reference on the wind noise, it's not awful, but it's far from quiet.

Gotta be quieter than mine was today at speed without the roof.



I was, however, happy to be able to hear my low-tech stereo over the din of wind noise on my flight back to Mandeville. Should have worn more sunscreen.

You've got a nice car Travis.



Shawn

[beamonk]

Shawn, it was good meeting you today, sorry i didn't get to say bye! Hope the in law gig went well!

[FLYONWALL9]

Where was this and what kind of meet was it? I would really like to get on the mail list so I can meet some of you fine folks!

sobamaflyer,
I just noticed you are in Mobile, I'm in Daphne. We can put my car on the interstate and you can see how bad an out of adjustment and loose vinyl top can sound. Maybe when I get my prototype top working we can try fitment on your car. I feel the more cars I try it on the better pool of information I can have. That is if you don't mind. I would also like to meet with our local owners, I don't know a soul....

[NOLAsc]

Originally Posted by FLYONWALL9

Where was this and what kind of meet was it? I would really like to get on the mail list so I can meet some of you fine folks!

FLYONWALL, check out this story: Found 30 Years Later. Lots of posts about the event toward the end of the thread. It was a Cancer Society fundraiser in Carriere, Miss. near Picayune. Very nice time. Great people. Perfectly done jambalaya and barbeque.

It was also on the Magnolia region Porsche club site.

John... It was good to meet you (and Howard and Travis and others) too. I'd have liked to have stayed longer, but I'm glad I bolted when I did. They were just starting with the family photos at the in-law's 80th when I got there. Perfect timing. Hey... shoot me a PM or email sometime when you come to New Orleans.

Shawn

[sobamaflyer]

Man did I have a blast yesterday! The food was great, the weather was perfect and the blast through MS in the company of a bunch of Porsches was too much fun. It was awesome to be surrounded by car guys again, thank you ALL so much for including me and making me feel welcome. Just like Shawn I was dumb and forgot my sunscreen, something the 2 hour drive back home in the open car was starting to highlight

Flyonwall: I live in Saraland but work in Fairhope, we definately have to meet up as I too had been searching for some sort of Porsche activity close to us. This weekend's adventure was due to that 30 years later threat really. But it seems there's an awful lot going on w/ the 040 guys over in MS. I heard talk of them going to a cruise-in Malbis the 3rd Sat each month (that I didn't know about) so I'll definitely be trying to make that.

In the interest of updating my own thread: My Saratoga is performing wonderfully, I've added a cut down strip of weatherstrip that marries to my [tired old] header bar rubber and seems to help a bit. It's been tested to ...umm...about 90....without incident. I usually stow it behind my seats (as you see below) unless my son is in the car where yes, it DOES fit in the front (since I don't have a brake booster) but I'm less than comfortable w/ that arrangement as it has to sit w/ it's weight over the battery and a bit.

[dicklague]

If you have not found a knob, check McMaster.com they have EVERYTHING.

[beamonk]

For any new 040 guys, we have a track day coming up on Friday, april 29 at the little talledega Grand Prix raceway. It is $150 for a full day of private track rental, hanging out and a lot of fun. Shawn, we tried to go to NOLA after the show to meet our apt. mate for dinner. We couldn't find a park anywhere near the 1/4. Howie went back to robert's i decided to forge it back to tuscaloosa. LOOOONG day but it was good doing an extended high speed run in my car!

[NOLAsc]

French Quarter Fest sometimes seems more crowded and harder to deal with than Jazz Fest. But it's fun. And free! Debating taking the kids down there today.

[C ANDERSON]

Really enjoyed the company yesterday I see you made it home OK Travis. We hung around a while longer then stopped off in Gulfport at a cruise in untill the rain started. That was a long trip for many of you and we really appreciate the support for the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, Thanks go out for Dr. Robert Lopez for his hospitality. If I was smarter I would have put on the suncreen that was in the car ! Travis if you ever need help with the car we have in our group people specialized in evey aspect of building a car as you have seen in the FOUND 30 YEARS LATER thread. Hope to you all soon.

Clifton

[C ANDERSON]

Forgot to add that "O40 RACING ' has a Face book page listed as 040 racing that you can keep up with our events .

Clifton