Has anyone considered making a Targa top on a late A body? I think a duster or dart sport would look sweet. The biggest question for me would be how does it compromise safety? Most targa tops I see have a roll bar across the back seat, but with our A bodies I think it would need subframe connectors and maybe some re-enforcement in the A pillar area, because essentially your taking away a structural support point for the car. I think it would be a cool project to do for a show car, I may test the idea with my '74 since its still sitting in the yard, I really like customizing bodies of cars in my free time. Any input on the safety and looks of a targa top would be appreciated.



Thanks,
Seth

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Annabelle: 1970 Dodge Dart Hardtop
1991 Nissan 240sx (sileighty) Lots of mods
1974 Dodge Dart *Wrecked*

Put the body on a full frame, no real way to stiffen the uni-body.

Richard

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Even with Frame connectors, and if you gussetted the floor pans like the big block convertibles in the late 60's there is still some body flex and twist.

-D.Idiot

T-tops? Like the Volares and Aspens?

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

About the only change or addition to structure to A Body convertibles was addition of torque boxes. I added sub frame connectors to mine which stiffened things up a bit more, but the car still a shaking quivering mess compared to a modern car. The 300 feels like a block of granite after driving either of the old convertibles.

T Tops, Sun Roofs, and Targa tops are all lousy substitutions for a fully retractable rag top. Why make a hole for water and air to penetrate in a perfectly good steal roof? I ordered my 300 without a sun roof, the sales guy though I was nuts. I had considered sending the car to Florida to chop off its top, but picked up the Dart instead.

Structural rigidity of our A Bodies, and my topless K Car are on a pair with red gummy worms, but that sun on a warm day is worth it all. Shake your stuff baby.

Side note:
And, nothing says dork better than driving with top down, and side windows up… LOL

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67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

How about something like this?

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1964 Dart GT

How about making it into a ChumpCar?

Big race at PIR March 31-April 1

I'll be driving the number 19 (sorry everyone,not my choice of vehicle) '81 Thunderbeast.

C'mon out and give us a bad time... I mean a hand.

That would look really, really awful in my opinion.

That said, chop away! Ain't my car!

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Scott - waywardgarage.com
Why is the rum always gone?

Yeah, somewhat off topic, I was driving home one night and came up behind and beside a late model 300. He was stopped at a red light, and as I approached, I thought it had one of those dumb faux convertible top covers that were so popular a few years ago. But when I got closer, I noticed it only had 2 doors... It had some gaudy 22" chrome rims that were not my style, but otherwise the car looked completely stock, a VERY professional conversion. Color me impressed. First one I'd ever even heard of, much less seen.

Me, I'd rather have a 2-door Charger conversion.

Anyway, back to your regularly-scheduled topic...

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vm