Composite Targa Top Development

[Howard M]

frankc, if you go with a factory hard top (or any hard top) that uses the factory hard top clamps you must source the escutcheons that surround the windshield frame hole. There is a lot of hold-down force applied by the clamp toggle that must be resisted by the hardened escutcheon. Targa Dan in NJ supplied mine.

Joeaksa, I wish I had thought of sheet metal screws instead of the small machine screws, washers and nuts I used to attach the escutcheons. It was a high anxiety activity working through that small hole with my pinky!

[toddc]

I figured it was time to give you guys an update.

Yesterday the last coat of fairing primer was applied and let to cure. Over the next couple of days we'll have it slicked out and will begin building a proto skin mold. The skin coming out of that mold will be used to mock up the frame.


Regards,
--todd

[jcc911]

Getting close. Very exciting for all of us!

[antares]

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Todd,

I can take photos of my factory hard top inside if that would help. The latches are nothing like the stock Targa top latches.

Salsaman,

Several people tried to get me to keep my factory top black but nope, wanted it to match and now that it does, very happy with it.



Joe A

.... now all you have to do is paint the targa bar and you will have it right. That is really how Ferdinhand envisioned it anyway.

[antares]

Originally Posted by Howard M

frankc, if you go with a factory hard top (or any hard top) that uses the factory hard top clamps you must source the escutcheons that surround the windshield frame hole. There is a lot of hold-down force applied by the clamp toggle that must be resisted by the hardened escutcheon. Targa Dan in NJ supplied mine.

Joeaksa, I wish I had thought of sheet metal screws instead of the small machine screws, washers and nuts I used to attach the escutcheons. It was a high anxiety activity working through that small hole with my pinky!

I bought mine from my Porsche parts counter guy about 5 years ago. They had to send back to Germany for them, but got em. The holes in the windshield frame are there but are just covered over.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by antares

.... now all you have to do is paint the targa bar and you will have it right. That is really how Ferdinhand envisioned it anyway.

We thought about that but then what do I do when I put the black Targa soft top on the car? That would not look right...

Decided to just leave it black as the factory did it and enjoy...

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by antares

The holes in the windshield frame are there but are just covered over.

Statement is correct for cars from 1974-1983 or so. After that the holes are not in the frame and need to be cut open.

[antares]

You know while were on this subject, I have always thought the center hood section, that portion that is indented in needs a nice bold off black stripe too running right down to the front bumper, that is if one keeps the off black targa bar as is. IMO.

[Howard M]

Sort of like this.....with a factory hard top...

[antares]

Yeah ..... but not the front bumper too.

[nineball]

top has been flanged, sealed, gel coat applied and we are just about ready to make the mold.



we are also starting to work on making rear fuse panel covers since they seem to be an item most people want. here is the part getting ready to be molded.

[jcc911]

I was just i the garage yesterday thinking how good the car would look with a color matched hardtop. Great work guys.

[nineball]

update! progress has been made and here is the first outer skin fresh out of the mold.

[nineball]

for those of you heading to hershey we will be there with a slew of cf and fg parts including at least one top (that will be mounted on my personal car).

[jhelgesen]

Very nice looking.

I should loan you my early deck lid, if you don't have one already.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by jhelgesen

Very nice looking.

I should loan you my early deck lid, if you don't have one already.

thanks for the offer but no need as of this moment. between developing and producing the targa top, fuse panel covers, steering shaft covers, targa braces, dashboard and floorboards we are pretty busy right now. as time goes on we will be expanding into more parts but we prefer quality over quantity.

as far as i know the only difference between early and late decklids are the license plate light mounting points, correct?

[jhelgesen]

Early lids have a center bar across the middle of the grill opening, along with the license plate lights.

Just add it to you possible list of parts please. Maybe add the rear license panel too? Just my wish list

[nineball]

Originally Posted by jhelgesen

Early lids have a center bar across the middle of the grill opening, along with the license plate lights.

Just add it to you possible list of parts please. Maybe add the rear license panel too? Just my wish list

all in due time... we started out with the idea of making a top for my car and you can see what it has expanded too in a short time. who knows, maybe one day you can have 50% or more of your 911 in cf, all from one vendor

[964TargaC2]

Subscribed..dont forget about the 964/roller latch guys (like me)


I had a Saratoga top and there was nothing I could do (or anyone else ) to make it secure enough to use

[jcc911]

update! progress has been made and here is the first outer skin fresh out of the mold.

Giddy Up!