Targa Tops problems

carsinc · 11-19-2012, 10:52 AM

The Targa Top is a very technical unique item. It is as unique and technical as a 911 engine. We would not let a Chevy guy rebuild our 911 motor but we allow the equivalent, a local shop to work on our Targa Top.

The tops coming in for are in very poor condition not only due to age but to poor workmanship by local shops. Top frames are being bent or modified and thus more parts are needed to correct these problems. one tops are on the edge of being economical infeasible to fix.

The Targa Top is a maintenance item and should be looked upon as such. 20 years is just about he max before a rebuild is in order.

Questions and comments welcome.

M.D. Holloway · 11-19-2012, 11:19 AM

I been thinking about the fiberglass tops...searching for a frame. Any ideas?

Dave Colangelo · Dave Colangelo's Garage

In some ways they are what they are. I often see people complain about there older 911's relating to problems just like this. I have found that people often seem to forget these cars are in some cases 30 or more years old and things wear out over time. Its just the nature of the beast in many cases. I love my Targa but I know that the roof needs attention more so than a coupe roof. I knew this going into the car and its something I live with. I have seen the fiberglass options and they are nice but I will be getting a saratoga top before I get a fiberglass one. Maybe there is a business opportunity here to start reproducing OEM spec targa tops at a decent price.

Regards
Dave

carsinc · 11-19-2012, 12:42 PM

1. The after market Targa top has a 100% return rate because of fitment issues. They suffer the same problems in the same way that the Saratoga tops had problems. They buckle at the latch area and push the corners up.
2. I get in frames all the time that have been modified to accept a fiberglass shell that now are trying to be used to turn the top back in to a stock top.
3. The only hardtop worth anything is the factory top which latches like a 914 top.
4. I sell rebuilt tops for the different year Targa's . For example the 70-73 top sells restored for $2100.

T77911S · 11-19-2012, 02:54 PM

i would rather a chevy mech build my motor before i would let him build my top. i figure he could at least get on here and read and build my motor, not much help with the top and i definitely think experience is needed for the top. there are not many things that i wont attempt to repair, my top was one of them, even after i started to do it, i thought it best to let you finish it.

NoYouRelax · NoYouRelax's Garage

I will most likely get my top done at carsinc, but I always like to try things myself first. I am an engineer with patience. I also considered a fiberglass top as a temporary top while the targa top is being re-done. I am also looking at a Carbrella as I plan to drive top off a lot. With the top off, I do not want to fold and crease the refurbished targa top often, but of course the weather dictates what will happen too. Looking forward to a good sunburn.

Mikey83835 · Mikey83835's Garage

The bad news - I have 2 Targas with 3 tops, the top for the '81 SC is very average, the top I got with my '74 widebody was kinda' kool, has the pebble-grain texture of the Euro tops, but one latch and one alignment pin were broken and the rain rails (terminology?) looked like someone had taken a chainsaw to them, so I got a beater top for it but with good latches and pins, so don't have to worry about it flying off at speed,

The good news - I usually only put them on for an hour or so once a year for their yearly bath, (cars are only driven in dry weather, mostly sit in the garage under covers) rest of the time tops are folded under the hood for unforeseen rain,

Altho' at some point in the future I was going to have you rebuild all 3 of them, or was when I thought you charged about $1000, I may rethink that now that I know you charge $2100, sigh, heeh heeh,

HarryD · 11-19-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

The bad news - I have 2 Targas with 3 tops, the top for the '81 SC is very average, the top I got with my '74 widebody was kinda' kool, has the pebble-grain texture of the Euro tops, but one latch and one alignment pin were broken and the rain rails (terminology?) looked like someone had taken a chainsaw to them, so I got a beater top for it but with good latches and pins, so don't have to worry about it flying off at speed,

The good news - I usually only put them on for an hour or so once a year for their yearly bath, (cars are only driven in dry weather, mostly sit in the garage under covers) rest of the time tops are folded under the hood for unforeseen rain,

Altho' at some point in the future I was going to have you rebuild all 3 of them, or was when I thought you charged about $1000, I may rethink that now that I know you charge $2100, sigh, heeh heeh,

I think you are confused. Rebuilding your top should cost around $1k. Getting a complete replacement top is the higher price. Check with Dan.

ScottT80 · 11-20-2012, 04:49 PM

My '81 SC is nearing needing a top rebuild. Whats the going rate on a SC top rebuild thats in decent original shape? Once rebuilt, do they fold easily? I have never folded mine for fear of damaging it.

HarryD · 11-20-2012, 06:22 PM

ScottT
Dan P charges up to $1k to rebuild. While folding will EVENTUALLY damage the top, I figure it will give me 15+ years of service before I even need to think about a rebuild. Besides why should I diminish my pleasure for the next owner. The top was designed to fold!

wearl · 11-21-2012, 06:07 AM

i put new vinyl and headliner on my top myself. it is not easy but if you take your time and think things out, you can get good results. my top webbing ,frame was in pretty good shape , just sagging headliner, cracks in vinyl where folded. i did mine in summer and putting vinyl on table outside on 90 deg days made stretching vinyl really a lot easier.

sean m · sean m's Garage

I never fold mine. Fits great right behind the driver and passenger seats without folding it. Then again.....I'm 5'9 so there's plenty of room behind my seat

wearl · 11-21-2012, 01:33 PM

i won't fold mine any more either. i got the front and reat seams pointing down slightly against body and it really cut down on wind noise. i was going to take pictures of headliner but forgot.

nowaydude · 09:15 AM

Wearl: Did the vinyl come as a KIT? LOOKs Good

timmy2 · timmy2's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by nowaydude

Wearl: Did the vinyl come as a KIT? LOOKs Good

Porsche 911 Targa & Cabriolet Parts - Page 1
Vinyl, headliner and padding kit are all on this page.

sean m · sean m's Garage

All,
I did the top and headliner myself. The main thing is to make sure you do the top on a warm day (so the top will stretch out properly). Plenty of posts of step by step to get it right.
It looks great.

wearl · 11-22-2012, 02:58 PM

i bought the kit on ebay. it came with vinyl and headliner 99.00. the vinyl and headliner look exactly like the original. i think the ebay vinyl is a tad thinner . i bought the burlap from hobby lobby. i had trouble finding the very thin foam that goes between the vinyl and burlap. i looked everywhere, but i was over my buddys house and he had put in some laminate flooring and the faom under layment he had used under the flooring. worked perfect plus gave the vinyl more support . i believe that foam will last longer to. the clips are a bear. go to lowes and get new screws.