Cutting the roof out of a Z06, my targa conversion project
12-26-2007, 11:41 PM
#81
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Mini-update for all those wondering... just lots of sanding and moving parts around. Moving things to my garage to make some space in Gary's shop in Suffolk, should be getting the parts I need to finish up the roof tomorrow or Friday, we'll see. Starting to take various parts over to Stock or Modified for final prep.
It will be nice when I can get the car done, get the Panoz BS done, and have both cars sitting in the garage covered w/o any more projects to do.... just driving and waxing (the vette).
It will be nice when I can get the car done, get the Panoz BS done, and have both cars sitting in the garage covered w/o any more projects to do.... just driving and waxing (the vette).
12-27-2007, 09:58 PM
#84
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dude what do you do for a living to be able to afford all of this! Badass setup goin on here!!!
what is all of this costing anyways???? GOOD LUCK and awesome!
what is all of this costing anyways???? GOOD LUCK and awesome!
12-28-2007, 12:34 AM
#85
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^ The Panoz was purchased by my father for us to play with (HPDE, Hill Climb, TT)... I just happen to have a car trailer and garage space so it resides at my house vs. his.
I've had the Z06 for almost five years... was car poor for a bit when I bought it at 22, but got through that by being smart w/ my money.
I'm not loaded by any means... all said and done I should have $3500ish into the paint job and targa conversion.
I've had the Z06 for almost five years... was car poor for a bit when I bought it at 22, but got through that by being smart w/ my money.
I'm not loaded by any means... all said and done I should have $3500ish into the paint job and targa conversion.
12-30-2007, 01:01 PM
#88
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Update: Been spending time doing more sanding and finishing the roof modificaiton. The roof is pretty much the most important part of the conversion. To make it all work you get the roof panel from a coupe, cut off the front edge, and graft it in to the remaining Z06 roof. Thanks so much to Gary for working his magic here. He's the only person in the country to have done this. The company who does the full conversion has a custom molded roof that you buy, transfer your glass, and bond to the car.
Nose off the car, grills and lights out, sanded:
Used the pieces of the roof we cut off to create backing strips, bonded them in with special 2-part SMC adhesive:
Glued in coupe front lip that we cut from the coupe roof panel:
Almost time for paint
Nose off the car, grills and lights out, sanded:
Used the pieces of the roof we cut off to create backing strips, bonded them in with special 2-part SMC adhesive:
Glued in coupe front lip that we cut from the coupe roof panel:
Almost time for paint
01-02-2008, 08:50 PM
#90
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Got the clear lexan targa panel in today I got it for $300 + shipping when they're $1600+ new from the dealer and $900+ for an aftermarket one or refurbished one. It has a few small cracks from heat expansion (previous owner had them sealed at a lexan sign shop), but other than that it was barely used and the frame/weather strips, latches look new. Even with the top in it makes the car feel very open, it's like a giant moon roof.
View from the inside:
I got it for $300 + shipping when they're $1600+ new from the dealer and $900+ for an aftermarket one or refurbished one. It has a few small cracks from heat expansion (previous owner had them sealed at a lexan sign shop), but other than that it was barely used and the frame/weather strips, latches look new. Even with the top in it makes the car feel very open, it's like a giant moon roof.View from the inside:
01-06-2008, 05:02 PM
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UPDATE: The car is moving along nicely... should go to Stock or Modified for paint next weekend.
Roof is all done... ready for primer. Coupe piece is bonded in using 2-part SMC adhesive and then the remaining area is beveled out and filled with SMC structural filler.
Recessed areas of the hood were sanded smooth then filled w/ glazing filler then sanded again and primed.... ready for more sanding. It will look so much better than how it came.
Gary fixed a crack in my door :beer:
Roof is all done... ready for primer. Coupe piece is bonded in using 2-part SMC adhesive and then the remaining area is beveled out and filled with SMC structural filler.
Recessed areas of the hood were sanded smooth then filled w/ glazing filler then sanded again and primed.... ready for more sanding. It will look so much better than how it came.
Gary fixed a crack in my door :beer:
01-06-2008, 10:08 PM
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I must say I was skeptical when I first saw this thread but man after reading through and seeing how you went about it, all I got to say is GOOD JOB MAN!!!!!!!!! I cant wait to see the finished product.
01-06-2008, 11:14 PM
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Thanks... could never have done it w/o Gary's knowledge of the body work and mods etc. He's the only person in the country to do this mod in this manner. Caravaggio Corvettes makes an entirely new roof.
I've learned a ton in the past few months and have done a ton of work, but he lead the charge on the roof work I just cut it off and got the thing ready for the custom work.
For reference here's gary show vette... it's a vert w/ a Z06 roof bonded to the tonneau cover w/ a targa conversion too
http://www.gbvette.com/
I've learned a ton in the past few months and have done a ton of work, but he lead the charge on the roof work I just cut it off and got the thing ready for the custom work.
For reference here's gary show vette... it's a vert w/ a Z06 roof bonded to the tonneau cover w/ a targa conversion too
http://www.gbvette.com/