Composite Targa Top Development

[toddc]

ran into a couple of personal issues, didn't open the molds until last night.

Looking good, need to clean up the clay and start the layups.

Surface of the top tool turned out very nice.

[NOLAsc]

Very nice.

[cdagnolo]

Hey, stuff happens, right?! The top is looking gorgeous! Soooo appreciate you letting us along for the ride and the learning experience!

cd

[rokemester]

What Targa year range will your top cover? Hoping my 87 Targa can be a future candidate for one of these awesome looking lids. Beautiful work!

[nineball]

Originally Posted by rokemester

What Targa year range will your top cover? Hoping my 87 Targa can be a future candidate for one of these awesome looking lids. Beautiful work!

our development (for now) is focusing on a full reproduction of the factory top and mounting system. from what has been posted in this thread only targas up to 1983 had the cutouts needed in the windshield frame from the factory. 1984 and later can still work, you just have to cut the areas open (and has been done with a dremmel according to posts). there are posts in this thread talking about it, so maybe take a second look at them. it is possible

[antares]

I wonder what effect this will have on the value of the original hard tops. Will it make them even more valuable due to authenticity or lessen their market value?

[nineball]

Originally Posted by antares

I wonder what effect this will have on the value of the original hard tops. Will it make them even more valuable due to authenticity or lessen their market value?

still don't know from the last time you asked i can tell you our cf tops will be lighter and stronger than the factory originals due to modern materials and techniques.

keep in mind we are not mass producing these. we started development roughly 3 months ago and we are rushing to have the prototype done by hershey on the 20th (18th really for us). this really started as a semi-serious joke one night and has progressed into where we are today. all of our parts are hand made, we can't just stamp them out like the big boys... yet!

[Karaya]

Subscribed!

[antares]

Originally Posted by nineball

still don't know from the last time you asked i can tell you our cf tops will be lighter and stronger than the factory originals due to modern materials and techniques.

keep in mind we are not mass producing these. we started development roughly 3 months ago and we are rushing to have the prototype done by hershey on the 20th (18th really for us). this really started as a semi-serious joke one night and has progressed into where we are today. all of our parts are hand made, we can't just stamp them out like the big boys... yet!

Well perhaps, maybe, but IMO, I think we're just talking about a different mouse trap here. The original will always be just that and the repop will be yet just another repop.

[nineball]

Originally Posted by antares

Well perhaps, maybe, but IMO, I think we're just talking about a different mouse trap here. The original will always be just that and the repop will be yet just another repop.

not sure i understand your point here. you first asked (a second time in this thread) what our tops will do to the value of originals and no one can answer that question for a multitude of reasons, the main being that our prototype isn't even completed yet. now you are agreeing (i think) with what i said in that we are making a duplication of the factory top. not sure what "perhaps, maybe" is referring to. care to elaborate?

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by antares

Well perhaps, maybe, but IMO, I think we're just talking about a different mouse trap here. The original will always be just that and the repop will be yet just another repop.

Do not totally agree with this. As long as the CF top is of good quality and looks and seals like the factory top, believe that the market will be pretty strong.

Now if its like the POS Sundialent top, then they might sell a few but thats it.

[petrolblue83911]

who cares what it does to the value of a limited number of factory hard tops?

99% of us own these cars to use and enjoy them, and I think we all are excited about the potential for a new product that could be available to many mpre people, and one that actually works. This way we can use and enjoy the cars more often.

Besides, it's seriously cool that guys are out there engineering this, and working it through on our forum. That's what matters.

Good luck guys!!

[toddc]

Ok, I feel the need to jump in here with my 2 cents.

IMO, the value of the original hard top top will always be based on what someone is willing to pay for a good condition, NLA vintage product.
There are, and will always be, buyers for that exact product because it fits with their particular wants/needs.

That said, take a look at what we are accomplishing with our product.
while it may be a "reproduction", we are using lighter, stronger, cosmetically appealing materials in a process that that allows us to produce void free laminates.
The process and benefits themselves place this top in a category that quite simply isn't comparable to the Sundialent top.

Now factor in that our tops will be supplied complete with factory type side seals, latches, escutcheon plates and guide pins fore and aft that all use factory mounting provisions.

We've also gone to the expense of engineering outs parts in such a way that they could be used as service replacements for the original parts once they become NLA, not to mention that we will always have service parts for our product should the need ever arise.


I don't expect our product to compete with a factory hard top in any way simply because they are different products targeted to different buyers.

I do expect our product to be one of high quality and high value based on designing and building it the right way and for that type of product, I believe there will be a market.

[sobamaflyer]

I'm not sure I understand why there is a thread of derision coming in here in the first place. These guys are trying to take something that almost every Targa owner wants, at least once in a while and in theory, and make a quality version that addresses the downsides of all the repros that so far have come before it.

1) who cares what having a GOOD repro of the factory does, it's not going to devalue the "real" ones because there will always be someone who will pay a premium to have a "real" one.

2) As mentioned before there have been attempts to have this better sealing and looking object and the attachment is always left wanting, these guys are addressing that problem.

I've personally lived through a love/hate relationship with a Saratoga and ultimately let it pass on to other hands. I'm hoping you manage to bring these to market somewhere in the affordable to normal people range so I could have both your's and my foldable one on-hand. Regardless of price there are still going to be a large # of Targa owners that are willing to shell out for something that looks good and seals at speed.

Good luck, been subscribed for a while, anxiously waiting to see the final post.

[Kraqus]

Originally Posted by antares

I wonder what effect this will have on the value of the original hard tops. Will it make them even more valuable due to authenticity or lessen their market value?

Losing what value?
Did you read the part that says?

Originally Posted by toddc

Correct Ed,

this will be a complete top with latches, guide pins and seals. We are also stamping the escutcheons for the cars that need to be retrofitted.

No butchering required

This means you KEEP the old one INTACT.
Shrink wrap it and stash it away in your garage.
Bring it out when you decide to sell your Targa

So again.....Losing what value?
If anything this Adds value to your Car.






Benny

[prebordao]

Who cares if the value goes up / down ???

Just let the man concentrate on his task...

[AndrewMac]

I'm in for one if I can manage. I have two targas with tops that are old enough the vinyl is getting stiff. I don't fold them anymore but rather throw them behing the seats when I don't want a top or just leave at home. Lighter, stiffer, less noise, colour matching if you like....how can you lose?

I'm just glad to have someone apply their skills to offer a fix for a problem with which most targa owners struggle.

[nineball]

thanks for the kind words all. todd is very good at what he does and i think our other products easily support that statement.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I don't give a rat's patootie about the original factory hardtop.

I've already killed my folding top via a JMPRO composite skin. No regrets there.

What I want is something functionally and aesthetically better. And I'm willing to pay for it. From where I'm sitting, this looks to be the ticket.

[lpsalsaman]

Originally Posted by Kraqus

Losing what value?
Did you read the part that says?




This means you KEEP the old one INTACT.
Shrink wrap it and stash it away in your garage.
Bring it out when you decide to sell your Targa

So again.....Losing what value?
If anything this Adds value to your Car.








Benny

Agree 100% with this statement and like others here, I can't wait to see the final product! Todd and Nineball are really doing a hell of a job!