Targa top mount swapping?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
Targa top mount swapping?
I have a late-'86 with both tops. I'm buying a '96 with only the clear top. I understand that my '86 solid top will not fit the '96 without changing mounts. Are the tops exactly the same except for those mounts? If so, are the mounts available from GM at a reasonable price? Or will I be hunting and paying through the nose for them???
Thanks,
Tom
Thanks,
Tom
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
The least expensive route is to buy the brackets, plastic header and bracket covers used from someone parting an older car. In fact, it might be the only route of acquiring the older brackets and pieces.
You can find them on Ebay, in the parts for sale section of this forum and elsewhere.
You can find them on Ebay, in the parts for sale section of this forum and elsewhere.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Top swap!
In your situation I believe I'd sell the early tops and try to purchase the correct top for your "new" '96. I would only guess that each of the two revisions were an improvement of some sort. Maybe someone who has experienced all three or two of the three might offer up some suggestions.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
Damn! All for naught now. Someone beat me to the punch on the '96 so I'm back to square-1. At least now I know that it IS possible to swap mounting brackets if this comes up again.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,401
Likes: 397
From: Lakeville MI
I converted my 88 over to the 89-96 style top, since I had purchased a newer painted top and my glass top was damaged. I had the new top painted to match the car for about $300.
There was a GM kit for this purpose available for $100 or so. I'm not aware of a similar kit to go in the other direction though.
I do still have the brackets and header trim from my 88 lying around in case I ever wanted to go back, but that's pretty unlikely.
Unfortunately, I'm not clear on what you're trying to accomplish with the three tops and 2 cars.
Do you want to put your 86 painted top also on the 96 car?
Are they the same color, or would you plan to have it painted, or are you going for the "police car" effect?
You could swap the brackets and trim car to car and also swap the tops, but I don't know what that would accomplish, unless your ditching the 86 and want both tops for the 96.
Hey, I'll trade ya my 88 brackets and trim for your 96 glass top if that helps. I've also got a couple of damaged 88 style glass tops that I could throw in to sweeten the deal.
There was a GM kit for this purpose available for $100 or so. I'm not aware of a similar kit to go in the other direction though.
I do still have the brackets and header trim from my 88 lying around in case I ever wanted to go back, but that's pretty unlikely.
Unfortunately, I'm not clear on what you're trying to accomplish with the three tops and 2 cars.
Do you want to put your 86 painted top also on the 96 car?
Are they the same color, or would you plan to have it painted, or are you going for the "police car" effect?
You could swap the brackets and trim car to car and also swap the tops, but I don't know what that would accomplish, unless your ditching the 86 and want both tops for the 96.
Hey, I'll trade ya my 88 brackets and trim for your 96 glass top if that helps. I've also got a couple of damaged 88 style glass tops that I could throw in to sweeten the deal.
