Composite Targa Top Development

[snbush67]

Wow! excellent work!

Have you weighed the finished top yet? I'm guessing it is around 15 lbs.

Shane

[911SauCy]

I've been watching this come along...

Can't wait for them to be available...my top is the '78 original and I am not dropping the coin it costs to refurb it.

This will be a fantastic substitute/upgrade/weight saver!!

[toddc]

Shane, tops not done yet, so no. Bit so far the skins feel light and stiff. Im guessing that we will be under 15lbs

[strikee]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

I've been watching this come along...

Can't wait for them to be available...my top is the '78 original and I am not dropping the coin it costs to refurb it.

This will be a fantastic substitute/upgrade/weight saver!!

This raises an important question. Cost of this top vs refurbishment. Mine is up for a refurb soon so I am waiting patiently for a price guideline.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by strikee

This raises an important question. Cost of this top vs refurbishment. Mine is up for a refurb soon so I am waiting patiently for a price guideline.

comparing a folding top to our version is not a fair comparison. while they both serve the same general purpose they are completely different. it would be like comparing a 2.2 to a 3.6 - yes they are both porsche engines and they both move 911s but that is where the similarities end. that being said purchasing a refurbished top from dan at cars inc runs in the $2600-3000 range (last i heard) for a point of reference. of course it would be cheaper to send him a top and have it refurbished but again that is not a fair comparison to our version as ours is the entire piece and we don't convert or refurb folding tops into what you see in this thread. add to that the fact that we not only have to make the top but have all the pieces made that are NLA like the plates (front and rear), guide pins, side seals, latches, etc etc and the difference becomes even greater.


more updates....

front guide pins are done



bottom being trimmed and fitted to the top



top skin removed from the mold

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by toddc

Shane, tops not done yet, so no. Bit so far the skins feel light and stiff. I'm guessing that we will be under 15lbs

Nice! I am pretty sure the stock top weighs in at 23-25 lbs. so your top will contribute about one horse power, that is pretty sweet for an inanimate object.

[Howard M]

As a point of reference the factory hard top (mine!) weighs 28 lbs. My folding top, 22. I ride around with the hard top and autocross with the lighter, folding top (needed for bracing). An even lighter top sounds great, as long as it provides the structure the Targa requires.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by antares

Gee I did'nt mean to piss off all you newbies. Just asked the question. As for your creation, go for it and see what flies.

You you callin' a newbie, Mr. Johnny-come-lately?

[cdagnolo]

That is BEAUTIFUL! Does the top come out of the vacuum bag with that wonderful gloss / sheen or did you have to go thru a sanding / polishing process? Oh and the BIG question; are you guys getting ANY sleep? I hope so but I have my doubts. This thing is looking amazing and might make me think twice about painting my CF ducktail rear lid. Also, I have some kind of fiberglass (1 pc) targa top on my car. I guess I should weigh it for comparison sake.

Great job guys!
cd
82 911SCT

[toddc]

Thanks CD,

That pic is straight out of the tool. No sanding or clear coat work has been done yet. Sure does provide for a good starting point for post process work.

[canuck964]

Wow that is amazing.

Make me want to buy a Targa just so I can buy one those.

[lpsalsaman]

Holy crap that is one awesome work of art! You guys are really outdoing yourselves on this! Too bad I won't be able to be at Hershey to see it if you guys have the prototype done by then. My trip got derailed for this year, but I hope to see lots of pics!

[nineball]

our new reproduction side seals and eustachian plates are here!

[lpsalsaman]

Wow those look perfect! Awesome work!

[nineball]

guide pins are done

[snbush67]

What are the front and rear guide pins made out of? Are they just plastic covers over threaded studs? They look durable.

[toddc]

front guide pins are a threaded stud covered in a high density urethane, the rear are made a little differently, it's a steel pin centered in a tube and that tube is filled with epoxy. The tube is tig welded to the mounting plate. The pin itself is covered in the same urethane.

[nineball]

talk about coming right down to the wire....

bottom is bonded to the top and being trimmed as we speak

[jcc911]

How is it secured to the car?

[lpsalsaman]

Originally Posted by nineball

talk about coming right down to the wire....

bottom is bonded to the top and being trimmed as we speak

Now that is one hell of a job! It looks very OEM, well done guys! The parts you guys created have a solid look and just looking at the bottom here, everything looks very tight and professionally executed! I can't wait to see it installed!