She’s a targa again!

[CosmosMoon]

@Winter911
This is awesome - great work!
I'm working on a project to put a targa bar on a cab that has never been a targa (becauseit's a 993), and seeing this was really helpful/inspirational. I'd love to see your detailed write-up. For some reason the forum won't let me PM right now - working with the admins to figure out why - I'll PM you when I get it sorted. I'd love to hear about what you did to ensure it was at the right position/angle, and how you held it in place for the initial tack-welds.


Couple questions for you and the wider group:
I've read a bunch of threads with folks putting on the targa glass. They all do a hell of a lot of taping to keep it in place. Is there any reason why I have not read of anyone using a mild adhesive - like silicone or the Porsche glass adhesive - in a few strategic places to help make this easier? It seems like the sharp corners would be an ideal candidate for something like that since there's no chance for it to have to be shifted around during install. You have to cut the seal apart to get it off anyway so why no use some glue?

How tight would you guess the fit is between the window, seal, and metal pinch seam of the body / roll bar? In other words, if you think of it as a sandwich of glass, rubber, metal, is it:
a. the rubber compressed tight
b. the rubber is just resting on the metal / glass
c. slight gaps between the metal / rubber and/or glass/rubber?

I was actually thinking that spending the $95 for a spare window seal that I would just cut into short pieces to use to dry-fit the window and targa bar all together before welding would be money well spent - especially since I'll be paying someone else to do the welding. It would also help me unravel the mysteries of where to route the wiring without having to try to figure it out by pulling apart the layers. (I will have upper brake light and defroster wiring)

Cheers!

[Dpmulvan]

Sometimes you need to shift the seal after installation by tapping the trim (corner gaps et) glue would make it difficult and is really unnecessary anyway after the rubber relaxes and trim pieces inserted.

[Dpmulvan]

If you can afford it sell the cab and get a targa if the Carrera is in good shape don’t chop it up you’ll be losing money. Job is not for the faint of heart especially if you can’t weld, what are you going to do if someone screws it up?

[CosmosMoon]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

If you can afford it sell the cab and get a targa if the Carrera is in good shape don’t chop it up you’ll be losing money. Job is not for the faint of heart especially if you can’t weld, what are you going to do if someone screws it up?

I appreciate the sentiment, and understand where you’re coming from. Here’s the thing though; I know I won’t get my money back on it - money is not the point, and all of the parts have been bought, I know we’ll what I’m getting in to and how much it will cost.
If someone screws it up, I’ll take it to someone else or redo it myself, I’ve learned many skills in my life, I can learn to TIG weld- at least enough to get into the right place so I can put the glass in and take it to a proper welder to finish. (and no one will ever see my welds unless they take the car apart). NONE of the visible/outer part of the body or paint gets touched - as can be seen in the pics in this thread!

Lastly, I can’t buy a 993 with a 964 targa top, I have to make it. See my post here;
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/1332323-993-cab-to-true-targa-conversion.html

Cheers!

[CosmosMoon]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Sometimes you need to shift the seal after installation by tapping the trim (corner gaps et) glue would make it difficult and is really unnecessary anyway after the rubber relaxes and trim pieces inserted.

Hm, ok, but I guess you have to pull all the tape before you insert it - right? I’m having a hard time imagining how you pull the tape as you go once the window is down with the ratchet-straps pushing it down.

[CosmosMoon]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

If you can afford it sell the cab and get a targa if the Carrera is in good shape don’t chop it up you’ll be losing money. Job is not for the faint of heart especially if you can’t weld, what are you going to do if someone screws it up?

I appreciate the sentiment, and understand where you’re coming from. Here’s the thing though; I know I won’t get my money back on it - money is not the point, and all of the parts have been bought, I know we’ll what I’m getting in to and how much it will cost.
If someone screws it up, I’ll take it to someone else or redo it myself, I’ve learned many skills in my life, I can learn to TIG weld- at least enough to get into the right place so I can put the glass in and take it to a proper welder to finish. (and no one will ever see my welds unless they take the car apart). NONE of the visible/outer part of the body or paint gets touched - as can be seen in the pics in this thread!

Lastly, I can’t buy a 993 with a 964 targa top, I have to make it. See my post here;
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/1332323-993-cab-to-true-targa-conversion.html

Cheers!

[brighton911]

Nice work on a delicate job. Targa's rock !

[group911@aol.co]

Looks 10 times better as a targa. Whose rubber did you use?

[Dpmulvan]

911 cabs just remind me of bad 80’s euro synth music, and women with Big Hair.

[Winter911]

Originally Posted by CosmosMoon

@Winter911
This is awesome - great work!
I'm working on a project to put a targa bar on a cab that has never been a targa (becauseit's a 993), and seeing this was really helpful/inspirational. I'd love to see your detailed write-up. For some reason the forum won't let me PM right now - working with the admins to figure out why - I'll PM you when I get it sorted. I'd love to hear about what you did to ensure it was at the right position/angle, and how you held it in place for the initial tack-welds.


Couple questions for you and the wider group:
I've read a bunch of threads with folks putting on the targa glass. They all do a hell of a lot of taping to keep it in place. Is there any reason why I have not read of anyone using a mild adhesive - like silicone or the Porsche glass adhesive - in a few strategic places to help make this easier? It seems like the sharp corners would be an ideal candidate for something like that since there's no chance for it to have to be shifted around during install. You have to cut the seal apart to get it off anyway so why no use some glue?

How tight would you guess the fit is between the window, seal, and metal pinch seam of the body / roll bar? In other words, if you think of it as a sandwich of glass, rubber, metal, is it:
a. the rubber compressed tight
b. the rubber is just resting on the metal / glass
c. slight gaps between the metal / rubber and/or glass/rubber?

I was actually thinking that spending the $95 for a spare window seal that I would just cut into short pieces to use to dry-fit the window and targa bar all together before welding would be money well spent - especially since I'll be paying someone else to do the welding. It would also help me unravel the mysteries of where to route the wiring without having to try to figure it out by pulling apart the layers. (I will have upper brake light and defroster wiring)

Cheers!

apologies for the delay. Life got busy.

First, my first mistake was using an URO seal. I'm sure the process wouldve been a lot easier with an OEM seal.

The reasoning for the tape is to keep the edges of the seal from slipping off the window. Once the seal is completely in place, you can carefully remove the tape.

the fit is pretty damn tight. I used the string method to slip the seal into the "lip"
and I had to pull it really hard to stretch the seal over the lip. No sealant of any kind. Just soapy water.

if you follow the thread i linked in page 1, you should have all the measurements you need. NOTE: One measurement on that thread it's not correct.. If you give me your email, I'll send you my complete write up and it'll show which one.


a. the rubber compressed tight: The rubber rests on the body mildly tight
b. the rubber is just resting on the metal / glass: The rubber holds on tight to the glass and metal.. this is the reason why seals can't be reused. they're on there so tight you have to tear the seal to remove the window.
c. slight gaps between the metal / rubber and/or glass/rubber? no gaps anywhere

[Winter911]

Here’s a few update pics








My bud decided to make a quick video of it. Nothing fancy but he got some good shots

https://youtu.be/LSb5mmyTUJU

[canamfan]

That looks amazing, not too many slant targas out there so always a pleasure to look at them from every angle, & gotta say, every angle is sexy

[Winter911]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

If you can afford it sell the cab and get a targa if the Carrera is in good shape don’t chop it up you’ll be losing money. Job is not for the faint of heart especially if you can’t weld, what are you going to do if someone screws it up?

This is true. We had to be super careful welding the bar. Could not let the metal get too hot or else the paint would start bubbling.

We covered the entire interior and exterior with leather blankets.

[Winter911]

Originally Posted by CosmosMoon

I appreciate the sentiment, and understand where you’re coming from. Here’s the thing though; I know I won’t get my money back on it - money is not the point, and all of the parts have been bought, I know we’ll what I’m getting in to and how much it will cost.
If someone screws it up, I’ll take it to someone else or redo it myself, I’ve learned many skills in my life, I can learn to TIG weld- at least enough to get into the right place so I can put the glass in and take it to a proper welder to finish. (and no one will ever see my welds unless they take the car apart). NONE of the visible/outer part of the body or paint gets touched - as can be seen in the pics in this thread!

Lastly, I can’t buy a 993 with a 964 targa top, I have to make it. See my post here;
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/1332323-993-cab-to-true-targa-conversion.html

Cheers!

I just read your thread and your bar is a really generous cut compared to mine. Should be easier to weld imo.

I’ll give you my honest opinion…

If I had a 993 cab, I’d absolutely convert it to a coupe instead of a targa. It’s been done plenty of times.

All the targa stuff you collected will sell fairly quickly since people are always looking to restore their cab->targa.

[CosmosMoon]

Originally Posted by Winter911

I just read your thread and your bar is a really generous cut compared to mine. Should be easier to weld imo.
I’ll give you my honest opinion…
If I had a 993 cab, I’d absolutely convert it to a coupe instead of a targa. It’s been done plenty of times.

Heh, well, I've never had any interest in a hard-top sports car, but I'm curious what appeals to you about the coupe vs the targa?

On another note, just to be clear, I have money in the budget to have it welded in professionally. The hard part is finding someone with the time and willingness to do it. I plan on doing so much vetting and viability checks before hand that it will be seen as a low-risk (and quick) job for them. I've talked to Porsche resto shops that are currently on a two year backlog for work.

Thanks for the tip on the heat / paint! Did you pull the oil tank before hand to avoid accidental damage? I'll see if my issue sending PMs has cleared up, and if so send you my email.

Thanks!