Targa Top Storage Ideas

Some enterprising entrepreneur needs to come up with a folding targa top for the 3x8 series.

But it is a daunting challenge -- it needs to fold up small enough to fit in the boot, but be strong enough deployed to add the rigidity the regular targa provides. And it needs to keep out water. Not a trivial exercise.

I'm 6'4", and I have to settle for putting the 328's top behind the seats backwards, so the curved lip fits around the driver's seat. (But that pushes the passenger seat forward.)

 

Like this... very rigid, yet folds to about 6 inches wide and fits easily on the parcel shelf behind the seats.

Sadly, when we tried to remanufacture them, we kept hitting an estimated delivery price of $2500+ Sadly, the market won't bear that kind of pricing.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160535

 

Magnum used Robin Masters' 308, which is a slightly longer car (but lower and narrower). Not sure if that's part of the reason.

For storage in the garage, you might check out all the products available for removable hardtop storage. Mercedes SL's (prior generations), Porsche Boxster/911, BMW Z3/4 and probably many other cars had these optional hardtops and they all weigh a lot more. Whatever they use to mount these on the wall might work for you.

 

Congrats on the new car. Is that a Fiero next to it??? Verboten!!!!

 

The top is very light. It seems like you could get some L shaped sturdy brackets to hold book cases and drill a hole at the end large enough put the targa spikes through. If the holes are about 10-12" away from the wall, the top could just lean against the wall and it wouldn't topple over unless you had an earthquake. Your you could put a retaining lever at the top if you worried about that.

 

Hey! A Fiero-bodied Fiero is getting to be a rare thing, these days.

 

yeah, I noticed that too. as more get turned into kit car conversions, the "intact" fieros may become classics one day. wouldn't that be ironic?

 

Would a Carbrella top work? There are some for 911 and Corvettes $144 Google it. Might just need a small mod for a 348 or 308.

 

That will be $5 for the consultation help (see post # 8 above). Actually hold on, this is a *Ferrari* targa top, ah, that will be $5000 for the consultation fee

seriously, looks great!

 

That means you get to meet our delightful pap correct?

 

would love to come, but alas meeting pap is not in the cards since I'm 3000 miles away.

 

I simply stand the top on end (not on the pin end) in the garage until I return, then I re-install the top. It's the safest place to store it and keeps dust out of the car when not in use. It only takes a few seconds to put back on the car, so I see no point in storing it on a shelf or on hooks.
I rarely take it with me , since I only drive on nice days.

 

Sounds like you guys will have a good time! Enjoy!

 

Just to bring up an old topic...
If you want another option, Jeep owners with hard tops have devised a pulley system attached to garage ceilings. This way, pulling the top off is a one person job. I don't have pictures, but I'm sure you can find them online. I'm sure it could be adjusted to work with a targa top.