chopped top

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Originally posted by calamecca:
Realizing that the pantera is unibody has anyone ever done a "targa" top and what kind of problems were encountered? Would a full tubular subframe with integrated roll bar resolve most of the problems or not? Any and all comments would be appreciated.

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I was kind of on the fence of doing a sunroof on mine, has anyone else seen or had this done? Any negative side effects?

Gary Hall has done both a full targa style & a sunroof mod. Extensive reinforcing is required when doing the targa mod. Pavesi did the modification for the few "factory" targa GT5S's out there, one sold last year in Florida for a pretty reasonable price. Contact Gary for all the details on what needs to be done, he's a great guy & always seems to find the time to talk Pantera's!

I installed a flip up and removable sunroof in my '74 Pantera with a tape measure, fine point magic marker, jigsaw, and a screwdriver (and, of course, the instructions). It took me about 2 hours. To do this modification I cut through ONLY SHEETMETAL, with no structure being touched. When removed, it is like literally removing the whole roof! Only the side bars remain. It made driving in my Pantera a whole totally new experience! IT'S AWESOME! It really opens the inside of the car up. It cost me less than $300 for the sunroof kit, the storage bag for the glass, and the mounting kit for an exact size sunshade. Definitely the best spent money on my Pantera so far.

To do a targa top would require extensive reinforcing of the chasis and windsheild frame area. The car would have to be almost totally disassembled and reworked at great cost of money and time. I'm no expert on the subject of targas, but inquired into it as you have before going with the aforementioned course of action.

Hope this helps, and lots of luck!

Michael

I am the person that bought the Targa top GT5-S in Florida last December. It was converted to a targa top by Pavesi for the factory. There is at least 14 pieces of 3/8"X 3" and 2 pieces 3/8" by 12" steel used to re-enforce the body. It took a lot of work to acomplish the job. The roof also has to be altered to fit back onto the car and fit tight. I got the car back from the paint shop July 5th and it will be back on the road in a couple days. If you would like more info, you can call me at (253) 862-2118 weekends.
Gary

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Originally posted by Cyboman:
I installed a flip up and removable sunroof in my '74 Pantera with a tape measure, fine point magic marker, jigsaw, and a screwdriver (and, of course, the instructions). It took me about 2 hours. To do this modification I cut through ONLY SHEETMETAL, with no structure being touched. When removed, it is like literally removing the whole roof! Only the side bars remain. It made driving in my Pantera a whole totally new experience! IT'S AWESOME! It really opens the inside of the car up. It cost me less than $300 for the sunroof kit, the storage bag for the glass, and the mounting kit for an exact size sunshade. Definitely the best spent money on my Pantera so far.

To do a targa top would require extensive reinforcing of the chasis and windsheild frame area. The car would have to be almost totally disassembled and reworked at great cost of money and time. I'm no expert on the subject of targas, but inquired into it as you have before going with the aforementioned course of action.

Hope this helps, and lots of luck!

Michael

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Thanks for the info. I am still on the fence on the issue. One thing I must say is I don't have the b@lls to take a jigsaw to my car! I am considering taking it to a professional and having them install one of those power sunroofs that slide open on the outside, like the new little sporty cars

With every conversion I've seen including one that DeTomaso did for his '75 show car, the headroom inside was significantly decreased. If you are over about 5'11", I suspect this isn't gonna work out. If you ever have aspirations of driving your Pantera fast or on rough (that is, real) roads, I suspect it isn't going to be to your liking as chassis shake will really screw up handling unless you add hundreds of pounds of bracing, as Pavesi did in Italy, or Hall did in So-Cal. Chopping holes in a monococque is forever, so think a long time before you pay "Sawzall-Joe" to ravish your classic coupe. Personally, if I needed to be roofless now 'n then, I'd buy a used Miata for those days; it'd be cheaper.

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Originally posted by jack deryke:
With every conversion I've seen including one that DeTomaso did for his '75 show car, the headroom inside was significantly decreased. If you are over about 5'11", I suspect this isn't gonna work out. If you ever have aspirations of driving your Pantera fast or on rough (that is, real) roads, I suspect it isn't going to be to your liking as chassis shake will really screw up handling unless you add hundreds of pounds of bracing, as Pavesi did in Italy, or Hall did in So-Cal. Chopping holes in a monococque is forever, so think a long time before you pay "Sawzall-Joe" to ravish your classic coupe. Personally, if I needed to be roofless now 'n then, I'd buy a used Miata for those days; it'd be cheaper.

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Good point

Not sure I would want to do a Targa conversion..best bet is to buy one that's already been converted by either Pavesi or Hall.

I think the sunroof option is the the best option for a car you currently own. It's affordable, no additional weight is added to the car, and sunroofs designs have really improved considerably over the years. I've seen some really NICE aftermarket installations!

Plus, it is NOT permanent! Years from now if you decide that the sun beaming down onto your cabin is not for you anymore...then that same cut-off piece can always be welded back on...no big deal. Except, you'd need a new headliner :-)

Bob Eaton

Thank you all for your comments, I'll keep you informed as to what will actually occur.

mario

BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001 I PURCHASED A '74 PANTERA #5723 FROM THE COLLECTION OF KEILL KUVALE (THE SAN FRANCISCO IMPORTER OF THE NEW MONGUSTA) IT CAME ALREADY WITH A TINTED SUN/MOON ROOF, REMOVABLE, FACTORY OR PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. IT IS (FROM THE OUTSIDE), PERFECTLY FLUSH AND LOOKS BEAUTIFUL. I DID NOT WANT IT AT FIRST, BUT AFTER GIVING IT A TRY, I REALLY LIKE HAVING IT. YES IT DOES OPEN UP THE INSIDE ESPECIALLY WHEN REMOVED (CLOSE ENOUGH TO A TARGA TOP FOR ME). THE ONLY ONE DRAWBACK, IS THE PERIMETER MOUNTING RING PROTRUDES DOWN INTO THE "HEADSPACE" 1.0 INCH. IF YOU LIKE SEEING THE MOON AND STARS WITH YOUR GIRL AT NIGHT, I SAY GO FOR IT!! BUT DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF! HAVE AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL ONLY, INSTALL IT! GOOD-LUCK, MARLIN. I WANTED TO ADD: IF YOU DO NOT REMOVE THE GLASS PANEL, BUT CHOOSE TO JUST LEAVE IT OPEN THE 2", THE EXTRA VENTALATION IS VERY VERY WELCOME, ESPECIALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AND AT SPEED ON THE FREEWAYS, IT IS QUIET WITH NO VIBRATION!!

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 08-11-2002).]

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Originally posted by MARLIN JACK:
BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001 I PURCHASED A '74 PANTERA #5723 FROM THE COLLECTION OF KEILL KUVALE (THE SAN FRANCISCO IMPORTER OF THE NEW MONGUSTA) IT CAME ALREADY WITH A TINTED SUN/MOON ROOF, REMOVABLE, FACTORY OR PROFESSIONALLY INSTALLED. IT IS (FROM THE OUTSIDE), PERFECTLY FLUSH AND LOOKS BEAUTIFUL. I DID NOT WANT IT AT FIRST, BUT AFTER GIVING IT A TRY, I REALLY LIKE HAVING IT. YES IT DOES OPEN UP THE INSIDE ESPECIALLY WHEN REMOVED (CLOSE ENOUGH TO A TARGA TOP FOR ME). THE ONLY ONE DRAWBACK, IS THE PERIMETER MOUNTING RING PROTRUDES DOWN INTO THE "HEADSPACE" 1.0 INCH. IF YOU LIKE SEEING THE MOON AND STARS WITH YOUR GIRL AT NIGHT, I SAY GO FOR IT!! BUT DO NOT DO IT YOURSELF! HAVE AN EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL ONLY, INSTALL IT! GOOD-LUCK, MARLIN. I WANTED TO ADD: IF YOU DO NOT REMOVE THE GLASS PANEL, BUT CHOOSE TO JUST LEAVE IT OPEN THE 2", THE EXTRA VENTALATION IS VERY VERY WELCOME, ESPECIALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. AND AT SPEED ON THE FREEWAYS, IT IS QUIET WITH NO VIBRATION!!

[This message has been edited by MARLIN JACK (edited 08-11-2002).]

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Marlin

Do you have any pictures of that sunroof?

HI MADGUY! SORRY I DON'T HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE SUNROOF RIGHT NOW, MARLIN.