Targa Top painted from factory?

Hi,
my car has a textured black Targa top.
I prefer the look of the painted ones but I'm not sure I want to modify mine.

A couple of questions:
- are painted top from factory were textured too and modified when the painted option was ordered by customer, or are they a different part with smooth finish from the start?

- are 348 and 355 share the exact same roof? I was told they're identical but some says they're not interchangeable.

Thank you.

PS: how much does cost a textured targa roof in average condition?

 

The painted ones from the factory are smooth. People who have them painted aftermarket have them sand and mudded before painting.

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Is the texture due to the coating (like a bed liner) or is it an overlay (vinyl, etc)?


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I bought (and fitted) a 355 roof to my 1990 348.

It did fit but I had to play around adjusting it plus trim a little bit of teh front rubber seal in order for it to fit properly. Even on 348s the shape of the door aperture seals changed on later models'

 

The texture is molded into the top and is not in the coating so the only way to paint it smooth body color is to sand off the texture.

 

Is the top fiberglass?

 

Yes, as far as I can tell.

 

Top is fibreglass and texture is in the mound used to make ot.. can be sanded smooth and painted. No need to fill

 

So, basicaly the fiberglass part is the same but the seals are differents?

 

Pretty much. I just trimmed the seals slightly and also swapped the rear locating pegs over as they are ever so slightly different too.

348 on the left, 355 on right

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Difference in pegs

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355 panel after fettling - actually fitted better than my original 348 panel

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My 348 has the same roof liner as that 355. Probably changed in mid 90.

 

Thank you!

I really want a painted top, but it might be a good idea to keep the original as it is.
Unfortunately I can't find a 355, only a 348, but if I can swap the parts around to fit as you did, that's OK.
Still, they're very pricey when you can find one...

 

I actually swapped that black 355 top for a foldable sunroof and now only use my original hardtop when I wash the car


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Roof liner is dependent on interior spec. There were two colours on both 348 and 355 and later on the 355 an option to have leather.

 

My 348 top has been redone in leather on the backside. It's been painted body color also.

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Your factory 348 targa top appears to be the earlier version, with the 308/328 GTS style leather pull straps.

They only lasted a short time, and were replaced with the metal latches seen on your 355 top.

 

Your right - mines a 1990 hence the straps. The 355 latches are much easier to use.

One other curiosity I noticed with the 355 top was that it had the serial no on a plate.


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I'm not sure when they switched from the leather straps to the metal latches, either date-wise or serial number -wise, but my 348 TS was also a 1990 car, and that had metal latches on the targa top.

For reference, the chassis number was # 86579 - First registered in the UK in September 1990

There was nothing in the records that came with the car, as I recall, to show the top had ever been replaced.

I'm not sure why they changed to the metal latches, as it was quite early in the 348 production life (possibly due to concerns of the leather breaking?).

At the end of the day - That's a fairly rare top you have there!

 

I've just put my black textured top into a bodyshop to get it colour - coded red to match the rest of the car so I will let you know how I get on - estimate for teh work is £300 UK pounds / $350

 

That's a good price.
I was quoted €500.

 

I did mine this year at the same time as having the front bumper done. Looks so much better in my opinion.

Having both items done cost £600.


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I'm looking for a black textured top for my 355. If you find a painted roof, let me know if you'd be interested in selling your textured black targa top. Thx!

 

What is the cost of a 355 or 348 top usualy?
I found only one for sale, but at €1500, I'll pass.

 

When painted, how can we say 1 is factory painted and another locally ?

 

Just as a bit of a follow up I got my previously black textured top back from the bodyshop and it is now colour coded


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I also stripped teh latches and repainted them to get rid of the stickyness.

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And then finally stripped the sackcloth panels and replaced them with leather(ette).

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