How interchangeable are the targa tops year to year?, A Garvey Challenge Topic |
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914/4: 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 914/6: 70 71 72
How interchangeable are the targa tops year to year?, A Garvey Challenge Topic |
ScooterD |
Oct 3 2007, 10:58 PM
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#1
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ScooterD Group: Members Posts: 80 Joined: 6-August 06 From: Los Altos, CA. Member No.: 6,589 Region Association: None |
I own a '73 and a '74, both with the original tops, but they are in no way interchangeable with one another. I thought this was kind of unusual only being 15 months apart in production dates. The '73 was made in 9/72 and the '74 was made in 12/73. Being very curious, I have two friends who have 914's, one a '73 and the other a '74. The one with the '73 is less than 100 serial numbers away from my car (probably made on the same day), his top will fit on my '73 but not on my '74. The friend with the '74, his top will fit on my '74 but not the '73. When the later top is fitted to the earlier car, there is a large (~6-8mm) gap on the drivers side directly above the sail panel. It appears that either the fiberglass top was adjusted the fit the sheetmetal for that particular production year car or visa versa.
One of Murphy's laws is: Interchangeable parts aren't! Does anybody else have any experience with top interchangeability or lack of? |
orange914 |
Jan 4 2008, 08:19 PM
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#2
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http://5starmediaworks.com/index.html Group: Members Posts: 3,371 Joined: 26-March 05 From: Ceres, California Member No.: 3,818 Region Association: Northern California |
i always thought they were all interchangable... we've had 2 drivers and 3 parts cars but all of which are 73 and down. it does seem to stand out to me that 73 seemed to be a changing point in alot of ways (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
mike |
jd74914 |
Jan 4 2008, 11:09 PM
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#3
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Its alive Group: Members Posts: 4,780 Joined: 16-February 04 From: CT Member No.: 1,659 Region Association: North East States |
I was pretty sure that they weren't the same, but both styles should fit your car. We have a bunch of tops and 3 cars (70,72,74) and the tops all interchange (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)
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pin31 |
Jan 5 2008, 05:31 PM
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#4
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Member Group: Members Posts: 398 Joined: 30-January 07 From: Newport, Rhode Island Member No.: 7,492 Region Association: North East States |
According to Dr. B. Johnson's book:
"A major change in the top was made mid-year 1973 at chassis number 473 292 6222. Alterations were made to the top, headliner, front mounting area and rear seal to reduce squeaking and increase sealing. The front top mount consisted of two toggle-type latches on the top, while the rear latch mechanisms were on the roll bar. These rear latches had black steel bases from 1970 through 1974 and black plastic bases in 1975 and 1976. The side and rear weatherstrips were mounted on the top with the front seal on the windshield frame. Side seals were changed only once, between the 1973 and 1974 model years. this consisted the addition of an extra lip for better sealing. The rear rear seal change was mentioned above. Both rear seal and side seals involved only minor revisions, and the later seals can be used on early cars." Hope this helps.... Tim |
kenschipper |
Jan 14 2008, 11:51 PM
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#5
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Member Group: Members Posts: 186 Joined: 5-May 04 From: San Juan Bautista, CA Member No.: 2,025 Region Association: Northern California |
Someone (don't remember who but McMark may) took a bunch of pictures of the variations in tops over the years at the WCR in Santa Rosa. Mine (70 914/6) was significantly different from later tops and we saw at least 4 distinct tops.
Ken Schipper |
McMark |
Jan 15 2008, 01:21 AM
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#6
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914 Freak! Group: Retired Admin Posts: 20,179 Joined: 13-March 03 From: Grand Rapids, MI Member No.: 419 Region Association: None |
It was Paul Sayegh (PRS914-6).
There are significant manufacturing differences between the early and late tops. As to fitment, the just is still out. Here's the thread which details all the differences. |
SirAndy |
Jan 16 2008, 01:16 PM
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#7
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Resident German Group: Admin Posts: 41,623 Joined: 21-January 03 From: Oakland, Kalifornia Member No.: 179 Region Association: Northern California |
i have a late top on my early ('70) car and i never got it to seal right. it fits, as in i can latch it down, but the seals just don't line up right with the door glas etc. ...
the two version are significantly different ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif) Andy |
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