I dont know about that...lol wait till ya see what I got, this thing is friggin stout!


ok first picture...but its too soft to take down and put on the car yet so use your imagination hehe

http://home.comcast.net/~kthaney/files/Targabrace1.jpg

looks nice, But it doesnt look like very stiff, How thick is that tubing? the ends are good but i dunno about that square

More pics:








http://home.comcast.net/~kthaney/files/targa2.jpg


http://home.comcast.net/~kthaney/files/targa3.jpg


http://home.comcast.net/~kthaney/files/targa4.jpg


The Tubing is 1'' and the plates are 1/4'' Trust me, its stiff!


But I also want to say that this is my prototype. I actually do have some changes that Im gonna make. Its hard when you draw a template and discuss something verbally with a fabricator, and not be there when he makes it. On the next generation the backs of the tubes will come all the way to the rear mounts and the tabs will drop down off the bars. Then the back plate will be gussetted to the backs of those bars. Also were gonna laser cut the Mk3 "supra" logo into the center of the front plate.

If anyone else has any suggestions for changes please feel free to speak up.

Well, it looks pretty good! Have you driven it yet and can you tell the difference between the targa top and your brace? I mean does it seem to stop the flexing?

Russ

I cant tell the difference between having the top in or the brace in...meaning it got rid of all my shimmy problems, at least at freeway speeds. I have a favorite road up into the coast range just west of my house. I plan to take it up that full tilt tomorrow and report my findings.

Great! Let us know how it turns out. I bet other targa owners would like to ride with the top off and not feel all the flexing, I know I would, especially on these rare days here in the south when it is perfect weather to drop the top.

Russ

I retract my statement
 

I will admit, that looks so much better than what I originaly thought. How much for one of those? I could see me putting that on my car, if I painted it black or something.

Suggestion
 

Alright, well I have been thinking, and here is a change that I would also incorperate into your next wave of prototypes.

At the front of the brace, where it is mounted onto the front "bolts". I would suggest that the bars also stretch out to cover those bolt holes. Then the top of the tube would be great, shiny, and normal...but if need be there can be a small hole drilled from the bottom of the brace, to allow the "bolts" to go through. That way...lets say....you do a psycho neutral drop, or go flying around a corner (Well very unlikely around corners or neutral drops....). However if in an accident, the spot where that brace unloads all its forces....could tear that tube right off the front plate.

If it were to be my way, you would get maximum strength, and support. So if you change the back, and do the front...you could greatly increase is rigicity.

There is one thing that I want to ask you. Does that brace fit into the targa top holder? It's kinda pointless to have that if when you don't need it (And lets say if it rains) you need a spot to put it, and to be able to use the Targa Top as well.

yes it fits into the spot where the top stores.

Bends aren't very strong, though. an x-brace would be ideal for this application.
it looks alright though. it just looks too decorative to be that functional.

by no means am i bashing though. I am very jealous, as I can't fabricate, and that looks very well made. If it works, more power to ya.
Good job :bigthumb: