Targa Removal ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
From: Illinois/Ca
Targa Removal ?
After having my coupe for over a year I guess it's finally time to take the top off 
Yeah I know how to unlatch it and one hand on the bottom/one on the top - after that though do you lift the top up and towards the front of the car or up and towards the back or ?
Yeah I know how to unlatch it and one hand on the bottom/one on the top - after that though do you lift the top up and towards the front of the car or up and towards the back or ?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
Likes: 1,038
From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Here's what I do:
Undo all 3 latches.
Lower the windows.
Open the driver's side door.
With your right hand, grasp the front portion of the top.
With your left hand, reach over the front of the top as far as possible.
Lift slightly with the right hand.
When your left hand can slip under the top, grasp firmly at the same time you slide your right to the back of the top.
Slide the top forward until the pins clear the pillars.
There you go.
Undo all 3 latches.
Lower the windows.
Open the driver's side door.
With your right hand, grasp the front portion of the top.
With your left hand, reach over the front of the top as far as possible.
Lift slightly with the right hand.
When your left hand can slip under the top, grasp firmly at the same time you slide your right to the back of the top.
Slide the top forward until the pins clear the pillars.
There you go.
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Once I lift the top up and forward a bit to clear the mounting points, I just back away from the car with the top.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I always push up on the front of the top from the inside, once I get it fully unlatched. This gives me the clearance to grab it from the front once I get out. I pull it forward a little, grab the back of it, and lift toward me for the walk to the back of the car.
Caution: Keep a set of detailing cloths or a good set of gloves with you for those hot days!
Caution: Keep a set of detailing cloths or a good set of gloves with you for those hot days!
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 408
Likes: 4
From: Quad Cities IL/IA
Originally Posted by wit2pz
I always push up on the front of the top from the inside, once I get it fully unlatched. This gives me the clearance to grab it from the front once I get out. I pull it forward a little, grab the back of it, and lift toward me for the walk to the back of the car.
Caution: Keep a set of detailing cloths or a good set of gloves with you for those hot days!
Caution: Keep a set of detailing cloths or a good set of gloves with you for those hot days!
This is how I do it also. One thing I would add though is to put your left foot in the drivers foot well. This gets you closer so you can reach farther across the hatch for leverage and saves your shins too.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,549
Likes: 0
From: MDT
Originally Posted by rwsr50
You have to lift the front edge first then once it clears, start moving the top forward. The rear edge has two pins that project straight back into the "B" pillar.
agree. this is easiest done w/ the sun visors down & both doors open or windows down. as another member noted, when you put it back on, umm, remember to latch it x3 or you & a club called "frc" will get cozy.
bub
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: Dardenne Prairie MO
After I lift the front and get a grip on that, I slide the driver side forward so that the pin is still in place on the passenger side. Gives some support while I grip the rear for the final lift.
If the weather around here didn't change so quickly, I might leave it off permanently.
If the weather around here didn't change so quickly, I might leave it off permanently.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
From: TN
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by JCFILM
After having my coupe for over a year I guess it's finally time to take the top off
Yeah I know how to unlatch it and one hand on the bottom/one on the top - after that though do you lift the top up and towards the front of the car or up and towards the back or ?
Yeah I know how to unlatch it and one hand on the bottom/one on the top - after that though do you lift the top up and towards the front of the car or up and towards the back or ?
The first day I bought her I took her top off( the vette's top you pervs
).....ahhh life is good then
. Take the advice of the above responses(Especially the part about latching it on, don't ask me how I know). One thing not mentioned is when you open your hatch(this really should be the first step), place a towel or "vette-bib" on the deck so you don't put scratches on her from your clothes or belts. Now get r' Done and enjoy that vette!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,049
Likes: 0
From: The second childhood is the best one of all.
All of the above is good stuff. I have done it myself, many times. However, I prefer to have help. I don't want to risk scratching the car. I have both tops and have never put the painted one on the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: Columbia MO
Originally Posted by Red Racer
Here's what I do:
Undo all 3 latches.
Lower the windows.
Open the driver's side door.
With your right hand, grasp the front portion of the top.
With your left hand, reach over the front of the top as far as possible.
Lift slightly with the right hand.
When your left hand can slip under the top, grasp firmly at the same time you slide your right to the back of the top.
Slide the top forward until the pins clear the pillars.
There you go.
Undo all 3 latches.
Lower the windows.
Open the driver's side door.
With your right hand, grasp the front portion of the top.
With your left hand, reach over the front of the top as far as possible.
Lift slightly with the right hand.
When your left hand can slip under the top, grasp firmly at the same time you slide your right to the back of the top.
Slide the top forward until the pins clear the pillars.
There you go.
