Composite Targa Top Development

[toddc]

Mike, I wouldn't rule that out, but I'd like to get through the next couple of phases first.

I may consider bonding an individual's frame to a skin in-house.

We'll see.

--todd

[jdbunda]

Subbed. Definitely hopeful that the later latch style will be supported!!

[toddc]

we made little progress today, busy laying up carbon corvette qtr's for one of the grand am teams.

The pic below is of us creating the "upright" section of the rain gutter.

This will be trimmed and bonded to the roof skin seen in the previous post and more shaping will continue.

It's a layer of easy curve cardboard sandwiched between 2 layers of fiberglass then vac bagged. A quick way to make something solid, flexible and easy to shape.

More to come,

-todd

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by SCrescue

Todd,
I have a spare folding frame with original type hook latches that I was planning to convert into a hardtop at some point using smoked lexan sheet, but I'd much rather have a correctly contoured molded piece to attach to it. Any chance you'll be selling just molded skins for such an application, perhaps with mounting bosses/lugs molded in allowing it to be bolted or screwed to a folding frame?

Mike

You mean like this one?
Pelican Parts - Product Information: JM-PRO-T1

Or direct from MFG, looks like they are doing CF too!
http://www.kaminari.com/catalog/39

[Hugh R]

Joe, your Targa is way cool. I guess that I missed that you have a factory hardtop.

[DRACO A5OG]

okay I give, how much are we talking here? hope it ain't no crazy price like that nut in Denmark or somewhere in Europa.

Jim

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Joe, your Targa is way cool. I guess that I missed that you have a factory hardtop.

Hugh,

If you are interested, will keep my eyes out for one for you. Last I heard Dan at Targa tops in NJ had a couple but that was six months ago.

It really changes the car and love it.

Joe

Todd,

Here are some photos of the latch!

Joe

Loose from the back


Stowed


Loose


Note the later model Targa's do not have the opening for this latch (believe its 1984 and newer) and I had to cut the hole with a dremel then fasten the "latch plates" to the windshield frame to make the top work. Not difficult but not for the faint of heart either.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

okay I give, how much are we talking here? hope it ain't no crazy price like that nut in Denmark or somewhere in Europa.

Jim

pricing is not a concern at this point. it's more important to develop a quality product before thinking about selling them.

[M.D. Holloway]

I'm in! Please send info on the hardtop for my 77, would love it in white but I may vinyl wrap it so it really doesn't matter the color.

Joe, wheres the love brother! I would love a lead on an extra frame!

[einsteiger]

Subscribed. I've held off on an 86 Targa because of the possible issues with the top. Now that there alternatives, I'm going to look into it again!!

[nineball]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

I'm in! Please send info on the hardtop for my 77, would love it in white but I may vinyl wrap it so it really doesn't matter the color.

there is no info to send. this is a thread about the development of a potential product.

[tdw28210]

Originally Posted by nineball

there is no info to send. this is a thread about the development of a potential product.

Can I get mine w/monogrammed Alcantara headliner and custom SS drink holders dangling in the middle?

[SCrescue]

Originally Posted by timmy2

You mean like this one?
Pelican Parts - Product Information: JM-PRO-T1

Or direct from MFG, looks like they are doing CF too!
Targa Body Kits | Kaminari

Hmm, thought that was NLA. I read some less than inspiring reports about that piece some time ago and decided it wasn't worth what they're asking for it. Hoping Todd can provide a better quality item for a more reasonable cost...

Interesting contrast in price between the two sites...

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by nineball

pricing is not a concern at this point. it's more important to develop a quality product before thinking about selling them.

True True, let's see how it turns out.

Please add me as a Beta Tester

[jdbunda]

Originally Posted by SCrescue

Hmm, thought that was NLA. I read some less than inspiring reports about that piece some time ago and decided it wasn't worth what they're asking for it. Hoping Todd can provide a better quality item for a more reasonable cost...

Especially when that cost must include a serviceable frame to mount it on. I am very much hoping to see a solution that doesn't require me to cannibalize my perfectly good folding top - or find a spare frame which costs more than the fiberglass/carbon panel itself.

It would be awesome if someone could develop a mounting system that adapt to or work with all of the various latch designs Porsche used over the years. Bolting through the alignment pin holes is kind of shade tree for me, and it doesn't give me the same easy on/off of the OEM roof.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally Posted by SCrescue

Hmm, thought that was NLA. I read some less than inspiring reports about that piece some time ago and decided it wasn't worth what they're asking for it. Hoping Todd can provide a better quality item for a more reasonable cost...

I have a JM-PRO top on my car. I think it was the 4th one made. It's acceptable--seals about as well as a factory folding top. On my car, anyway.

That said, I would prefer an integral unit like the one under development here. I have to believe it would be lighter, at the very least. Plus the gutters look to be an improvement over having to re-use factory gutters with the JM-PRO.

[toddc]

Draco, et all,

There have been a few questions and comments about cost, options, etc. both public and private.

Let me say, we're a ways away from establishing pricing.

We're still developing this top and and it's mounting scheme while trying to establish how we can provide a quality product that fits as many years as possible.

Add to that developing a real quality surface that seals well to the vehicle and provides for rain run-off without adding extra parts to the mix and you can see we have a little ways to go.

Rest assured, it's not our intention to "soak" anyone but to provide a product of greater quality than has previously been offered and ask a price of admission that is fair for that level of quality.

--Todd

[nineball]

Originally Posted by tdw28210

Can I get mine w/monogrammed Alcantara headliner and custom SS drink holders dangling in the middle?

you certainly can but we will only be supplying the top the rest is up to you.

i'd be happy to google an interior guy in your neck of the woods to install the rest of the items or you can have my guy do it for you but shipping is going to kill you in the end (cost to ship it to me, my outrageous transportation fee to the upholstery guy, his cost for the materials and install, another outrageous fee to pick it up and drop it off at the post office, shipping costs from me to you).

alternatively you could just tell everyone it came that way and you removed the parts. much cheaper...

[kach22i]

It needs a battery operated LED dome light.

A directable map reading light would be nice too.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by LubeMaster77

I'm in! Please send info on the hardtop for my 77, would love it in white but I may vinyl wrap it so it really doesn't matter the color.

Joe, wheres the love brother! I would love a lead on an extra frame!

Mike,

What are you looking for? An extra Targa soft top frame?

Might know where one of those are... in fact might know where two of those are!

Joe A