L.A.X-RATED said:
Maybe "oldtinsmith"will chime in on this and tell us how he is gonna pull off a targa top on his el camino!!!
I haven't even thought about the "Targa top" in my trucklet since throwing out the idea. 2012 has not been a very good year in the oldtinman's land! ... CWPottenger points about "T-tops" being more convenient are good but IMO, people have a tendency to over engineer projects because of unknown results from lack of research. Over engineering is NOT a bad thing most of the time. In the "Targa project", I think the only negatives from over engineering would be the added weight and the extra time needed. ... I would guess that the greenhouse/cockpit of the El Camino(being shorter longitudinally then the coupe and the integrated bed wall) would be stronger then the coupe (as a unit). I will be removing the quarter window from my trucklet and extending the roof skin to tie the "B" and "C" posts together (I just like the look I had with my old 1969 El Camino!). Also, while I have the interior out, I plan to install a floor to roof/side to side, form fitted "loop" reinforcement behind the seats. Put a brace under the dash from "A" pillar base to "A" pillar base brace and forward to the cowl (to replace the reinforcements GM removed when they downsized!). Lastly, underhood F-41 bracing. ...The chassis mods will be, boxing the frame, installing my new class III hitch receiver (tying the rear frame rails together), use the "G-Force" transmission mount (I want the lateral reinforcement), and a stout jounce/GP brace (maybe the SC&C unit). I'm still researching the body mounts as to which material make-up to use at each mount location. ...Sorry for the long post! I felt it was needed to explain some of the things I'll be doing to help with a "Targa/T-top" install at a later date if I decide to go that way!
Doug