Permanent Targa??

Permanent Targa??

Author
Discussion

hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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As I prefer the look of the Griff with the back window in place, and it doesn't alter the convertible experience, for me, anyway, I have been working on a permanent targa rear, bonded in place, A la Tuscan...

Thoughts, Criticism, Loathing, and General Opinions please.!!


Paul

GriffLee

52 posts

91 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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Would definitely love to see this! How far are you with the design and prototype?

GlynMo

1,140 posts

248 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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I'd go the opposite way if I could be guaranteed never to have to drive in the rain i.e. take the rear hood off completely.

Nhoj66

35 posts

141 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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I do like the Targa look on Tuscans, but not convinced on the Griff, although if it's a purpose built one it might look better. I also find the air turbulence is worse on mine with just the pram lid up. If it was a permanent fixture, would you still be able to fit the roof in?

hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
I've started with an MX5 hardtop, off my MX5.!! It is surprisingly close, and I've been cutting, trimming, shaping...The guys in the workshop are now convinced! I've stopped short of cutting the car, until I am 99% sure that it will work...The profile is somewhat different, with the MX5 being slightly curved, and the Griff being flatter on the top...

I will post some photos after the holidays!

PS A glass heated rear window, being the goal...I have to think about some form of venting, to aid airflow...

Nhoj66

35 posts

141 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
It'll definitely be good to see a few photos when you're up to that stage. A curvier roof line might look better as I've never been that keen on the flat roof and angular back section. There's someone making a coupe Griffith which I've been following on Facebook which looks interesting.

andy43

9,552 posts

253 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Could look ok. I like the idea of a fastback targa type thing too, proper Gt6/Cobra swoop-backed thing?
I wouldn't modify the Griff body though - if you're going to cut anything about maybe test the theory on a Chimaera first wink

hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Nhoj66 said:
It'll definitely be good to see a few photos when you're up to that stage. A curvier roof line might look better as I've never been that keen on the flat roof and angular back section. There's someone making a coupe Griffith which I've been following on Facebook which looks interesting.
Where is the Griffith Coupe on Facebook? Link??

Cheers!

Barreti

6,680 posts

236 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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I think the Griff with the back up looks pants at the best of times, so I stand in the
Loathe corner now but open to be proved wrong.

hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
andy43 said:
Could look ok. I like the idea of a fastback targa type thing too, proper Gt6/Cobra swoop-backed thing?
I wouldn't modify the Griff body though - if you're going to cut anything about maybe test the theory on a Chimaera first wink
I did consider starting with the Cobra Coupe roof...

Nhoj66

35 posts

141 months

Sunday 28th August 2016
quotequote all
hillclimbmanic said:
Nhoj66 said:
It'll definitely be good to see a few photos when you're up to that stage. A curvier roof line might look better as I've never been that keen on the flat roof and angular back section. There's someone making a coupe Griffith which I've been following on Facebook which looks interesting.
Where is the Griffith Coupe on Facebook? Link??

Cheers!
https://www.facebook.com/1992GriffithCoupe/

V8 GRF

7,294 posts

209 months

Monday 29th August 2016
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Steve Edwards has already created and sells a fibreglass rear hood section, it's intended for a Chimaera but fits the Griffith.

http://steve-edwards.com/tvr-grp-projects/chimaera...

I have to agree a Griffith with the rear hood section alone looks awful, apart from that I've always maintained it acts as a wind scoop. To illustrate that point I got caught with the roof down in a torrential cloud burst yesterday on my way back from Millbrook and the passenger pulled up the rear section to see if that would improve things and in fact we got wetter!

So that that proves my theory that the rear section on it's own messes up the airflow even more and create more turbulence in the cockpit when it's raised on its own. So that's two reasons not to have it fitted permanently in my book.

You'd also have to alter the Targa panel or get a Surrey hood as you wouldn't be able to fit the solid panel if the rear section was permanently attached.

hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Saturday 3rd September 2016
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Panic over.!! I'm keeping the soft top. Being a Bi-Polar Manic Depressive, I tend to have episodes of fantasy; luckily, the rational returns, if I stop and think about things.!!

It did look really good, though...
No harm done - Except to a £350 Mazda roof!

Murph7355

37,651 posts

255 months

Saturday 10th September 2016
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Nhoj66 said:
Rear 3/4 view looks a bit clumsy to my eyes. May look better when painted and with glass in.

The Griffith was meant as a soft top and should stay that way - it's a fantastic looking car and any clumsiness with the roof spoils it.


lancepar

1,011 posts

171 months

Monday 12th September 2016
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Have you seen the Quantum H4?
Targa roof with drop down heated rear screen.
May need a lot of modifications and may not be feasible..but......
Just a thought.idea

cool


hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Thursday 15th December 2016
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I'm now working on a heated rear glass window, that will unzip, for folding down.

MX5 and Saab windows at the ready...

RichB

51,435 posts

283 months

Thursday 15th December 2016
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Nhoj66 said:
... I also find the air turbulence is worse on mine with just the pram lid up.
Yep, tried it once or twice but frankly it's more cosy with the roof down and the heater on. Tara up just causes dreadful wind turbulence.

HKGriff

157 posts

112 months

Friday 16th December 2016
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Clive Reed (of Zertec) had fabricated a heated glass window in the pram lid, and the window was 3/4 zipped so could be opened.

hillclimbmanic

Original Poster:

610 posts

143 months

Friday 16th December 2016
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My upholstery guy is on the job... idea

QBee

20,906 posts

143 months

Friday 16th December 2016
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I have gone for Steve Edwards' version.
The targa panel is as standard, just lighter.
The rear section is held in place by 4 clips. It unclips and, at least on the Griff Touring (aka Chimaera) the entire rear section goes in the boot, leaving a nice clean line to the bodywork. The targa panel then goes on top of it in the boot (blanket in between).
Rear window is nice and large and clear perspex.
Can be fabric covered, like the standard roof, or painted to match your car.