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| Has anyone seen this FIero Targa Top Kit? (Page 1/2) |
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Dennis LaGrua
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NOV 14, 07:15 PM
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This Targa top kit was made back in the 1980's by a company called AutoDyne but I have yet to see one that's been installed. The literature claims that it uses a one piece detachable roof section with frame reinforcements. The top piece reportedly is stored on the baggage rack and when installed clamps securely to the top of the windshield and the rear roof section. It looks pretty nice in the picture.
I just wonder how many kits were sold and installed.
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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE " [This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 11-14-2020).]
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Raydar
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NOV 14, 07:43 PM
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Seems like there was a Targa section of some sort at the Fiero Factory, laying in the showroom, but I have no idea what became of it.
Also, at least one person on the forum had a complete - and driving - targa conversion, done on a notchie.[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-14-2020).]
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fieroguru
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NOV 14, 07:54 PM
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Dennis LaGrua
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NOV 14, 08:14 PM
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Interesting info here. If I were to install a Targa top I would definitely install a subframe that ties in front and uniframe members like is done on a convertible. If the price was two grand back in the day, that would be like 4 grand today. Certainly very expensive for basically a fiberglass panel, the windshield header, the reinforcements and some attaching hardware. While this is a novel idea the cost may not be worth the result. Around that time I purchased a complete retractable Califrornia Convertible kit for $1800 including the top. ------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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cam-a-lot
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NOV 14, 09:31 PM
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I had one of these kits way back in the day, on an 85 GT
Looks cool, but squeaks and rattles, lots of body flex, hard time closing the doors, despite the frames supports that were meant to add rigidity. Definitely would not recommend
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GTGeff
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NOV 14, 10:44 PM
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I was just looking at my photocopy of their ad yesterday in my collection of Fiero stuff.
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Raydar
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NOV 15, 07:36 AM
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I believe that the one in Ed's showroom was the Corson kit.
Edit - I was very wrong about my comment regarding the B&B project, but I still believe it was never completely developed. I have never seen one in the wild.[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-15-2020).]
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hyperv6
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NOV 15, 09:20 AM
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Well l remember these kits from back in the day. I had considered them.
Roof storage is a problem if you don’t have a luggage rack. Also the flex is horrible.
I went with the C&C t top on my car. The TTop cars have a little more flex than stock but nothing like the targa.
Chassis reinforcement helps but it is still not enough.
Few were sold and very few survived.
The space frame was just not designed for a targa. The T top either but C&C did a good job of coming up with an acceptable solution that would pass GM’s approval not to void the warranty.
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Dennis LaGrua
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NOV 15, 11:02 AM
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Originally posted by hyperv6 w replies
Roof storage is a problem if you don’t have a luggage rack. Also the flex is horrible.
>>>>>>> That and price is why they probably sold poorly. A fold-able soft top that could fit in the trunk would have been far better. If you didn't have the luggage rack this Targa kit is useless. Rain can happen at any time.
I went with the C&C t top on my car. The TTop cars have a little more flex than stock but nothing like the targa.
>>>>>>>Absolutely, the center roof support will undoubtedly help
Chassis reinforcement helps but it is still not enough.
>>>>>>>I believe that the Targa top conversion would need the welded full under-frame Brisa Convertibe design to work. That under-frame is welded from 1" x 3" steel channel. It welds to the front cross-member, the uni-body front rails, then goes back to attach to the rear frame where the cradle mounts are and also near the jack points. Finally there is a bolted in piece that ties in right and left sides of the frame channels, in order to facilitate gas tank removal if needed.
Few were sold and very few survived.
>>>>>>>I have been to many Fiero events and have never seen one of these. Perhaps the resulting bent frames caused many if not most of these cars to be scrapped.
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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
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sourmash
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NOV 15, 11:06 AM
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A one piece top is better for resisting water penetration but a two piece solid top like T-tops would be a way to solve the storage issue without the problems of actual T-tops with their specific and hard to source T-top only parts. That was always my thought. Seems like the Solstice coupe (which is a targa) has an issue of storage of the top. A two piece design would address that issue. A fabric take along top would too. Leave the hard top at home and stow the fabric one for just in case.
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