Targa top behind seat storage - Bungee Cord

[kach22i]

I recently took out my rear seat backs, this caused the Targa top when in storage behind the front seats to tilt more into the rear seating well.

I had the problem of scuffing before from the top's corners which are sort of sharp, but now with no rear deck it was even more alarming looking, so I splurged on a $2.00 bungee (31 inches long) from the local NAPA store.

My first attempt was rather ill fated, could not retract the front seat belts.


The below works, but now I'm starting to worry that over time it could pull the interior out, did what I could to protect things with a small rubber hose attached to the "S" hook.






If anyone else has done this, and lived to regret it, please let me know ASAP.

[A930Rocket]

Why don't you fold it and put it in the boot?

[gtc]

Reinstall your seat backs and fold the top. Problem solved.

[Ayles]

Careful with the plastic seat belt surrounds they can be very brittle.

[Scooter]

If your top is resting on the transmission tunnel, it will definitely deform your top in time.

[Michael T]

I agree. Setting it down on the front edge or back edge will cause future problems.

[The cap'n]

Hellooooo? It's a FOLDING top! I've never seen anyone put it, unfolded, behind the seats.

The Cap'n

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by The cap'n

Hellooooo? It's a FOLDING top! I've never seen anyone put it, unfolded, behind the seats.

The Cap'n

I thought I have seen it here discussed earlier. With older Targa tops we try not to fold it to prevent cracking of the skin. I never tried putting my Targa top unfolded behind the seats. But why not, if it fits and it can be done without damaging it. I also have seen people describing placing it unfolded under the hood. Though only in earlier models without brake booster. I have to try and see whether my '79 top would fit unfolded behind the seat. Actually that would also be a way to store a solid Targa top then.

[gamin]

I got a really nice heavy cloth bag with velcro closures and carry handle for the Targa top from our mr moo. Top is folded then into bag and then on to folded down rear seats. Nice and neat. Mr moo also makes a very nice Targa cover for the glass areas when you must park in the sun. Cool stuff that nobody knows about but should.

[911SauCy]

They fit unfolded (as pictured) in the frunk.

Why not put it there?

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by porwolf

I thought I have seen it here discussed earlier. With older Targa tops we try not to fold it to prevent cracking of the skin.

My impression is that 7 out of 10 Targa owners store behind the seats unfolded.

The other 3 out of 10?

One guy always folds it, be it storage in the boot or on the rear shelf.

One guy takes it off for the day (leaves unfolded in garage) , for the driving season in fact because he lives where the weather is predictable.

The other guy is restoring his car and doesn't count.

I think there is at least one POLL thread on this topic. I will look it up and see how accurate my memory is.

Like I said in the opening post that with the rear seat backs folded like a shelf, the top tends to scuff the insides a couple of times, and I'll add to this catch the seat belt mechanism on occasion.

I've casually looked at off-setting the top part of the brake booster to accommodate an unfolded top to be stored in the boot. A future project perhaps as it looks like there are just a couple of lines to lengthen, and a bracket to fabricate.

[KevinTodd]

If I'm going out for the day it goes into the trunk folded. If I'm going on a joyride around the hood it stays in the garage, unfolded. Either way it was designed to be folded.

[gamin]

With the drivers seat adjusted for my comfort and the passenger seat full aft due to lack of leg room for a passenger if forward, my top does not fit behind the seat. Why not in the boot you ask. Other things reside there such as a full size spare. To each his own. And I only know of one other Targa owner who routinely puts the unfolded top behind the seat.

[al lkosmal]

Originally Posted by gamin

I got a really nice heavy cloth bag with velcro closures and carry handle for the Targa top from our mr moo. Top is folded then into bag and then on to folded down rear seats. Nice and neat. Mr moo also makes a very nice Targa cover for the glass areas when you must park in the sun. Cool stuff that nobody knows about but should.

what is a mr moo?

[kach22i]

Several downsides to storing an unfolded top behind the seats.

1. Passenger seat must be pushed almost all the way up, so you must store the top in the front trunk if picking someone up.

2. The middle prong can be rotated off to the side, may have to realign in order to put the top back into the hoop bar hole.

3. Can scuff the interior.

4. Can move and catch your seat belt retractor.


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Several upsides to not folding your top and storing behind your rear seats.

1. Saves wear and tear on your top, the creases are where the top will first crack.

2. Saves time folding and unfolding the top.

3. Saves pinched fingers when unfolding in the dark after a full day of driving.

4. If someone were steal the top from behind the rear seats they would have to swagger around an ungainly and awkward package which would delay their get-a-way. They might even just give up after finding out just how much fun they are not having lugging that thing around. Quite a different story if it were already folded for an under the arm crime of opportunity.

5. Frees up front trunk/boot and rear deck storage spaces for other things.

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Several threads in this forum and Rennlist showing the majority of Targa owners choosing to store behind the seats. I have not found a true poll as of yet though.

[javadog]

If folding a top will crack the skin, that top needs to be rebuilt.

Fold it, put it in the trunk, end of problem. Sometimes "new" solutions aren't needed.

Don't screw with moving the booster. You don't want to go there.

JR

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by al lkosmal

what is a mr moo?

I am Mister Moo. Good Morning!

I own a textile shop in NC and have made a few targa top storage pouches for self and pals... (first draft, pre-production yellow nylon fit-test prototype):



and a few suncovers from Sunbrella (exterior face), soft rayon mesh (interior face) and a substrate of reflective aluminized mylar.



To date these have not been offered for commercial sale. I usually fold mine and keep it in the storage bag when traveling with top off. It seems none the worse for wear after two and a half years of fold/store for periods of drive time.

[JTL]

I usually unlock the front and rear arms and place the top behind the front seats. It fits pretty well and you don't have to fold it.
When the kids come along for a rid then I obviously have to fold the top and place it in the boot.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

I am Mister Moo. Good Morning!

I own a textile shop in NC and have made a few targa top storage pouches for self and pals... (first draft, pre-production yellow nylon fit-test prototype):



and a few suncovers from Sunbrella (exterior face), soft rayon mesh (interior face) and a substrate of reflective aluminized mylar.



To date these have not been offered for commercial sale. I usually fold mine and keep it in the storage bag when traveling with top off. It seems none the worse for wear after two and a half years of fold/store for periods of drive time.

That is great stuff, Mr Moo,

when I store my Targa top on the rear shelf I like to not squeeze it all the way down to minimize the possibility of cracking in the folds of the Targa top skin. Could you think of making a taller storage bag with internal foam pieces to keep the top partially unfolded?

[NYNick]

Geez, if Porsche wanted us to store the top back there, they would've told us to.
I'm still unclear as to why you WOULD'NT put it in the trunk?