Targa tops
11-06-2003, 01:43 PM
#1
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Targa tops
I was wandering what is this? I've heard a few peopel talk about them before. I've never seen one or even heard of it before?
Anyone with some pics of them. Do you just cut your top or what? Thanks alot Boes
Anyone with some pics of them. Do you just cut your top or what? Thanks alot Boes
11-06-2003, 01:47 PM
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Car: 1981 Chevy Malibu, 1987 Formula 350
Engine: 229 V6, L98 TPI 350
Transmission: TH350, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt ???, 9 bolt 3.27 posi
a targa top is like what the /c4c5 vettes, viper RT/10's, and lots of other cars have.....basicly its like one giant t-top that you can take off instead of two
when people do this mod to thirdgens, i guess they get custom glass made and just eliminate the T bar part of it and do some other ****....
when people do this mod to thirdgens, i guess they get custom glass made and just eliminate the T bar part of it and do some other ****....
11-06-2003, 02:22 PM
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Car: 1990 Formula
Engine: 305 TBI (LO3)
Transmission: 5 speed manual
i know at least one person on here has done it and it looks sweet, but i think it would be a PITA to do and i'm sure that effects the structural integrity of the car as well
11-06-2003, 02:57 PM
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Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: 383 stroker
Transmission: 700R4 3500 stall, TransGo shift kit
Axle/Gears: Moser 9", 4.11:1
A couple people are trying it right now, but they haven't finished yet.
11-06-2003, 03:11 PM
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
I'm in the process of making a 82 z28 into a targa top car.
I'm going to probally make 2 or 3 different tops for the car.
1 out of plexiglass, fiberglass, and one out of 1/4th thick aluminum, and polish it up for shows
The process is rather simple, you just need subframe connectors installed prior to cutting out the Tbar and making all of modifications for a single top to fit and seal on the roof.
In my case I'm doing the first part a little different. I'm going to make a frame to make the whole car stiffer and stronger in the mid section. IMO its better than subframe connectors since my frame will support the car both in the front and side to side movements of the chasis.
I got lots of pics of it here, www.cardomain.com/id/82targaz28
Trailblaze has done this as well. I think thats his screen name, he has 1 or 2 threads that he has pics in. Dont know if they still work.
I'm going to probally make 2 or 3 different tops for the car.
1 out of plexiglass, fiberglass, and one out of 1/4th thick aluminum, and polish it up for shows
The process is rather simple, you just need subframe connectors installed prior to cutting out the Tbar and making all of modifications for a single top to fit and seal on the roof.
In my case I'm doing the first part a little different. I'm going to make a frame to make the whole car stiffer and stronger in the mid section. IMO its better than subframe connectors since my frame will support the car both in the front and side to side movements of the chasis.
I got lots of pics of it here, www.cardomain.com/id/82targaz28
Trailblaze has done this as well. I think thats his screen name, he has 1 or 2 threads that he has pics in. Dont know if they still work.
11-06-2003, 03:33 PM
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Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
TPI383 is also doing that to his 91 Z..... its allready made into a targa...
i donno if he finished his carbon fiber targa cover yet, and he still hasnt laid the HOK paint on it yet, but the car is a targa top...
i donno if he finished his carbon fiber targa cover yet, and he still hasnt laid the HOK paint on it yet, but the car is a targa top...
11-06-2003, 04:19 PM
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Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Boosted LSX
Originally posted by MrDude_1
TPI383 is also doing that to his 91 Z..... its allready made into a targa...
i donno if he finished his carbon fiber targa cover yet, and he still hasnt laid the HOK paint on it yet, but the car is a targa top...
TPI383 is also doing that to his 91 Z..... its allready made into a targa...
i donno if he finished his carbon fiber targa cover yet, and he still hasnt laid the HOK paint on it yet, but the car is a targa top...
I have a 91Vert That the front end was totaled. so I may take the vert rear clip and convert the 92Z to a vert.
92 TARGA or VERT...
Last edited by FSTFBDY; 11-06-2003 at 04:23 PM.
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11-06-2003, 10:14 PM
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Car: 91 Camaro Vert
Engine: 02 LS1, HX40
Transmission: 2002 LS1 M6
Originally posted by TPl383
Its a 92 btw.. and I dono what I want to do now.
I have a 91Vert That the front end was totaled. so I may take the vert rear clip and convert the 92Z to a vert.
92 TARGA or VERT...
Its a 92 btw.. and I dono what I want to do now.
I have a 91Vert That the front end was totaled. so I may take the vert rear clip and convert the 92Z to a vert.
92 TARGA or VERT...
i know that..... i just mistyped.
11-07-2003, 02:06 PM
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That look cooler than he** wander how much work it is to make it? Anyone have an estimate on how much it SHOULD cost lol How hard is it to have a top made for one of these also and how do u do that? I would like to do it? but do you have to have a T-top to do it or can u just use a regular hard top? Can anyone help 
11-07-2003, 03:47 PM
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UR PROLLY RIGHT BAD91Z but all I have right now is a regular steel top (not t-top or convertible car) Thats why i was akin does anyone have any idea if i could use a donor car to get what i needed? If so what all do i need? (I'm new to this i want somehting awesome cuz i live in a small town and nobody sees cars like that everyday) I wanna be the person who drives through town and everyone but drops there jaw and asks all around who is that Thats why i ask alot of things Sorry for bugging anyone but thats what i want lol
Thats why i ask alot of things Sorry for bugging anyone but thats what i want lol
11-07-2003, 04:21 PM
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Car: Faster
Engine: Than
Transmission: You!
It can still be done with a hardtop car, but as far as cutting the roof off and welding in the metal supports you are going to need to secure the targa, you might want a good custom body shop to do that for you! 
11-07-2003, 06:57 PM
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Car: 91 Camaro RS
Engine: 3.1L V-6
Transmission: Fresh 700R4
it would be best to buy a whole t-top car and convert it to a targa and prolly cheaper too, once most of the work is done you could sell your car and use the funds to finish the remainder of the project and have a hella nice ride
11-07-2003, 07:47 PM
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
Your best bet is to get a T'top car. The hard top roof frame isnt exactly the same as a T'top cars. So there will be extra fabricatoin than just having a t'top car with the roof nearly in the perfect condition to start from. All you have to do is add subframe connectors and then cut out the Tbar and fab up the gutters and a single top with the t'top hardware.
11-07-2003, 08:20 PM
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Car: 08 Sierra, 08 Silverado, 91 z28
Engine: 5.3, 4.3, 5.7
Transmission: autos
i dont know if this would work or anything but it came to mind when i read this thread. for the top for the targa, couldnt u go cut the part of the roof u need to cover the hole out of a hard top car. then transfer some t top hardware on the sides of the top. make some kind of latch for the middle. or would that not work?
11-07-2003, 09:51 PM
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Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Boosted LSX
Originally posted by 89cmrodriver
i dont know if this would work or anything but it came to mind when i read this thread. for the top for the targa, couldnt u go cut the part of the roof u need to cover the hole out of a hard top car. then transfer some t top hardware on the sides of the top. make some kind of latch for the middle. or would that not work?
i dont know if this would work or anything but it came to mind when i read this thread. for the top for the targa, couldnt u go cut the part of the roof u need to cover the hole out of a hard top car. then transfer some t top hardware on the sides of the top. make some kind of latch for the middle. or would that not work?
My top is gona be made of a carboncomposit and painted body color. A buddy Kenny and I are making the top ourself.
11-07-2003, 11:10 PM
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i think that idea may work. cutting the top out of a regular top. Thats not a bad idea....i didn't think of that hell i could just go buy a cheap junkyard beauty and then swap out all my parts from my camaro and then paint it lol:hail: :hail: :hail: Thats not a bad idea lol thast why we have these lol so eveeryone can put there .02 in Way to be thinkin man lol
11-07-2003, 11:11 PM
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Any pics of some finished project or projects at work...That would help out tremendously Thanks for all the info :hail: :hail: :hail: :hail: It has helped me out alot and now i wanan do it even more lol
11-08-2003, 01:53 AM
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
Thats your best bet. I bought my 82 z28 for 50.00. If I destroy the car in the process I only lost 50 bones and the time put into the project.
A junkyard car that is still salvageable is the way to go with this type of project + theres nothing more fun that resurecting a 3rdgen from the graveyard.
For pics of completed cars check out a old tv show called Simon And Simon targa top cars were used in that show.
Also try a search for Trailblaze
A junkyard car that is still salvageable is the way to go with this type of project
+ theres nothing more fun that resurecting a 3rdgen from the graveyard. For pics of completed cars check out a old tv show called Simon And Simon
targa top cars were used in that show. Also try a search for Trailblaze
11-08-2003, 12:44 PM
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I know me too that simon and simon car kinda looks like it was a hardtop!! I wish I had the time and monmey to get it done now only a few weeks maybe a month or two lol
11-09-2003, 07:54 PM
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Car: 1986 Trans Am
Engine: 305 LB9 TPI
Transmission: 700-R4
no guys it wasnt a hardtop car. you can look at the small details like the factory locations of the dead bolt things for the t-tops,
11-09-2003, 08:04 PM
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Car: 08 Sierra, 08 Silverado, 91 z28
Engine: 5.3, 4.3, 5.7
Transmission: autos
it looks to me like it was a hard top. since the framing on the targa panel looks like the bracing in the roof on a hardtop. and those latches, id think theyd use t top latches if it was from a actual t top car. any one recall how much that car went for? i bet it was worth some money but it was in bad need of a resto
edit: it also has the hardtop sunvisors
edit: it also has the hardtop sunvisors
11-09-2003, 10:17 PM
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Car: 85 Camaro SC
Engine: V6
Transmission: 700r4
Also note the lack of the weatherstripping metal channels and stock type weatherstripping.
The latch mechanisms dont look like the stock t'top latches. The metal locks, or the metal things that the top secures itself to are the stock ones though. They are moved more inward as well.
The latch mechanisms dont look like the stock t'top latches. The metal locks, or the metal things that the top secures itself to are the stock ones though. They are moved more inward as well.
11-09-2003, 11:33 PM
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Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Some really interesting pictures here....I always enjoy unique custom touches like this, even if I would never do them myself.
I admit, I really like how the Corvettes look with them.
I admit, I really like how the Corvettes look with them.
11-14-2003, 03:40 AM
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Car: '99 Trans Am, '86 Camaro
Engine: LS1, Scrap
Transmission: T56, T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Stock ZT, 3.42 Open
I'm surprised noone's pointed out the hardtop sun visors (which look very, very original, might I add) . Also, those T-top latch holes on the frame are definitely *not* stock location.
11-14-2003, 04:27 PM
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Car: 08 Sierra, 08 Silverado, 91 z28
Engine: 5.3, 4.3, 5.7
Transmission: autos
Originally posted by 89cmrodriver
it looks to me like it was a hard top. since the framing on the targa panel looks like the bracing in the roof on a hardtop. and those latches, id think theyd use t top latches if it was from a actual t top car. any one recall how much that car went for? i bet it was worth some money but it was in bad need of a resto
edit: it also has the hardtop sunvisors
it looks to me like it was a hard top. since the framing on the targa panel looks like the bracing in the roof on a hardtop. and those latches, id think theyd use t top latches if it was from a actual t top car. any one recall how much that car went for? i bet it was worth some money but it was in bad need of a resto
edit: it also has the hardtop sunvisors
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