79 Firebird Hardtop to Targa top?

[pontiacpmpn]

Hey,
If anyone could help me out with this it would be greatly appreciated. I own a 1979 Firebird Esprit. I bought the car from a police auction when I was 17, it is in very solid shape despite the cosmetics. Anyway I have been searching for photos/information on converting its hardtop into a Targa Top with no luck for quite some time now. I have heard of it being done, and I am trying to figure out where, approximate cost, and pictures so I can decide if I would like to do it. Otherwise I will be converting it to T-tops. I would just buy a model with T-tops, but the car has certain sentimental value to me, I fell in love with it the second I saw it, and it was my first car. Also I bought it with the intention of it being a major project. For those of you that dont know what a Targa Top is (even though you probably wont be able to help me then...) Its where the roof section come completely off.. Its pretty common on corvettes, porshes, and lambo's...

[pontiacpmpn]

come on... someone has to know something!!! ahhhhg

[tomminajar]

Boy, I wish I could help you out, let me look I have some old lit from someplace but...

Thats quite an undertaking to do yourself ? I know they had targa/convertable kits for 82 had up but for the 2ond gen ??

They did have dealer installed 'hurst hatch' T-pops that leaked like a SOB.

You are going to HAVE to use subframe connectors with a Targa. I'll tell you that for sure - Even the Factory installed T-tops F-birds had ALOT of 'flex' in them .

Just(look right about the back of the door adjacent to the top of the window) usually big old crack in the metal .

Talk to a custom shop would be my guess- Let me look a bit.

[pontiacpmpn]

Originally Posted by tomminajar

Boy, I wish I could help you out, let me look I have some old lit from someplace but...

Thats quite an undertaking to do yourself ? I know they had targa/convertable kits for 82 had up but for the 2ond gen ??

They did have dealer installed 'hurst hatch' T-pops that leaked like a SOB.

You are going to HAVE to use subframe connectors with a Targa. I'll tell you that for sure - Even the Factory installed T-tops F-birds had ALOT of 'flex' in them .

Just(look right about the back of the door adjacent to the top of the window) usually big old crack in the metal .

Talk to a custom shop would be my guess- Let me look a bit.

Yea that seems to be the common response... I posted on carcraft.com and thats what someone there said too... i'll probably just have to go out to some shops and ask... And yes the 2nd gen definetly are not notorious for having a solid frame.. I was intending on beefin it up a lot more than just subframe connectors anyway... the last thing I want is for my baby to crack in half... I'd cry for a very long time. Anyway thanks for lookin for me, if you find anything let me know

[volkerc]

Targa roofs had been made for the second gen, but was pretty rare and uncommon. I own a 79 with factory Fisher t-tops. If I were you I'd stay away from any conversion to t-tops or targa roofs. The t-tops are all leaking. I had the car completely restored with new seals and everything. I paid extra to get the GM gaskets not aftermarket and the thing still leaks. It has become so bad that the roof has started to rust badly now and I can get the welder out and start restoration all over again.

[volkerc]

I believe the name of the roof, company was Car and concepts Skylite...

[Thumprkils]

hey check ebay the have targa stuff on auction.
havent seen what you are looking for, but they did have an 83 camaro targa deck lid once, but it was the high bid was $265 and it didnt meet the reserve,
go to ebay motors-parts n supplies-search (targa)
one of my eailer threads had a link to a fiberglass
parts dealer, its was about a rear hatch

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Thumprkils

hey check ebay the have targa stuff on auction.
havent seen what you are looking for, but they did have an 83 camaro targa deck lid once, but it was the high bid was $265 and it didnt meet the reserve,
go to ebay motors-parts n supplies-search (targa)
one of my eailer threads had a link to a fiberglass
parts dealer, its was about a rear hatch

oh good idea, a 3rd gen roof on a second gen roof, that'll fit...

[KaotiKCamaro5]

really, IMO it wouldnt be worth the trouble or the money it would cost. If you cant live without t-tops or targa, i would just get another car, maybe a decent daily with one of the above options.. and keep the firebird as a weekend kindof car, if it isnt already.

[pontiacpmpn]

Originally Posted by KaotiKCamaro5

really, IMO it wouldnt be worth the trouble or the money it would cost. If you cant live without t-tops or targa, i would just get another car, maybe a decent daily with one of the above options.. and keep the firebird as a weekend kindof car, if it isnt already.

Well its a summer/project car right now, but I dont want to get rid of it. (sentimental) There is a place near my house that does T-Tops so I'll probably just end up doing that, considering the only way it seems to get a targa top is to spend ungodly amounts of money... or do it myself and probably destroy my car.. (yes, i posted on carcraft's forums and someone suggested doing it myself...) Thanks for all the help though!

[Thumprkils]

how about a sunroof, they look just as good, and you dont have to put them in the trunk, actually you know I think they look better, than ttops
and by the way i searched ebay last night, and they didnt have what ya want

[Thumprkils]

volk and kaotik you have to watch alot but there s
alot of stuff to find on ebay,if ya ask maybe mommy and daddy will buy you something off there

[pontiacpmpn]

Nah, I dont like sunroof's much, at least not on firebirds... Looks fine on my saturn, but I've always wanted T-Tops on my firebird. The targa was a new idea, that im probably not gonna go with. Ebay is definetly a good place to shop for parts, Ive got a lot of great stuff off of there. Thanks for looking for me though...

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Thumprkils

volk and kaotik you have to watch alot but there s
alot of stuff to find on ebay,if ya ask maybe mommy and daddy will buy you something off there

Excuse me!?
First off who are you to come up with such a remark? I do not need mommy or daddy to buy me anything besides my dad is dead. I replied to a post that suggested to install a 3rd gen roof into a 2nd gen Bird, which will not fit. Nice manners and behaviour you got.

[KaotiKCamaro5]

and Thumpr.. you are now officially on my shit list. I'm with Volk on this one.. who are you to come off in that way to anyone on the forum? I was just offering my opinion on the matter. I just feel that it wouldnt really be worth it in my opinion, at the best it may work out, but if it doesnt, the top of his car is destroyed.. i wouldnt risk messing up the top of the car that i worked so hard to earn. My parents never gave me anything growing up, i was taught to have responsibility and to work hard for what i wanted. Thus owning my car. I spend 4 summers earning enough to buy my car at 16 and i wont have my hard work insulted by someone who has apparently had too many run ins with kids who were given things without effort..

i'm sorry if you've had unfortunate experiences if you have, but it isnt my fault that some people dont know how to work for things, and need their hand held through life.

*but dont be so quick to judge everyone.. i've seen it countless times. I respected you up until this point, but really see no reason to until you understand that not everyone in this world has everything handed to them. I am not trying to start a fight with you, but you have no reason to feel animosity towards me.. especially because i offered my opinion..

*and for the record, i have ordered countless items off of ebay, being as how i am far from rich and enjoy getting good deals as well.