Targa bar seal replacement
 

Hi friends, I was wondering if anyone has changed out the seal that runs along the front side of the silver targa bar? It is has a fabric cover and extends from window to window. I am reticent to just start taking out the old one as there appear to be blind rivets and a channel that the seal glues (?) into. The pic in the parts manual is not too revealing and my other references are mechanical stuff, so no help there. I have an oem seal to put in but don't want to ruin the old one and the new one too thru ignorance. If anyone has practical experience in doing this I would really appreciate a "how to" post/reply-or if you have a manual that tells how to, an excerpt/scan would be super. Thanks much. George
69 912 targa

Targa Top Specialist
 

George:
When I recovered and rebuilt my 69 Targa top I got a lot of help and some replacement parts from Cars Inc.. They specialize in Targa top restoration. They have the know how to answer your questions. They are located in Bordertown, NJ. Their phone number is 609-298-2277, Dan Petchel is the President.

I replaced the front rubber seal over the windshield and I am thinking of doing the rear seal on the Targa bar too.

Thanks,
Ron D

Is your seal shot, cracked? or is it just the fabric cover that looks bad, as so many do? I was going to replace mine and ordered one at over 200 bucks (which never really fit right) and after removing my old one found the only problem was the fabric. I got some fine black fabric, cleaned the old off and glued the new fabric onto the rubber. It looks perfect and has held up for 2 years so far. I used the same glue and process we use on our aircraft covering, it really worked great and saved me a lot of money.

Craig

Craig, it leaks and is brittle. Got an OEM one in the old porsche bag, etc etc, so should fit right. so, HOW did you do it? Does the seal pull out or does something have to be removed? or rivets etc taken out? Sounds like your surgery was successful, and would appreciate any removal/install info. thanks very much, George

You need to remove the plastic rivets, i dont think you can do it without destroying them but you can still get new ones, try to pop out the center pin on the rivet, you may get them out then. Otherwise the seal is just glued in place. You also need to work the seal over the metal alignment pin tubes because these dont come out, a bit of soap helps. Thats about it, just 4 plastic rivets and glue.

Craig

Thanks Craig, I do appreciate it.
Oh, the 'horn" on each side where the alignment pin from the top slides into - the seal just slides over them with a little soap? Also, better to drill out the plastic rivets, or tear the old seal off and deal with them then? Stoddard best bet for the replacement rivets?
Thanks again.
George