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This conversation is totally rediculous. I have owned 8 early cars, included in that number was one 73RS (built out to a 2.8) and a 74 3.0rsr. The rest were "S" cars with one 72"E" in there. Two cars were targas. Each one of the cars was stock (with the exception of the RS) and with the exception of the 73 and 74 cars there was not one of them capable of going over 160 without modifications. Certainly, neither of the targas was capable of these speeds, especially with the top off. Totally rediculous!
Keep in mind that during one of the high speed shoot outs reviewed in Excellence magazine, one full convertible was able to hit 180 with the top down, but it was designed in a wind tunnel with a flat floor and over 540hp to boot. The coupe that was in this shoot off was rated at 20 less HP and hit 200. Given the fact that this was a full convertible, it is easier to control the actual airflow and wind buffeting than that of a targa... I could only venture to think of how much slower the targa would be in that scenario, with the air circulating around in that cockpit. The turbulance would be terrible and the car would not be that stable. I stated in an earlier response that I had my targa up to 130 (this car was stock, lowered, new tires and suspension and dynoed with 190hp listed as peak HP). The windows were up, top was off, front original spoiler in place and I had a ducktail painted to match the car (silver) when I wanted to take it out I would swap the stock hatch out. The car was fairly stable, but the wind in the drivers compartment was a bit much and it was a bit of a handful. This is not to say it wouldn't go faster, but had I not had the car lowered and the ducktail on it, it would have been a handful. I know this because I had the same car out before it was lowered, with the stock hatch and it was exactly that... a handful.
For those of you that think a stock early targa can go 165, get your heads out of the clouds. Do some math and try to include drag coeficients along with the fact that this was stated as being stock, which means no aero aids, huge wind buffeting issues with the targa on or off, greater frontal area... the list goes on and on.
A coupe has a much better chance of going that fast in any configuration because the drag coeficient is much lower. It takes less HP to get it to specific MPH markers than that of a convertible or targa. Keep reading the excellence 200mph plus shoot outs to understand what it takes to get cars to specific speed milestones. Also note that pro drivers do not go from zero to 200 in one acceleration... they do it in stages allowing the engines time to cool down, make sure the suspension settles in and ensure that the tires are up to the task. This guy was making claims that were so rediculous for a targa in stock form that he should write brilliant fictional stories.
Keep the BS coming....
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