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Targa top help

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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 05:41 PM
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Default Targa top help

It seems to me that a targa top from any year should be able to fit any other as long as the front mounting brackets are changed for the appropriate period. Targa tops interchange from 84 to E86, L86 thru 88, and 89 thru 96.

Has anyone put a different year targa on their vette and changed only the mounting brackets on the top itself? I ask since I'm still looking for a top and seem to find 89 and up targas. If I could buy one of those and simply (?) change the front mounts, that could end my search for a solid top.

I have an 87 right now with a clear top (that I will keep), but I really want to add a solid one.

Last edited by Randy T; Jan 28, 2008 at 07:38 PM. Reason: add
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 07:26 PM
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Never tried to use a different year targa so I can't help there, but there is a guy on the Forum selling a solid top for the year you want.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1920378

It might be easier to paint this one than monkey with an 85 or 86 top.

Just a thought.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 07:32 PM
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Sorry...... I misread your post I thought you wanted a 89 or up top. Please ignore previous reply. :o

Try this one instead:
http://www.tabercorvetteparts.com/ca..._targatop.html

Last edited by 70blueshark; Jan 28, 2008 at 07:45 PM. Reason: Fix a goof
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 07:55 PM
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Thompson looks like they might have the right solid top.

http://www.astrotops.com/fiberglass.html
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 09:26 PM
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Thanks for the tip, Blueshark. Astrotops is kinda pricey and does not seem to have the best reputation on the forum. But, I appreciate the lead.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 10:05 PM
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You can just buy the front mounts, covers, and upper trim piece, (that screw on to the windshield pillar) to convert any C4. I think my friend has (or can make up) a kit for you. Converting the top itself, while it can and has been done, usually ends badly and is alot more work.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 10:30 PM
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zr1fred is correct, but if you convert your car over to the newer mounts, your original top won't fit anymore, until you swap back.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 11:09 PM
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I made a 84-86E fit my 94 Coupe. from my experience they can all be made to work with each other with exception of making 86L-96 fit on a 84-86E car. What I did was I used white paint put it on the mounting plate and fastened it on the car then I rested the roof on the car so it would leave an Impression on the Targa top frame... This left me an idea of where I should drill for the mounting screws. After they were drilled and tapped I mounted the plates put it on the car and it actually fit better than the roof that came with it.





Custom headliner




detail of embossed logo

outside painted black right before the vinyl stripe was laid on it.


I dont have any updated pics of this project but it is fully completed and cleaned up inside and out and outfitted with new weather stripping.

here it is on the car

Last edited by Impala Balko; Jan 28, 2008 at 11:30 PM.
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Old Jan 28, 2008 | 11:45 PM
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I was wondering if this thread would bring you out!
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by zr1fred
I was wondering if this thread would bring you out!
I make an appearance every now and then... I was trying to find my old thread... but I had no luck... I explained it better step by step in my old thread.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 12:39 PM
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do not try and change the mounts on the top it self you need to change the brackets on the car to fit the top it will be much less of a headache to deal with I know from experience.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 02:11 PM
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THanks for the advice. I was seriously considering buying a targa top and altering the top itself. I don't want to alter the car since I want my original, blue glass top to still fit.

I'll wait til a correct year targa becomes available. I've seen a couple lately, but they're going for way too much money for the conditions I seen. Basically, I want to find one that was never used, still in perfect condition, and in medium blue at a garage sale for about 40 bucks. Or less. It could happen.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Randy T
THanks for the advice. I was seriously considering buying a targa top and altering the top itself. I don't want to alter the car since I want my original, blue glass top to still fit.

I'll wait til a correct year targa becomes available. I've seen a couple lately, but they're going for way too much money for the conditions I seen. Basically, I want to find one that was never used, still in perfect condition, and in medium blue at a garage sale for about 40 bucks. Or less. It could happen.
I bought the wrong year knowing it was the wrong year but I got the roof for like 150... The glass and the frame was perfect so I couldnt pass it up and I figured it could be modified... Which I was right and it actually fits better than my original blue tinted top... I too didnt want to modify the car because I wanted to have 2 roofs that I could use. If you can come across a good condition roof for cheap I would mod it to make it work otherwise just buy the right year.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 05:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Impala Balko
I was trying to find my old thread... but I had no luck... I explained it better step by step in my old thread.
>>>>Old Thread<<<<


I put a 91 solid top on my 86E by changing the mounting brackets on the top.
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Old Jan 29, 2008 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by RRT vette
>>>>Old Thread<<<<


I put a 91 solid top on my 86E by changing the mounting brackets on the top.
How did you do that.... After doing this conversion I was under the impression that they 86L-96 vette could accept any roof but an 84-86E couldnt accept a later model roof because the mounts are so different... Let me explain myself. The 86L-88 and the 89-96 style roofs utilize a screw on mount.... Which makes it easy to modify because all you have to do is mark and drill you holes and voila they are done... But the 84-86E roofs the mounts are inside the frame.
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