Best Targa Top Fixer? Opinions Please!

[High Hope]

DONE, I'm going to Dan Petchel of CarsINc in NJ. Thanks all! Happy Holidays!


Please give me your recommendation choice of good Targa top repairers.

I went to install my top and felt that it wasn't right. The rear hinged frame had broken right at the knuckle where the two sides fold into each other. Oddly, it looks like pot metal, not what I would have guessed.

Once at the repair shop I'll probably ask for headliner at the minimum, and maybe the entire restoration. This is not a concours car, its a well-loved old 1980 SC.

All opinions appreciated!
Chris

[Starless]

Dan Petchel, Carsinc. 609-298-2277

[mfiazzo]

I second CarsInc

[High Hope]

Thanks. Can you give me a ball park estimate for a full resto (headliner, skin, mechanical/misc parts.)

[wilnj]

https://www.carsincnj.com/targa-tops.html


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[mfiazzo]

had this on there website

PRICING
STAGE 1 > $495 for model years 1970-1989 - Vinyl replacement & tune up
STAGE 2 > add $350 - Inner reinforcement & padding installed
STAGE 3 > add an additional $350 - webbing reinforcement installed
STAGE 4 > add $200 - Double cloth headliner installed
*Note: '67-'69 and '90 - '94 slightly higher - FREE RETURN SHIPPING

Full Restoration Total (all four stages) - $1,395,

[LIRS6]

Dan will tell you you need full restoration. I had mine done by him - I had no broken parts. It was a stage 4 resto, according to him. Expensive, but it is tight tight tight.

Jason

[High Hope]

Thanks. Its a done deal. Dan will turn my original top around in 3 days +/-. Price seems OK compared to buying a new-to-me top.

Thanks all!

[faapgar]

I have known Dan for 40 years and his setup for repairing tops is what you are looking for.Send with confidence.Ciao Fred Apgar

[schoward]

12 years on mine from Dan and no leaks - works and looks great - and I still fold it when I want

[Mark Salvetti]

You might also want to buy a spare front windshield seal. Dan is the only source for the earlier cars.

Mark

[wholberg]

Definitely buy a seal from him

[Baz]

Another vote for Dan Petchel.

He just restored mine. It was in very very poor condition. Came back looking new.

This is what I sent him:






This is what he sent back:






It fit perfectly on my car too. Front lip down and not sticking up and everything perfectly square. Very nice material too - he uses the factory product which I think is different than what is sometimes sold elsewhere.

You will probably have to pay a little extra to replace that broken arm, but it is worth it to get it fixed properly.

Good luck!

[High Hope]

Originally Posted by Starless

Dan Petchel, Carsinc. 609-298-2277

Originally Posted by mfiazzo

I second CarsInc

Originally Posted by Baz

Another vote for Dan Petchel.

He just restored mine. It was in very very poor condition. Came back looking new.

This is what I sent him:






This is what he sent back:






It fit perfectly on my car too. Front lip down and not sticking up and everything perfectly square. Very nice material too - he uses the factory product which I think is different than what is sometimes sold elsewhere.

You will probably have to pay a little extra to replace that broken arm, but it is worth it to get it fixed properly.

Good luck!

Very nice! I'll try to get the package off to him ASAP, but Christmas Eve is probably not the right time .

Thanks all for the suggestions, and I told Dan over the phone that his reputation on Pelican is sterling.

Happy Holidays to all,
Chris

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by wholberg

definitely buy a seal from him

+ 1