968gene

Please chime in with what you know about Saratoga Glass Tops for the 944/968 series coupes. I'm interested in the original costs, current availability, known problems, if there were any versions or changes over the years, an what colors they were offered ini (bronze etc.)

Thanks in advance.

944Fest (aka Dan P)

I guess the old website I had up with data on them got lost on an old server. I had two different ones, and this was what I learned while researching them:

Two colors were made, first grey framed in black, and later bronze with no frame. I have seen framed ones with lower serial numbers, so I guessed at the evolution. The frameless ones have holes thru them for the attachment software. Various complaints from water seeping in to squeaks and wind noise. Many compliments about a entirely new spacious feeling in the glass roof cabin. I drive with my grey one partly ajar, it is actually most quiet that way, in between squeaks and wind noise. I believe the item was advertised in a Porsche accesory brochure, and my original box has a large Porsche logo on it, so I count it as an accessory offered later. It wasn't a "factory option", and I don't know the cost.

Prices all over the place, recently most sell between $300 - $600 depending on condition, desperation or ignorance. We have had many many goofy threads about finding the original tooling, manufacturing new ones, curving safety glass, cheapo sales of non-power roofs, conversion of power roof to non-power roof panel writeups, etc. Search is your friend.

Nowadays as they age it seems the most recent discussion is how to find and install a replacement seal kit. There is supposedly a VW seal that is very close and adaptable. Many people will say they like their bronze one better, and other find more of a snug fit with the grey. Usually the choice comes down to what is available, but grey seems to work best in silver, black, blue and maybe white cars where the red cars seem to be a better fit for bronze.

One bronze one needing some repair recently sold for $350 on fleabay. We had a raffle at 944Fest 2005 where we gave one away. From the look of your car, I would have guessed you as the last guy to actually want one of those!

Did I cover everything?

968gene

Dan that seems to cover everything! Thanks. Sounds like you don"t think I can get this to fit my cab...

IGROWL

I have a bronze one I bought off ebay a couple of years ago.

Agree with Dan's comments above as it does whistle at high speeds so I keep mine open a half inch to stop that.

I only run it on the car in the summer and I put the original roof back on in the winter.

BTW love it.

choinga

yup - bronze one here too...whistle's like a steam train at highway speeds...I keep it cracked as well. I leave it on year round (live in Texas) - I like having it open even in the winter time.

SamGrant951

Grey/framed one here, doesnt whistle and only rattles over bad roads but my car has escort valving/400+springs. It does leak a bit in one spot when washing the car - prob could use a new seal.

roman944

I'd probably love one, but damn they are expensive!

do you guys know the weight comparison between the regular, glass, and fiberglass ones?

Richgreenster

Holly Crap Dan. Nice job! You really covered the Saratoga top.
Nice to have you on the forum.

KuHL 951

There was also a plexiglass manual version that Travis at RennBay owns. I have the framed gray glass model for manual sunroofs. It has a good seal, never leaked or whistled, but did rattle a bit on bumpy rods until I put some rubber pads under the front clips. It made my black 951 feel like a sun room and much more open. They do allow quite of bit of added heat gain in the Summer though unless your AC is working perfectly.

I'm selling mine in case anyone is looking for a manual one.

odurandina

this

KuHL 951

That?

ibkevin

Grey framed here, the whistle is due to the poorly designed rear latch points. Still -- a great upgrade that is one of the parts that holds it's value.

KuHL 951

Here's what I know for facts on how many different versions were made:
1. Early framed style with gray glass, threaded ***** at all 4 mounts, for manual operation only, does not tilt like 83 manual SR;

2. Early framed style in TUV stamped smoked plexi, threaded ***** at all 4 mounts, for manual operation only, does not tilt like 83 manual SR;

3. Unframed bronze glass for electric SR only, tilts like OE SR.


I have never seen a frameless Saratoga made for manual operation but that's not saying they were not made at some point. As far as I know the manual versions were either clamped shut or removed completely, nothing in between.

MacinTek

Bought mine new in the box at PartsHeaven about twelve years ago. Mine is one of the last models that doesn't have the hardware visible on the top side... much cleaner, if not, factory look.

When new, these shipped with two small white/translucent spacers that needed to be installed on each of the front mounting points to accurately secure the top at the correct height so as to avoid the whistling noise. The problem with those is that, over time, they, like the seals, they wear out and eventually break.

IGROWL

Any chance of getting a picture of your top and those spacers on it?

Thanks