Targa Roof?

[wantahertzdonut]

I've had this crazy idea in my head the last year or so to take a 69-73 coupe, make B-pillar extensions so it would resemble a fastback from the side (similar to the Mexican Shelby), and then cut the portion of the roof to make a targa roof similar to a Corvette or some Ferraris. I'd imagine the same bracing as a convertible would be necessary and maybe even a small cage.

My question is has anyone done anything crazy like this? I'd want to still have the removed section to be replacable in case it's cold out (maybe). But I have no idea how I could make a latch setup so the removed section could be put back.

Also, has this been done by anyone before? I may never do it since I already have one project in line in front of it (my Mach) but I just want to see if I'm crazy for even thinking of such a thing. If anyone has a picture of this or would want to photoshop something, I'd be curious to see how it would look in person (I have it in my head, but I don't have photoshop).

Am I crazy for wanting to do this?

[bnickel]

i think it would be fairly cool. if you you really want to do it and not have a whole ton of work, the 71-73 coupes already have a b pillar similar to what you are suggesting. as for the latch assembly i'd just use a modified latch assembly from a c-4 vette.

[wantahertzdonut]

That's not a bad idea. I'm really just interested in a cheap, fun car so I'm leaning toward the 71-73's. I'm also not too set on the notchback look, I just know coupes are cheaper than fastbacks. Should I find a good fastback I'd just as soon use that. I'll start keeping my eyes open.

I found a good picture of a 68 coupe that has a fastback roof welded on and then the flat portion of the roof cut out, I'll have to post up the pictures. It looks really slick.

[bnickel]

definitely do post some pics. i had toyed around with the idea of doing the same thing to my car years back, i'm glad i didn't now though, since my car is factory 69 GT. i would have ruined any kind of value of the car had i done that.

not that i'm terribly concerned about value since this was my first car and i've had it for more than twenty years now and don't foresee selling it in the next 20, but i am limiting all my mods to bolt on stuff that can be undone easily. the only exception is the paint color and interior. the car was originally lime gold with an ivy gold standard standard interior and i absolutely hated that color combo. so now the car is acapulco blue with a black deluxe interior and 86 gt bucket seats instead of the factory low backs, otherwise it's all stock

[wantahertzdonut]

Here's some pics:

[wantahertzdonut]

extra post and I don't have delete privelages as far as I know

[bnickel]

you know that actually lokos pretty damn good, better than i thought it would actually.

i say go for it if you can find a good 71-73 coupe as a starting point

[wantahertzdonut]

I'd swear I've seen this done on a 69 fastback as well, and it looked pretty good. I might be imagining things though. I think it's definitely a standout, and if done properly could be a lot of fun. I'll be searching!

[bnickel]

is this the one you're thinking about maybe?

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/703264

[mikey]

Another possible source might be from a truckin magazine. They like to do that to the minis alot. Might be something you could use or at least get a few ideas. That stang looks pretty cool.

[indyjps]

how about t-top latches.

[wantahertzdonut]

is this the one you're thinking about maybe?

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/703264

Nope, never seen that one before! Strangely enough T-tops did cross my mind once or twice but it seems like it would be a heck of a lot of extra work. The one I was thinking of was red or maroon and looked pretty normal otherwise (no big rear tires, no tunnel-ram engine)

That guy did have a Mad Max engine on his page though, with supercharger and Scott Hat on top. If he only had an Australian Falcon...

Mikey- They have Minis in a truck magazine?

Indyjps- That's a good idea with using the latch mechanism from t-tops. I'll definitely keep that in mind. Bruised T-tops would be a lot cheaper than good ones from a junkyard and having the parts would make life very easy!

[wantahertzdonut]

Ok so I tracked down the owner of that 68, turns out he lives near Buffalo. It's convenient for me because I'm up that way quite a bit throughout the winter, so I'm going to have to stop up there maybe during the week of Christmas to check it out. I'll get a lot of details and some good close-up pictures then. Apparently this guy is pretty good at this sort of thing, currently he's working on making a 68 Cougar into a convertible.

[DarkBuddha]

I did a photochop of my own Mach with a Targa 2 or 3 years ago... I don't think I've ever posted it, but I'll see if I can find it on my home machine's harddrive this evening. It could be my 'chop, but I didn't really like the way it looked. I love targa cars and have owned and driven a few (my personal favorite being several Fiat X1/9s my father has owned). I often wished the Lancia Scorpion was a proper targa, instead of the tedious psuedo convertible thing.

[wantahertzdonut]

Yeah the idea is pretty neat, I only started thinking about it more after riding around in my friend's T-top Camaro all summer. It's just nice having that open roof above you. A convertible is neat too but I never like how they look with the top up.

[DarkBuddha]

Thank goodness for email notification... I totally forgot I was gonna post this. BTW, this is from a long while ago, from when I was just sorta really getting started with photochopping pics, so it ain't the best, but you'll get the idea...