Opinions please. Solid Targa top install from 75 911. Paint or vinyl?

[vintagecarlover]

I've got a solid factory targa top going on my 83SC 911 and finish is rough so to dress the ol girl I want to finish the targa top. My options are cover it with standard folding targa top skin, or paint it. If painted do I go body color or flat or satin black or gloss? Help me dress her up!! Thx. Mark

[77Targa0912]

I would paint it Satin black to match the targa bar.

[CCM911]

We need a photoshop pro to show you your options. You could go body color, or Satin Black to match the Targa Bar.

I would be interested to see what it would look like painted white to match the body.

[timmy2]

I believe they were gloss black as delivered, but maybe not. My used one was. Suits my car.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[T77911S]

that looks really good.

when i built my 914-6 i had 2 tops. one i sanded and painted the other i left original.

[Matt Monson]

I would sell it. I've been told they go for $4-5k because they were only on 74s and a few 75s. You can do a nice folding top and some more work on your car for that money.

Ps. If you have AC I don't think that will fit in your frunk. What good is a targa top if you can't take it off or install it while driving?

[sc_rufctr]

Considering it's a rare accessory I'd restore and paint it the same as it came out of the factory.

If you don't feel confident then it's worth getting a pro to do it for you.

[Jack Stands]

I seem to remember that my old '75 Targa had a pebbled, black finish on it's fiberglass top ( though not as pronounced as that on the 914 tops). Putting a vinyl covering like the folding tops would look nice and appear factory 'correct' without spending a lot of money having it painted.

I was lucky enough to find a Saratoga top for my 911 Targa, so I like that option best of all as it always feels 'open'.

[964TargaC2]

vinyl wrap it in chrome..dare to be different

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I would sell it. I've been told they go for $4-5k because they were only on 74s and a few 75s. You can do a nice folding top and some more work on your car for that money.

Ps. If you have AC I don't think that will fit in your frunk. What good is a targa top if you can't take it off or install it while driving?

It won't go in the trunk due to the power brake MC. Fits behind the front seats just fine.
I use the folding top all summer and the hard top all winter.
I bought mine in rough shape with broken fiberglass corners and sad paint and rebuilt the fiberglass and painted it myself.

Details from post 84 here:
Finally, back in the game!

[gruppe75]

Mine is painted the body color. But in your case I think black is a better alternative.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

I would sell it. I've been told they go for $4-5k because they were only on 74s and a few 75s. You can do a nice folding top and some more work on your car for that money.

A nice folding top is pretty spendy, too. Not sure, $2,500?

I like the vinyl, non-domestic pebble finish. There is a balance that we are used to seeing with shiny and flat surfaces.

I also find that if I drive in the sun for any length of time, I am putting the top back on. Maybe "husky" (aka: fat) guys like me can't take the heat. I like the top off in the spring/fall with the heater on.

Timmy2 - can you still use the rear view mirror? I bet you can.

[timmy2]

Rear view mirror? If you mean with the top off behind the seats, then yes, no problem.
Really had to think about the question as its never been a concern.
And, as I'm 6'2 the seats are all the way back and it fits nicely back there.
Probably better as the seat backs hold it in place nicely.

[fanaudical]

My '75 has a factory hard-shell top. It does have a pebbly finish on it. I resprayed with satin black.

I'd keep the hard-shell top - it's a rare accessory. I have only seen one other in person on Dennis' car.

[timmy2]

Hey Fan Man, Did you ever swap out the latch handles I gave you at C&C this spring?
Just curious how it went if you did. I've been too busy to get to Wilsonville of late. Maybe this weekend.

I believe I read somewhere there was a choice of smooth or pebble finish. Or someone smoothed mine and I just want to believe it was like that originally...

[pors1968]

The one i have is smoth finish but it no use i cant find the latch handles.

[timmy2]

Originally Posted by pors1968

The one i have is smoth finish but it no use i cant find the latch handles.

Do you have the metal parts of the latches?
Just need the plastic pieces?
Like this:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pors1968]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Do you have the metal parts of the latches?
Just need the plastic pieces?
Like this:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No nothing to lock the top.

[timmy2]

Dan at njcarsinc may have a set?
Definitely hard to find.

[vintagecarlover]

Originally Posted by timmy2

I believe they were gloss black as delivered, but maybe not. My used one was. Suits my car.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've seen pics of Dennis's car and black top/black car looks stealth. Just wonder what it would look like in chiffon? Also satin sounds good. Probably the easiest. I would do that myself of course. So the dilemma is still what to do. I think the German type vinyl would also look good. Maybe a factory soft top look in a hard top. And would help cover gaps front and back?