Samps

Since it seems everyone wants to fabricate roofs now for our cars. Why not get a targa section from a vert and use it on a coupe? Just cut the roof section out, get the hinges on top of the windshield from a vert, and fab some hinges on the rear hatch. It might work. I think a coupe with a targa roof would be the best of both worlds. Anyone want to cut the roof off of their car to see if it will fit?

rico05

No, but if it works, I will sell my soul in order to buy the set up! I have often wondered about his myself, except use the parts form the vert, but the hard top from the coupe. Make a targa like that on a (dare I say it) Poopra (supra)?

AcmeSkater

The Tagra off a supra would 0wn, but i don't know if it would look right. I love those roofs and think they are soo sweet looking.

stinkfist

I was just thinking about this the other day. I think it would be cool as hell. I don't think you could use the targa piece off a vert though. I don't think the roof lines are the same. It shouldn't be too hard to fabricate. Think about it. All those lowrider truck boys do it. And we know they aren't that bright.

Mike

Iwant7

That would be nice. But If you really wantet a nice look how about a removable glass roof or even a t-top just my thoughts

MisterMatt

but why don't you just buy a vert? it would seem to me that it would be more trouble than it's worth to do that to a coupe and do it properly.
God Bless,
<>< <>< Matt ><> ><>

VashtheStampede

well... more trouble than its worth wins car shows.
going the easy route means doing the same thing as everyone else.

plus its nice to forge a new path instead of following someone else's.

'Vert in Vegas

If you were to cut a coupe like that you would lose ALL structural integrity.
Why the VERT is so heavy: The reinforcement necessary to compensate for no roof connected to windshield.

mazdaspeed7

Please someone talk me into cutting the roof up on my FC. I want a targa top so bad, but I just cant bring myself to chop up my daily driver yet. Maybe if I get a vert within a few months like Im trying to.

Getting a little more realistic, when/if I get a vert, Ill be retiring my coupe as a daily driver, so theres A good chance this would happen. Of course, I would cage it before I cut the roof off.

'Vert in Vegas

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mazdaspeed7
[B]Please someone talk me into cutting the roof up on my FC. I want a targa top so bad, but I just cant bring myself to chop up my daily driver yet.


Take a good look at the windshield on a VERT. I don't know if it is the same glass or curve.
And you wouldn't have the finished and shaped area (or hardware) above the glass after you cut your roof.
Buy a VERT fixer-upper, and put all your good stuff on it.

Of course I have one for sale.

ForsakenRX7

you know its funny this thread came up. But about 3 weeks ago I saw someone here in my town in traffic with a targa top 2nd gen. I couldnt believe it when I saw it. I wanted to run the guy down but I was in the turning lane and he was going straight. It looked awesome as hell. GOD, I wish I coulda ran that guy down.

mazdaspeed7

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 'Vert in Vegas
[B]I guess you havent been around long enough to be familiar with some of the stuff I do in fiberglass and cf. I could easily pull that off, its just a matter of doing it. Like I said, I would get it caged, then cut the roof out, and make a cf panel, possibly with a very large lexan window. But right now its just something I would like to do, I dont know the chances of me really doing it anytime soon.

Icemark

In therory you should be able to chop the roof off, and build the Targa top in since the pan is the same on the vert as the coupe, just they add re-enforcements to the vert.

Probably the easiest way would to be get a vert for parts, chop off the A pillers and front roof from the vert and coupe, weld the factory A pillers and windshield top from the vert onto the chopped coupe body, use the doors off the vert and the factory targa top.

Some custom body work would need to be done at the back of the doors in the window area, but the 'vert's gaskets and body frame could be used as substructure for the coupe back.

Might be just easier to buy a 'vert and drive with the back top up.

mazdaspeed7

Do you have any idea how hard it is to cut through the b-pillars?

That is my totaled 89 GTU. My and my brother tried to cut through the A and B pillars with a diamond-bladed commercial saw. he works for a construction company, and let me tell you this thing was a beast when it came to cutting. He spent 45 min to cut through one A-pillar, and then gave up. It is very thick, very strong steel.

BTW, the roof itself is MUCH thinner.

Icemark

With targa you wouldn't need to cut the B pillars.

AcmeSkater

Its really not hard they do it to mini trucks and old street rods all the time, Ill see if i can find the article and see what stuff they used. I would not want a Vert coup just a coup like the Supra Tagra b/c it looks so sweet, I am about to buy a '86 gxl for the parts and a motor to rebuild maybe ill try to make it. A CF Supra style Tagra would look sweet in the car and add strength + the weight savings. I might really try this, anyone know if there is any other eletrical wires running through the roof becides the sunroof stuff??

mazdaspeed7

There arent any wires running through the roof besides the sunroof ones.

BTW, RX7's have incredibly strong bodies. The pic of my car was sitting on its roof for an hour after I flipped it.

AcmeSkater

I know that, but all cars are strong especially trucks and the cut the A piller and the back out then chopped it and laid the windsheild back to 45 degres(sp). Use a tourch it should cut it, metal is metal any way you look at it and it will melt, or brtter yet try a plasma cutter, im not sure if it would cut it tho. I found a problem w/ making the supra style tagra or any for that matter but its easly solved, the doors would look kinda messed up w/ the full frame, you need to get 'vert doors.

Bill Harrison

I can vouch for the strength of the body. I cut the roof off a car with a cutting torch, and DAMN it was solid. Cant fault the strenght of these cars!

88gxl

Can one of you guys photochop a pic of a targa topped coupe, it would be really neat to see.

EndlessRPMs

ummm wouldnt u need the doors off of a vert also? how would you fab the doors since there is still metal over the windows?

Icemark

Yep, thats what I suggested.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

How about gull wings? Simply cut two sections out of the roof, install hinges, use square iron to make a frame, install roof panel. You then have roof panels that are strong, and lift up like book pages. Now, reinforce the door witht the same square iron (preferably, inside the door skin) and weld to the panels you made on the roof. Remove the hinges on the side, and add another latch in the hinge area. Use two gas struts to hold the doors up, and a torsion bar system (ala the DeLorean) to assist in lifting. Shouldn't be that hard to do. Yes, I've put a lot of thought into this.

Icemark

Been done plenty of times back in the late 80's, and doesn't get the open air feel of a targa.

kristopher_d

I like my hard top, but if you've got the car, the time, the money, and the willingness, go for it.

I won't buy 'verts for one simple reason, I've looked UP at the road twice so far. My G-pa has done it 3 times, but it took him a lot longer to get to two. Although I hope not to do it again, odds are that a 'vert would result in my head and body following different paths.

Go for it though.