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> Fixed hardtop options
mepstein
post Jan 5 2016, 08:00 AM
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I'd like to do a steel/fixed hardtop on one of my cars. Probably the Subaru conversion. It's been done before so I know time and money will get me one. I'm wondering if I can go a slightly different angle on the mod.

Weld in steel stiffeners front to back.
Lay a slightly modified oem targa top over the stiffeners.
Leave enough room at the front to bond the lip of the targa top into the window frame channel and bolt and bond the top and the steel stiffeners together.

Thoughts?




(I just gave Pat Garvey a migraine)
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EdwardBlume
post Jan 5 2016, 09:05 AM
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I thought about using the top as a template but strength would be more important... Good luck! Can't wait to see your progress!
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JmuRiz
post Jan 5 2016, 09:23 AM
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Maybe do a GT style bolt in top. Check Armondo's site for details.

It'll mean some a-pillar stiffening, welding in some bolt-in attachment points, and cross bracing the top.

This way if for some reason you want to take the top off you just have to unbolt it.
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76-914
post Jan 5 2016, 09:51 AM
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QUOTE(mepstein @ Jan 5 2016, 06:00 AM) *

I'd like to do a steel/fixed hardtop on one of my cars. Probably the Subaru conversion. It's been done before so I know time and money will get me one. I'm wondering if I can go a slightly different angle on the mod.

Weld in steel stiffeners front to back.
Lay a slightly modified oem targa top over the stiffeners.
Leave enough room at the front to bond the lip of the targa top into the window frame channel and bolt and bond the top and the steel stiffeners together.

Thoughts?




(I just gave Pat Garvey a migraine)

The rear trunk lid is very similar in shape and size. It could cover the ribs you make with an old trunk skin? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
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914forme
post Jan 5 2016, 12:36 PM
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Racer Chris / Tangerine

Patrick

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Root Werks

Or my feeble attempt yet to be proven except that a 944 top A-Pillar and a 914 A-pilar are both made from 18a sheet metal. And the curve for the front of the 944 top fits the 914 windshield very nicely.

I will be using 16a sheet metal to make the internal ribbing, as it is what I have on hand. And I might be re-enforcing the windshield pillars with 16 ga. also. But after seeing the 944 a-pilars I am thinking that is overkill! Now if I can see the inside of a 914 A-pilar I could verify that it is strong enough to do the job requested.

Anybody want to donate a windshield frame to the cause? I have tried to pay a guy for the frame, and never heard back. Just need one side from the top to the cowl, so I can put it through a bandsaw and see what the sections look like.

BTW, I tried a bolt down top, and never got past the mockup, figuring if I was going to all that work to bond the thing around a steel frame, I might as well add a steel skin and weld the entire thing together.
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dflesburg
post Jan 5 2016, 01:09 PM
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Years ago someone cut a top off a 924 and then cut and welded it in on top of the 914....

That's the only one I remember.
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rgalla9146
post Jan 5 2016, 02:33 PM
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QUOTE(dflesburg @ Jan 5 2016, 02:09 PM) *

Years ago someone cut a top off a 924 and then cut and welded it in on top of the 914....

That's the only one I remember.


IIRC that was George Root of ROOTWERKS.
Not only did he graft on a 944 roof he used one that had the tilt / remove sunroof included.
The car has moved from owner to owner a few times, I think TC has owned it twice.
Blue metallic 6 GT conversion.
Beautiful car.
Someone better than me can find the thread.
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mepstein
post Jan 5 2016, 02:35 PM
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I know what's been done and who's done it. I was wondering about the feasibility of what I posted. Thanks
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r_towle
post Jan 5 2016, 05:17 PM
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Front to back bracing at both sides above the windows, and an X brace of some sort should do the trick.
You may want to mechanically fasten (along with adhesive) the final roof section to the car to help prevent future cracking from movement.
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SirAndy
post Jan 5 2016, 06:18 PM
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QUOTE(mepstein @ Jan 5 2016, 06:00 AM) *
Thoughts?

If you want a steel roof, do it right!


Bonding in a fiberglass roof would make you a future DAPO ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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mepstein
post Jan 5 2016, 07:22 PM
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QUOTE(SirAndy @ Jan 5 2016, 07:18 PM) *

QUOTE(mepstein @ Jan 5 2016, 06:00 AM) *
Thoughts?

If you want a steel roof, do it right!


Bonding in a fiberglass roof would make you a future DAPO ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

If that's the case I won't. I was just wondering if this could be done more reasonably priced without going ghetto.
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r_towle
post Jan 5 2016, 07:38 PM
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Don't be a DAPO
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Cairo94507
post Jan 5 2016, 07:44 PM
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I have to agree with Andy on this Mark. Go steel or don't do it. I have always liked the steel roof on the Car TC has owned twice.
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rgalla9146
post Jan 5 2016, 08:11 PM
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OK Mark, now I've got you
I've had the same thought.
Why re-invent the wheel ?
This is how I imagine it.
Eliminate the front roof seal. Move the roof forward to close the gap.
Do metal work to create a 1" or 2" wide horizontal metal to fiberglass contact across the front and rear of the roof. Eliminate all latches.
Glue the original roof on. IT WILL become part of the structure. Run a 1/4 " bead of black silicone to seal the front. Of course there are more details. The roof can remain black or be painted body color.
Many modern cars have glued on panels.
The rear quarters on a Suburban are glued on, I'm sure there are many others.
Why not ?
With all due respect to Andy and Rich and Cairo.
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Cairo94507
post Jan 5 2016, 10:17 PM
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rgalla9146 - No problem or offense taken. I just like the idea of all steel, welded and finished. Scotty could handle that with no problem I am quite sure.
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carr914
post Jan 6 2016, 05:25 AM
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QUOTE(JmuRiz @ Jan 5 2016, 10:23 AM) *

Maybe do a GT style bolt in top. Check Armondo's site for details.

It'll mean some a-pillar stiffening, welding in some bolt-in attachment points, and cross bracing the top.

This way if for some reason you want to take the top off you just have to unbolt it.


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mepstein
post Jan 6 2016, 06:00 AM
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QUOTE(Cairo94507 @ Jan 5 2016, 11:17 PM) *

rgalla9146 - No problem or offense taken. I just like the idea of all steel, welded and finished. Scotty could handle that with no problem I am quite sure.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
This is my suby conversion car (already cut up by the PO). Scotty's (exceptional) work cost $. I'm trying to keep it low budget. The idea is to have heat and a/c so a fixed roof is the plan.
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Cairo94507
post Jan 6 2016, 08:02 AM
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Ahhhh, AC. I would love to have AC in my car.
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rick 918-S
post Jan 6 2016, 08:08 AM
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No reason why you can't do it. Corvettes are bonded to a sheet metal sub structure. My flares are bonded on to my fenders and have been since 1992 with no issues. Watch a couple videos on bonding fibre glas to steel and go for it. Everyone always thinks my flares are steel. In the early years I didn't have the internet and wasn't aware you could get factory parts from the dealer. Up here no one was driving or working on Porsches. The only connection to the Porsche world was Excellence Magazine ads. Tweeks, Doc & Cy's, Brad Mayeur... Who else.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
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EdwardBlume
post Jan 6 2016, 08:24 AM
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QUOTE(rick 918-S @ Jan 6 2016, 06:08 AM) *

The only connection to the Porsche world was Excellence Magazine ads. Tweeks, Doc & Cy's, Brad Mayeur... Who else.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

The clinic down south?

I have an old PP catalog from the early 80's.. Thank God and Andy for the interweb!
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