TARGA TOP RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE

You don’t want a Cabriolet, but you also don’t want a Coupe. That’s where Porsche’s Targa slots in perfectly. The Targa top is constructed from a foldable metal frame while the material is a thick layer of vinyl. Regular maintenance can include treating the vinyl with silicone as it fights the sun and water (should you choose to drive it in those conditions), while minor lubrication of the joints will also help to keep it in perfect working order. Don’t forget that if you’ve loaded your front trunk full of luggage, the Targa top can also easily slip in behind the two front seats.

Tim Abbott of Porsche Master Craftsman, who restored this car two years ago and has worked on several Targas over the years, had the following to say regarding the Targa top: “To restore or rebuild a Targa top, you must use the original material – thankfully it’s available. You can buy it already made up to the correct size, or you can buy the material and then your trimmer can cut it to size.

“The secret with these tops is to not necessarily fit new rubbers. The old rubber would have formed over the years for the specific Targa top and would have already compressed in the right places. Also, all these tops leak – you’ll never find one that doesn’t leak. If you fit new rubbers, it’s likely that it will leak even more. That is because some of the windows might not line up, etc. It’s often quite a juggle between old and new rubbers.

“Only use a minor amount of clear, silicone lubricant for the joints as you want to keep the top clean and not dirty your hands or the car when removing or installing the top. It actually shouldn’t need lubricant as they have nylon sleeves in them.”