xpndbl3

iTrader: (5)

i think that's fiberglass in those pics

Jproz1167

iTrader: (3)

I remember the simon and simon car. And that doesn't look like it to me, I clearly remember it being a automatic car and behind the door glass it had some sort of black decorative molding and the car that top is sitting behind looks like a camaro and I know the simon and simon car was a red & silver Z-28.
As for the top I remember seeing one identical to it many many years ago in person on another Z-28 and it was a fold up type of a top made out of convertible type top material

Jessman

so any pics of the finished product? Those other targa top cars that were posted look neat, I'd like to see your finished product if its done.

87tpi350,6spd

iTrader: (12)

I saw a targa top car for sale on ebay and they said it was an option for a year or two not sure on the info but I think I remember it having a glass top and looked very similer to the "simon" car. Does anyone know of there being a targa top option for sure?

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Fur SURE, there was NEVER a factory Targa top 3rd gen.

CarterCarbureto

iTrader: (1)

factory...no, dealship option, yes

imjustsean

i no longer own my camaro but i did at one point have one and a 77 corvette and if i'm not mistaken the top locks on that targa were from a c3 corvette...so mabye look into that route. it shouldent be difficult to make a targa out of the old tees, i mean after all the corvette was supposed to have a targa but they diddnt think it would work (collapse) so they added the center bar... t top... targa top... so it was a factory idea, however canned from the beginning, you're only doing one car... not a million...

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Most targa conversions reuse the factory 3rd gen handles/latches

Its silly not to, they're already there and fit the body lines

TheRealBlkBird

What?? You're going to have to find some proof of that statement. A dealership option of a targa on a third gen.? I dont think so.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

It wouldn't surprise me if some stealerships did a local conversion, like to a local shop, but not as a factory authorized conversion.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Thats what you get for thinkin



There are more pics in the "Green fbodys" thread

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

A pic of a targa topped car doesn't make it NOT a home-made targa. Where's the paperwork showing it was sold, brand new, as a targa?

imjustsean

so... whats wrong with the center support anyway? t tops just look cool, targas look cool too but... well... nevermind if i was gunna have a topless i would go all out too... did the 3rd gens always have glass tops or were there fibreglass also, i cant recall ever seeing any painted tees before... and if there are fibreglass tops why couldent you just glass the 2 tees together and cut the center support

TheRealBlkBird

Wow, thanks Stephen. Exactly what I was going to say but its nice someone said it for me. Im sure I could dig up targa equipped cars too, the point is whether a dealer did it or not, which I still do not believe a dealer would go through that much work. Maybe an aftermarket conversion company, but a dealer? No way.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

It was sold on ebay a few years ago, had i known paperwork would have been so necessary i would have added into the pic collection

It was a Cali dealership and so far Ive seen 3 on ebay

Another tidbit, Tojans could be targas

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Were Tojans factory authorized new conversions (meaning, a stealership sold them from day 1 as brand new, 0 miles, full warranty) or aftermarket conversions?

I've heard the name before, but know nothing of them.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

Tojans. They were.... Well. Special. AFAIK, they were sold through the company that made them, and not dealers. They're basically a whole new everything for the body of a thirdgen. Tojans were the birds and GTA's, and they had a different name for the 'maros.

simo

This car was converted by Targa Top Inc. in Southern California and appeared in their magazine advertisements. They were available at my local dealer.

They did the Simon & Simon camaro.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Then, that supports my beliefs. Aftermarket, not stealership available, not factory authorized, not covered by GM warranty.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

That, and the company that made them released a whopping 300 over like, eight years. Not a lot of them out there.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Dunno what you mean by 'Simon & Simon camaro'. But, interesting that if they were available brand new from a stealership, fully covered by the GM warranty, none seem to have survived the years.

I find it hard to believe that a car could be cut up at/by one stealership and the GM warranty (mainly on the chassis) on that car would apply somewhere else, if the car "folded up" due the the roof being cut out.

LAFireboyd

iTrader: (3)

"Simon and Simon" was a TV series in the '80s... a detective show.

So having a targa conversion done, by either a dealer or a private owner, would've been similar to sending a car to C&C for a t-top conversion, or to a shop to be chopped into a 'vert. So if a dealer had it chopped, then I suppose it would have to offer a full warranty on the car. But if a private owner had it chopped, then what... the warranty was carried by the chop shop?

*Edit: So to try to cover the fine line were talking about here, it wasn't a dealer "option" because that would've meant it was something that was authorized by, and purchased from, GM through a dealer, and there was no such thing as this, AFAIK.* This was purely aftermarket that anyone, a dealer or a private owner, could have done. So dealer-chopped or owner-chopped, officially "authorized" and warranted by GM in anyway? I don't think so.

Regardless, though, it's a great look. But so are t-tops. And I'd think t-tops would have to be easier to handle.

mxcrazed

I would love to do this but I think that my car in particular would fold up I may consider it after i put in 1 or 2 pairs of SFC's I forget which ones but some will fit between the others I have it saved some where though

Head liner? I would get a hard top liner and cut it so that the edge would be uniform then put a trim piece along the edge

Weather striping Vert windshield striping then straighten out the t-top striping for the back side?
to bad our windows destroy the stripping where the t-top meets the A and B pillar it crushes it so that they don't mate well any more but I think I'll pump it full of silicone in the corners to fix that

3gCamaroFan

[quote=TPl383;3447702]This IS the Simon n Simon car. It was on Ebay 4sale YEARS ago....[quote]

Unless this was a later version of the car, I don't think this was the "official" car. I recently saw an episode on Sleuth (second season, episode with Dr. Joyce Brothers making a cameo at the end) that had the top on the car (it was raining). It was definitely a soft top.

Also, I owned an '83 conversion sold in dealers (bought new). It had a soft top. There were two rigid pieces of molded fiberglass in the front and back covered by a layer of standard convertible material on top and felt on the bottom. The pieces had four attach points (two in back, two in front). The nice part about it is it folded up and fit easily in the trunk or back seat. The windows rolled up between flaps on the sides.

If you watch the series you can see the front attach points. They are silver on the front windshield.

Any good convertible top shop should be able to make you one. I had to have mine replaced after I accidentally stepped on the front piece and had no problem finding someone to make a new one.

Loved that car, wish I hadn't gotten rear ended by a very large truck.

3gCamaroFan

I bought one from a dealer in Northern VA in 1983 (didn't realize there were only about 800 wish I still had it). It retained its full body warranty, at least according to the paperwork I had at the time (and yes I specifically asked), although I never had to test it. I put about 100K on it, and to me it drove as good as one with T-Tops. Didn't notice any particular difference in stiffness or handling.

That said, I suspect the body was weaker. The car was lost when it was rear-ended by a dump truck and pushed into a car in front of it. The frame bent (you guessed it) right along a line underneath the top. Car was totalled, but it was hit from behind at about 35MPH while sitting still.

HONDASLAYER

I jusy found this on a Yahoo Answers posting. ( note this is not me...)

I have a 1995 Camaro without T-Tops. I was wondering the estimate of converting the top into a targa top. Does anyone know what kind of price we are talking about? ($85/hour labor)

• 1 year ago

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by musiclic... Member since: July 01, 2006 Total points: 32776 (Level 7)

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I own a shop, and we do a lot of custom fabrication, and restoration work. Doing this is no different than doing a chop top on an old car. Leaks will be an issue if the top isn't done right. It takes about 3-4 days to do a top (if done right), so you can get an idea of the cost from this. The mating is done in the corner post areas, and not just anyone can do them right. A lot of trial & error is involved to get a near perfect fit, but yes it can be done, and yes it can be done leak free. If the shop doing this is not a fabrication shop, and doesn't have any of this type work under their belts, then it can turn out to be a mess. An experienced shop can do one of these in 3-4 days, but if they have never done one, it could turn into 7-8 days, and leak like a submarine with a screen door.
Glad to help out, good Luck!!!
Source(s):

Certified Master Mechanic, Shop Owner, 40 years experience.
Hot Rodding for years.

HONDASLAYER

Ok here is a link to a pic of a 1982 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car ( with optional targa top) http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...H5votAPIw5ToAQ

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Is that pic of the 82 pace car supposed to be a Targa? Thats a T-top car. Where are you seeing the "(with optional targa top)" part? I cant recall ever seeing a thirdgen pace car with a targa.

J.

HONDASLAYER

The ad said targa

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

From the angle of the pic, you can't really tell if that it a targa or T-top.

Maybe it was a T-top car converted for the Indy Pace laps?

Or just a dumb ad writer?

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

The "ad" being the link that you put up? No where does it say "targa". I even did a "find on page" for the word. Just says "1982 Chevrolet Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car wallpapers" under the pic. If Im missin it....let me know.

And just to be picky because Im bored this morning... You can clearly see the t-bar roof in that picture. If it wasn't there, you could see clean across the windshield line, and might even see the other latch on the b-pillar. You cant, because the t-bar is in the way. You can even see headliner



J.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

No.....You can't be 110% CERTAIN that what you circled, is T-top bar, or the back edge of a targa top.

While I DO AGREE that it is most likely the T-top bar, I still cannot say for CERTAIN either way.

Need a pic of a TRUE pace car, not one of the Pace Car replicas sold to the public, to KNOW.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Haha...unless there is some component to a targa top that Im not understanding, I can say with 200% certainty that that car has a t-bar roof. Just follow the b-pillar lines. That thing is dead center in the windshield, and appears to outline a t-top.

here...red lines equal the projected view with a targa top. You'd see a straight line across the back, and might even see the driverside targa latch hardware.



Like I said... Im bored haha.

Im not a thirdgen history buff....just playing devils advocate alittle I guess. But if you asked me if targas were available from factory...Ide have to say no.

J.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Gotcha! I was looking at the rear cross section & just seeing a line across, not noticing the angle of the B-pillar in relation to that roof line.

You are 200% correct...That's a T-top car, no doubt about that.. Sorry for the confusion (on my end!).

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

haha...no worries man. I spent a good 10 minutes on that site trying to find where it says targa top...but couldn't. So I was just confused.

I dont know if I would get rid of my t-tops for a targa... I sorta like the targa look, but I like my good old t-tops better.

J.

HONDASLAYER

ya sorry about the targa thing. i was really tired and got my nights browsing mixed up.

NatesZ/28

Didn't Choo Choo/Chattanooga Customs sell cloth targa conversions? Its been a LONG time; but a buddy of mine had an SS El Cartrucko that was a Choo Choo Customs rig. He bought it brand new from a chevy dealer. Apparently CCC bought base model cars, modified them and then offered them to dealers for resale. This same dealer had a TeamCamaro, the Elcamino SS, and I think a Bandit II along with another camaro that had a black cloth targa top, according to Brett. Id ask him, but he passed away about 5yrs ago. Im still looking for his SS ElCamino

Nate

BigKeg

I just want to put my 2 cents in. 87 was the first 3rd gen vert, and it was made from a T-top car. However at first, I dont know if thay did later. You could not get a 350 vert. becues of thr flex. I have a Iroc Z28 and the 8th number in the vin is a 8 ( witch means 350 ) My paint is cracking and chipping along the flex spots around and on top of the a & B. I have seen T-top cars with beefed up 350s crack the windshild in the lower mid of the glass. If it was me ( and it will soon ) I would put the frame connectors in first. If you have more than stock power from under the hood then I would allso do this.Get the brace that goes under the hood from tower to tower and bolts to the fire wall. Allso seen something neat on another thread where someone took a tierod bar from a eclips and put it in right behind the back seat. He said it fit just right but to put the seat back up, you had to push a littal harder.

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

sry didnt read entire thread but wouldnt it have been easyier to take the ttops while still on the car and make a fiberglass mold of both of them together and then take the glass out and use the end pieces to lock the targa top on and make a brace to connect the two together to make them one piece? instead of haveing to worry now about how ur weather striping is going to hold and what not?

DeathMetalTony

thats defenetly a t-top cause when i first bought my camaro when i had my 305 tbi 1991 rs he dealer said it was a trga top then i was like surprised so i checked the camaro they had and i told them its not called a targa top its a t-top, they were like ohh. 8 )

tony.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I've seen '85 verts (dealership conversions) and as far as factory cars, '87 for Camaro, '91 for Firebirds.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Thanks for correcting me & not reading further past that post & seeing that I had already acknowledged my misunderstanding of that pic. People really should READ FURTHER, before being so quick to post their correction of peoples mistakes.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...56-post84.html

BigKeg

There are all typs of differnt dealler & aftter market stuff out there. The duks of hazzerd show even had a 2nd gen vert on it. It was only on for one show and it was silver I think.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Like this? It was at a local car show a few years ago, when I took this pic.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

I remember that Dukes episode. It was a Silver Trans AM with white interior. It was the one with the motor home, and the two chicks that rode dirt bikes...

Matter of fact, here is a clip from that episode.

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=KYOZE956

On this page, there is quite a snipit of info under the video link....click more and give it a quick read.

http://www.megavideo.com/?c=search&cat=2&tag=80s

The car in that show was a 1979 American Clout convertible Trans Am according to them.



J.

DeathMetalTony

i do read the post i just wanted to put out there my experience that i had when i first got my RS camaro. I'm not trying to put you on blast dude common.

Tony.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

I can understand sharing, but by quoting a person from that thread, and your experience contradicts that person, it appears that you are correcting them.

You simply could have just posted & shared, without quoting anybody.

DeathMetalTony

Ooh ok, Stephen, as you could see im still learning about doing post and what not, thats why but hey appreciate you correcting me and all, and I apoligize for quoteing you.

Tony.

FYRCHKN

Once I'm finished with my heat extractor hood I will be doing the targa top mod on my car. It can be done using the original T-tops. I have already figured out how to do it and keep the tops in two pieces so they can still be stored easily....now I just have to find the time.

omnipotentgoku

iTrader: (1)

Wow that second gen vert is pretty.. i'd rock it...