Question: Quick Release / Install Targa Top

[JamesBaines]

Hi, our 1990 Targa Top can be a pig and a half to refit on those rare occasions that the UK weather tempts us to take the top off. On a good day, it takes about ten minutes to get the allan screws to line up and if it's peeing down as it often does here, it's not a pleasant experience. It has new seals to keep the water out so that might be part of the problem but I'm wondering if anyone has come up with a quick fastener solution such as a ramped cam clamping sort of fastener rather than the standard allan screws?. If so, I would love to get details on it, if there is not one currently available, I guess I'll have to design and make my own. Thanks in advance for any advice you may have to offer.

James

 

[Robertwav1]

Great idea! That would make things simpler. The top...did you realign it after the seal replacement. I bought a new one once for my car and it took a while to get the holes to match up. After that initial alignment it always pops right in. 2 to 3 minutes tops. Also, use a small battery powered torx driver to undo and redo the bolts. I do like your idea of the cam design though. No tools would be needed! If you do design something please post it here...I would be interested.

 

[JamesBaines]

Robertwav 1,

I have checked out the range of Zeus fasteners and the like and they are designed to clamp very precise metal to metal components separated only by a dichromate or other corrosion inhibiters and since they are precise in terms of the application, and given that they use very precise precise fixed ramp and clamp settings, the standard Zeus fasteners are not an option,
Given that each of the four corners of attachment will require a different load because of the differences in the roof seals etc, what we need in order to develop a quick “Twist and Turn” solution would be a ratchet type of a Zeus clamp fastener that would use a “Ratchet” slide rather than the fixed “Landing” that Zeus fasteners employ.
And I have yet to find one of those. If anyone out there knows of such an animal, I would love to hear from you because fixing and un-fixing a Targa Top in bad weather really is a pain in the butt. But that’s just my view…

James