Lot of trouble but if bent what other choice would i have? Thoughts?
Targa question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City ut
Targa question
Has any ever experienced something like this:
When i bought my car i ran a car fax and it showed no accidents. It had a broken (cracked) targa but I didnt think much of it. I bought a new targa and it would not fit.
Since found out that old cracked targa only fit because someone had put older model brackets on it and forced it. I took it to a corvette specialist here and he is now telling me that diagnally i am off 3/4 on one side yet he see no sign of accident either?
They are considering taking out the windshield and pulling car back into shape but i am worried it will just gradually go back to where it was?
HELP!
When i bought my car i ran a car fax and it showed no accidents. It had a broken (cracked) targa but I didnt think much of it. I bought a new targa and it would not fit.
Since found out that old cracked targa only fit because someone had put older model brackets on it and forced it. I took it to a corvette specialist here and he is now telling me that diagnally i am off 3/4 on one side yet he see no sign of accident either?
They are considering taking out the windshield and pulling car back into shape but i am worried it will just gradually go back to where it was?
HELP!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix AZ
Wow, I mean WOW! I wonder if someone were to constantly drive without the targa roof on if the car could possibly warp itself a little bit enough to be off that much. As much flex as there is in the body while driving targa-less, ya have to wonder if long term exposure to such driving might possibly torque the supports just a little. Sounds nuts, but holy cow, stranger things can happen.
As you know by now, the early C4 targa's had different brackets for locking them in, are you 100% sure you are using the proper brackets and that they are adjusted well within the tolerence for best fit? Another abvious one, as you probably already know, the car has to be on the flattest surface you can find to make these measurements, it will flex enough to throw things off.
Keep us posted, sorry to hear of your dilemma.
DD
As you know by now, the early C4 targa's had different brackets for locking them in, are you 100% sure you are using the proper brackets and that they are adjusted well within the tolerence for best fit? Another abvious one, as you probably already know, the car has to be on the flattest surface you can find to make these measurements, it will flex enough to throw things off.
Keep us posted, sorry to hear of your dilemma.
DD
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
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From: Salt Lake City ut
That is what I said "wow!" along with a few choice swear words i wont list. I finally got my dream car and what a nightmare. If this truly can happen just by driving a lot without top i dont think i want another one. Debating tkaing it to the closest car lot and taking whatever they will give me and running!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
Have you tried to put the top on the car while the car is sitting completely level... another thing is you said you bought a new targa top right.... When I put new weather stripping on my fiberglass roof it took me over an hour to finally coax it in place... Because the weather stripping isnt quite settled into place where it should be it may make it harder to put a new roof in place.... You could also try adjusting the brackets too.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 507
Likes: 1
From: Phoenix AZ
OK,,,take a long deep breath, a cold sip of a beer, another sip of that beer and start from the beginning. It's probably relatively simple. I liked the advice about the weather stripping, AND, those clear targa tops, well, I have seen very few of those that didn't have a small crack in one or all of the corners. Go get a solid painted roof panel, they're 85 times more solid and rigid. Slowly work it into place, make the necessary adjustments with the bolt guides and the grommets (or whatever they're called) and try to work it in place. (LEVEL surface) Maybe you can find a Vette chum that would possibly allow you to experiment a little bit with his solid roof, carefully of course. Dont give up!!
DD
DD
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
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From: Salt Lake City ut
THis was a 5 to 6 inch crack right down the center and all body guys I have taken it to so far agree if we put new top on it wont last 6 months. Waiting for call this afternoon, they are measuring to see if actual car frame is bent.
Sorry, your right i need to breathe but finding it hard.
thanks for all your help, if the frame is not bent i like the idea of buying a sturdier colored top!
Sorry, your right i need to breathe but finding it hard.
thanks for all your help, if the frame is not bent i like the idea of buying a sturdier colored top!
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City ut
Ok good news! Frame guys said car is perfectly straight, so any thoughts on why the window pillars are not? Again they said if you measure the opening for the targa diagnally it is 3/4 difference. Enough to make putting a $1000 targa on really skary.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: White House Tennessee
He is the guy who wrote the FSM. Googel him. You can call him for a fee. He has web site.http://www.gordonkillebrew.com/
Last edited by GlassToys; Aug 10, 2007 at 04:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City ut
Oh that is kind of funny. No disrespect. Has anybody used his services? If corvette specialist here locally cant figure it out how will he over the phone? But I would be interested in buying your painted top 
Last edited by aquablue96; Aug 10, 2007 at 04:48 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 292
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From: Houston texas
He is the guy who wrote the FSM. Googel him. You can call him for a fee. He has web site.http://www.gordonkillebrew.com/
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
In 1990 I purchased the car you see in the avatar, in 1991 took it back to the dealer for service they called and advised me my car had been stolen from their lot. Eventually got it back with 12k-13k in damages. If I run a carfax on my car nothing will appear as carfax did not start until sometime in the mid-90's.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
