Griffith Targa - tricky to fit....or just me?
Discussion
I've had a Griff for about 6 months now and always find the front of the targa fiddly to fit. Is this normal or just me?
Firstly, when you initially fit the roof, it doesn't go in very far until you lock the struts in place.
Then, sometimes the front rubber distorts in one corner when you lock the struts and I have to start again.
And finally, sometimes the side window gabs are slightly out and I have to unlock the structs and give the roof a little shove one way or the other. Otherwise, one window catches on the rubber and the other has a small gap (which whistles nicely in the wind).
I've assumed so far that this is normal TVR but is it?
Firstly, when you initially fit the roof, it doesn't go in very far until you lock the struts in place.
Then, sometimes the front rubber distorts in one corner when you lock the struts and I have to start again.
And finally, sometimes the side window gabs are slightly out and I have to unlock the structs and give the roof a little shove one way or the other. Otherwise, one window catches on the rubber and the other has a small gap (which whistles nicely in the wind).
I've assumed so far that this is normal TVR but is it?
Yep. Though it varies with different cars.
I have a white mark on both the inside seal and the edge of the targa panel, which I painted with tipex when I was happy I'd got it set perfectly one day.
To put the panel in I put the leading edge in, tip up the back edge to more than 45deg to get the front lip into the seal correctly (which feels very odd), line up the two white marks you will now be able to see, and drop the leading edge in. Lower the rear edge down whilst applying forward pressure.
Lift and attach the rear folding section and clip the alloy struts shut. Being careful of your fingers!
If the roof hasn't seated very well at the leading edge, gently apply downward pressure and the gap should close up.
I have a white mark on both the inside seal and the edge of the targa panel, which I painted with tipex when I was happy I'd got it set perfectly one day.
To put the panel in I put the leading edge in, tip up the back edge to more than 45deg to get the front lip into the seal correctly (which feels very odd), line up the two white marks you will now be able to see, and drop the leading edge in. Lower the rear edge down whilst applying forward pressure.
Lift and attach the rear folding section and clip the alloy struts shut. Being careful of your fingers!
If the roof hasn't seated very well at the leading edge, gently apply downward pressure and the gap should close up.
I agree that it can be a pain to line up but I find that if I put the roof panel into the front channel at an angle, like Ian, I can line the panel up with the cut out and the peg and then push forward and down to make the seal at the front. I've got used to knowing where the edge of the panel should be and I open both doors while putting the panel on. If you've put the panel in correctly it will support itself while you sit in the car and close the struts, the struts on mine are tight enough to push the panel tight and create a decent water and wind tight seal. Leaving the doors open until it's locked into place helps make sure all the seals are in the correct place.
V8 GRF said:
I agree that it can be a pain to line up but I find that if I put the roof panel into the front channel at an angle, like Ian, I can line the panel up with the cut out and the peg and then push forward and down to make the seal at the front. I've got used to knowing where the edge of the panel should be and I open both doors while putting the panel on. If you've put the panel in correctly it will support itself while you sit in the car and close the struts, the struts on mine are tight enough to push the panel tight and create a decent water and wind tight seal. Leaving the doors open until it's locked into place helps make sure all the seals are in the correct place.
I do something similar but I put the windows up to rest the roof on until the targa is in. I then open each door and put the strut up. The 45 degree part is the important bit IMO 
To be honest I've never had a problem. I've noticed that it can be offset to one or other side by a few mm's but not much and usually it goes in right first time. As for not slotting in at the front, I'd rather it was tight. I usually pop up the struts and give it a thump with my hand which causes it to go into place.
well said sir 
Maybe im approaching it differently/wrong,but ive not had any issue,or preffered method to refit the panel like some of you have.... i just locate the front peg,let the panel sit there by itself,raise the rear section to locate the seal and pop each side strut closed..... obviously as these cars are,shall we say indevidual,then there might well be variations on how each one goes about it i guess.
rigga said:
Maybe im approaching it differently/wrong,but ive not had any issue,or preffered method to refit the panel like some of you have.... i just locate the front peg,let the panel sit there by itself,raise the rear section to locate the seal and pop each side strut closed..... obviously as these cars are,shall we say indevidual,then there might well be variations on how each one goes about it i guess.
No, don't undersell yourself, you're just obviously more intelligent than the typical griff owner! 
RichB said:
To be honest I've never had a problem. I've noticed that it can be offset to one or other side by a few mm's but not much and usually it goes in right first time. As for not slotting in at the front, I'd rather it was tight. I usually pop up the struts and give it a thump with my hand which causes it to go into place.
rigga said:
Maybe im approaching it differently/wrong,but ive not had any issue,or preffered method to refit the panel like some of you have.... i just locate the front peg,let the panel sit there by itself,raise the rear section to locate the seal and pop each side strut closed..... obviously as these cars are,shall we say indevidual,then there might well be variations on how each one goes about it i guess.
I'm with you two. Maybe it's as said above and some are easier than others but for me it's never been an issue.LordGrover said:
RichB said:
To be honest I've never had a problem. I've noticed that it can be offset to one or other side by a few mm's but not much and usually it goes in right first time. As for not slotting in at the front, I'd rather it was tight. I usually pop up the struts and give it a thump with my hand which causes it to go into place.
rigga said:
Maybe im approaching it differently/wrong,but ive not had any issue,or preffered method to refit the panel like some of you have.... i just locate the front peg,let the panel sit there by itself,raise the rear section to locate the seal and pop each side strut closed..... obviously as these cars are,shall we say indevidual,then there might well be variations on how each one goes about it i guess.
I'm with you two. Maybe it's as said above and some are easier than others but for me it's never been an issue.
Englishman said:
LordGrover said:
RichB said:
To be honest I've never had a problem. I've noticed that it can be offset to one or other side by a few mm's but not much and usually it goes in right first time. As for not slotting in at the front, I'd rather it was tight. I usually pop up the struts and give it a thump with my hand which causes it to go into place.
rigga said:
Maybe im approaching it differently/wrong,but ive not had any issue,or preffered method to refit the panel like some of you have.... i just locate the front peg,let the panel sit there by itself,raise the rear section to locate the seal and pop each side strut closed..... obviously as these cars are,shall we say indevidual,then there might well be variations on how each one goes about it i guess.
I'm with you two. Maybe it's as said above and some are easier than others but for me it's never been an issue.
Englishman said:
LordGrover said:
RichB said:
To be honest I've never had a problem. I've noticed that it can be offset to one or other side by a few mm's but not much and usually it goes in right first time. As for not slotting in at the front, I'd rather it was tight. I usually pop up the struts and give it a thump with my hand which causes it to go into place.
rigga said:
Maybe im approaching it differently/wrong,but ive not had any issue,or preffered method to refit the panel like some of you have.... i just locate the front peg,let the panel sit there by itself,raise the rear section to locate the seal and pop each side strut closed..... obviously as these cars are,shall we say indevidual,then there might well be variations on how each one goes about it i guess.
I'm with you two. Maybe it's as said above and some are easier than others but for me it's never been an issue.Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff