Retro fit??

Author
Discussion

sacha

Original Poster:

504 posts

260 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
Has anybody thought of retro fitting targa panels to there t350C. I dont know if its available from the factory, otherwise im sure there must be other things available?
I only ask this as looking at the way the car is built, I belive it wouldnt be to difficult to do but any suggestions would be appriciated, as i may be missing the point in the way the roof may be more structual then i think. What do you think to this or am i being stupid

>>> Edited by sacha on Tuesday 1st June 12:08

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I thought about that to (sadly too late after I had ordered the coupe' !!)

The main problem would be fitting the extra roll cage stiffening member. Targa versions have an extra stiffening beam which runs longitudinally between the two openings of the panels. The only way I can see of doing this properly is that you would have to remove the body to allow for the full circumferential weld. Of course, "anythings possible", but I'm not sure how much all this would cost in labour...

other than that, I dont see much of a problem - just cutting the openings and re-trimming!!!

sacha

Original Poster:

504 posts

260 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I saw that on the targa there is this strengthening beam, but what i can understand is why, as the the cage is what gives the rigidity so cutting the roof in theory would not affect this.
Could it be that TVR though about people doing this so fitted the extra bar so as to put people off??

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong, but....

...cutting holes in the roof will affect its ridgidity - I presume the extra stiffening bar is to compensate for this loss when the panels are removed. As to the effectiveness / necessity of this, I'm not sure..

trefor

14,656 posts

289 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I thought about getting a Coupe and having an aftermarket sunroof fitted - I see no reason why not, esp. since there is a full rollcage holding the car rigid. Someone like Webasto might be able to help.

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I put up a previous post re. fitting a sunroof - nobody replied (sensibly!). one problem with sunroof is the weight for a GRP roof to support - glass rather than the Carbon fibre targa panels.

trefor

14,656 posts

289 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
A sunroof isn't that heavy though, GRP is quite tough really. Anyway, what about a Citroen C3 Pluriel style pull back canvas roof (similar to the 2CV?)

Look at the Hollandia 400 on this page:

www.webasto.co.uk/am/en/am_automobile_3016.html

I think it would work.

Edited to add this link where there are better images:

www.open-air-feeling.com

>> Edited by trefor on Tuesday 1st June 13:49

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I HOPE you are joking!!!?!?

That would look awfull!!

Podie

46,643 posts

281 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
mjc said:
... stiffening member.


[nob gag]

[/nob gag]

trefor

14,656 posts

289 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
mjc said:
I HOPE you are joking!!!?!?

That would look awfull!!


Why? It wouldn't look any worse than the current cheap looking finish around the targa panels? (see my profile before you flame me)

Get a removable glass panel then ...

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
I think the 100 or 300 might look ok.....

trefor

14,656 posts

289 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
mjc said:
I think the 100 or 300 might look ok.....


I see from your profile that you're in Bucks, whereabouts? I'm near Wycombe and collect my T350T this week.

mjc

434 posts

247 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
Milton Keynes - I hope to pick mine up in the next 10 days - perhaps we could meet up..?!

Trefor

14,656 posts

289 months

Tuesday 1st June 2004
quotequote all
Sure - email me offline when you've got the car, hopefully mine will arrive within 10 days too. Need to put some miles on it to run it in.