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I know the fabric top panel is nostalgic, but, seriously, it’s a solid, rigid structure covered in fabric. Why not make it a panel with a transparent insert like the glass roof option? Don’t say weight savings, because the Targa is the heaviest 911 variant, and the Targa is already adding 250 lbs. The whole point of the Targa is an open air experience with a coupe look/design. Why not make the panel more like a sunroof/moonroof? This is the reason I just save the money, and weight and get a coupe with the glass roof.
They used to do that. The 993 and the 997 had glass tops. Not sure why they abandoned it, but my guess is that weight of the glass top on the 991 and 992 was extreme given the larger size of the car. Otherwise I have no idea.
They used to do that. The 993 and the 997 had glass tops. Not sure why they abandoned it, but my guess is that weight of the glass top on the 991 and 992 was extreme given the larger size of the car. Otherwise I have no idea.
The 996 too. But that was a completely different mechanism. They were really just big sunroofs.
To the OP's question, the 991 and 992 Targas' mechanism is shared with the Cab, as is its magnesium top. That top is very thin; much thinner than a glass top, and I doubt very much that a glass top could be fitted and work with the same mechanics.
I know the fabric top panel is nostalgic, but, seriously, it’s a solid, rigid structure covered in fabric. Why not make it a panel with a transparent insert like the glass roof option? Don’t say weight savings, because the Targa is the heaviest 911 variant, and the Targa is already adding 250 lbs. The whole point of the Targa is an open air experience with a coupe look/design. Why not make the panel more like a sunroof/moonroof? This is the reason I just save the money, and weight and get a coupe with the glass roof.
I’ve wondered about this myself. I don’t really care about having a glass roof, but an option for a hard/painted roof would be nice. If I owned this car It would certainly be garaged and cared for, but I’d still be concerned about the aging characteristics of a fabric roof through long-term ownership.
I would have preferred a (matching) painted metal roof also - and when you see how the fabric is folded and pinched while retracted, I definitely wonder about long term wear and appearance.
Some might say the fabric roof is "heritage", I think it was a cost cutting measure sharing some parts with the cab.
It doesn't show from the outside but the targa panel actually folds slightly when stored in the back, not sure that would be possible with a solid glass/plastic panel.
It doesn't show from the outside but the targa panel actually folds slightly when stored in the back, not sure that would be possible with a solid glass/plastic panel.
Yes, there are actually two panels that make up the roof.
The 993 to 997 series cars were called Targas but were not true Targas. They were merely cars with very large sunroofs. You need to read or view the history of the Porsche Targa, and you'll see why they have and should always have fabric covered tops. My first 911 was a Targa, and it had a top that you needed to manually remove, fold and stow in the frunk. Long live the fabric Targa roof!
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Let’s Talk Targa For A Second
