71 Hot Rod Targa build.

[Eharrison]

Hi you all. I'm normally a Rennlist poster but thought I would start a thread on here with the major stages of my build.

I purchased a shell in March after selling my 996. I really liked the 996 and I think its a really an undervalued automobile, but mine just sat in the garage. So I figured that I would get something to tinker with. My son showed an interest in building a car so we decided on a Targa. It's a project that's for sure. So anyways here's a couple photos. Currently I'm working on the bumper and removing the rust holes etc. I'm done with the metal replacement and expect to get it primered pretty soon.

I do have one request and that is if anyone has a photo of the outside of the targa bar where it connects to the body. The rust was pretty bad and I'm not sure how the "lip" is formed.....



Photo of the lip.

Bumper repair!

[Cairo94507]

Wow, nice project. I wish you the best and most of all an enjoyable experience building the car with your son.

[Eharrison]

Here's the shell at the current stage. RS/SC flares sitting in the car waiting for install.

[Eharrison]

Originally Posted by Cairo94507

Wow, nice project. I wish you the best and most of all an enjoyable experience building the car with your son.

Thanks!

[Eharrison]

ugggh. I can't post on two different websites..... Anyhoo, here's a link to the build on Rennlist: Targa Thread

[Eharrison]

Ok I decided to move my thread over to here from Rennlist since most of my viewing is over here anyway.

Since I first posted this thread it's been a few errr months and I have however moved forward on the car along with all the other of life's challenges.

Anyways months back I purchased fiberglass "R" fenders to help figure out my suspension pan rebuild. The left corner needed complete rebuilding and in order to make sure the front fit right I wanted the fenders to make sure they tied in right. Anyways the fenders fit well other than where the turn signals are. I bought "R" fenders but that only meant that the glasser just masked over the turn signal areas without really following the correct shape.....




So I decided to reshape the nose and then cut in the ducts. I plan on creating full ductwork to the from brakes but right now I need to get the suspension on first to make sure I don't have any fitment issues.

[Eharrison]

Also while working on other items. I refinished the front camber plates, I left the upper hat "raw" with clear coat on it while the remainder had pod-15 and then rubber under coating on the bottom.


did a quick fit (lookey) check, but then uninstalled waiting to finish the frank painting that will occur later.

[Eharrison]

Lastly this weekend I finished the roll cage. I decided to have a weld in cage that connected to the rear shock mounts. I felt it would help with the coil over suspension from Rebel Racing that's going in back there.

I initially bought a Harbor Freight pipe bender but it wasn't up to par. I effed up a pipe which was about $20-$30.... So then I found an off road shop here in town called "Steel Nutz" that bends pipe and other metal work. I gave them a drawing of what I wanted and they produced the main hoop exactly as I asked so I guess it was $80 well spent. I do have to say they had some SWEET vehicles in their shop...


Here's the main hoop:


The cross brace measurements:


Halfway in:








It's not completely welded in since I need to recover the targa bar and I'm afraid to weld in the cage and not be able to get the targa bar liner in afterwards. so the bars going to the shock mounts are just "there"

[Eharrison]

A couple more photos.

[Matthew Barnes]

Nice work.
Check out Rod Emory's 'R' Targa for inspiration.
Pretty cool.

[PacificP]

You should instalL side crash bars from the roll bar to the front inside of the door opening, it adds stiffness for better front end handling and side crash protection. Also Targas have the tendency to bend at the door jam while on jack stands with out doors, be sure to check your gaps with the doors on before you weld in side crash bars or weld in temp bracing to keep door gaps perfect.

[stuttgart46]

That's a great looking project and spending time with your son doing it is a huge plus. I'm doing the same.

[Eharrison]

Originally Posted by Matthew Barnes

Nice work.
Check out Rod Emory's 'R' Targa for inspiration.
Pretty cool.

Wow that is what I'm looking for but I'll have a bigger rear. Good ideas in that one for sure.

Originally Posted by PacificP

You should instalL side crash bars from the roll bar to the front inside of the door opening, it adds stiffness for better front end handling and side crash protection. Also Targas have the tendency to bend at the door jam while on jack stands with out doors, be sure to check your gaps with the doors on before you weld in side crash bars or weld in temp bracing to keep door gaps perfect.

Well funny you should say.... I was planning on adding side bars, but detachable so that on the lazy days I won't be hopping over the bar. This is the brace that will house the tabs, I'll attach them higher up on the brace. I haven't figured out the bends on the side brace since I don't have the seats. As for the gaps, I have the car raised from the suspension points so it would be similar to the car being on its wheels. Thanks for the tip though. it would be a bugger to have to deal with gaps after all of the other work. I still have lots of gap work to deal with with those front fenders. Damn fiberglass...

Originally Posted by stuttgart46

That's a great looking project and spending time with your son doing it is a huge plus. I'm doing the same.

Good stuff, he's getting more and more interested as his time to get a license is nearing.

[Eharrison]

Little more work done over the weekend. Roll ar is in as well as the shock mount braces.



The main hoop looks a little better with the vinyl liner installed, that was redone as well. Little lumpy from the old filling but overall a lot better than the ripped vinyl that was there previously.







Purchased bumper brackets through Sunset and finally was able to attach the front bumper, need to fabricate the side braces for the bumper now....





Painted the trunk and installed a Rebel Racing triangulated brace and SPEC camber mounts.










Next up is fixing the door skins......

[douglas bray]

Have you got rotors yet? My drilled Zimmermann's need a good home. Rears don't have 1,000 miles on them yet.

I've also got new rear eccentrics you are welcome to.

[Eharrison]

Yeah, I bought new rotors for all four shoes. You're not parting out are you?

[douglas bray]

No, just lots of doubles. I've got two sets of front hubs and the like even after trading away a bunch of stuff. Basically looking for an excuse to see your car in person.

[Eharrison]

Well My house is 1000ft from a school, is that ok? LOL. Maybe in the New year? All weekends are booked till then. Or sometime during the holidays.

['71 911E Coupe]

Any updates? Cool build. Call me crazy but the gray white and orange front end looks good!

[Discseven]

Great project Ed. If I were your son, I'd be making my own set of keys for that ride. Nice work.