818 Targa

[Larry J W]

Attached are some pictures of a 818 Targa top I have working on for my personal use. The goal is a top that is easy to install in case of rain, to be able to see a traffic light without leaning over and not smell the exhaust fumes on a long trip. The Colorado sun can be quite intense too. There still is a lot of work to do but it is a start. The molding process went pretty smooth and should not be too difficult others to duplicate or try.
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Here is the redesigned rear deck with the top removed.
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This is the first time I posted a picture so I hope it works!
Larry

[redfogo]

Wow that's pretty cool! Nice job!

[AZPete]

Nice design and nice work!

[Kurk818]

Wow. Nice work. What was the thought process for removing the two humps over the the engine? Too cluttered otherwise?

Would love to see some of the build photos. Did you make a mold or is it a one off piece?

[Mitch Wright]

That looks awesome, nice job.

[flynntuna]

I was watching the other day the show, How it's made: Dream Cars - Falcon F7. It reminded me as a cross between the GTM and the 818. I thought how cool would it be to make a targa top for the 818, then this morning I see your thread and see that someone has taken that idea and ran with it. Bravo!

[AZPete]

Larry, I love your targa mod, but have you thought about a rear window? Since I have removed my coupe hardtop for some engine work, I can get photos of the window wall from the front and back. It looks to me like it might fit with your targa top.

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[Larry J W]

Thanks all for the feedback on the targa top. The plan for now is to drive and evaluate the top and get back to other projects. All the new parts bolt to existing holes and in less than a ½ hour I could go back to stock.

AZPete, the rear window will be full width located just before the roll bar and bolted to the fire wall. Slots would be cut in the Lexan for the shoulder harnesses. An alternative is located it behind the roll bar and bonded to the top. Slots would be cut for the cross members.

Ideas for the top run from canvas with clear windows to a solid top if it could be stored in the trunk area. Another alternative is a T top with a center brace to the windshield.

I am also considering side windows to minimize the blind spots. As it gets driven this summer we will find out how important they are.

The core of the assembly is ½ inch foam insulation on a wooden body buck. To make the sharper curves near the door the insulation was laminated and shaped. The insulation is then covered with fiberglass cloth. Once the outside is glassed it can be cut from the buck and glassed on the inside. With the structural layers a ½ inch apart you have a very strong but light weight composite. Generally the parts required less than a 1/16 inch of fill. Check out some of the youtube videos on foam core surf boards, model airplanes and boats for more information.

As for the rear deck I have never liked the humps. It also irritated me a bit when asked if “it is on a VW pan?” or “has a VW engine?” like in the old kit car days. Because of that I wanted to expose the engine more than stock. In the future a nice 3.6 would look good in there!

I hope that answers most of the questions so far.

Larry

[redbudrr]

I really like what you have done. Your work is very inspirational!!

[turbomacncheese]

Outstanding. Really, REALLY nice work. I'm going to attempt something similar to this, but I haven't made it to the bodywork yet. Actually, I haven't made it to gokart yet. I hadn't considered just making a new rear engine cover and removing the humps, but this is really....clean. Any chance you have documentation of the process you are willing to share?

[walt555]

Wow! Looks like it came that way, awesome fab work!

[Frank818]

The rear looks like a Porsche 914, awesome!

[lance corsi]

The rear looks like a Porsche 914, awesome!

More like a Honda Del Sol imo. But it looks good. I like it!

[Mechie3]

Nice! I like it. I think the Targa fits better than the FFR coupe rear.