Hey guys, I emailed www.newportconvertible.com about doing a targa conversion on my 350Z... well they gave me a brief response for the price. it's $4500.... I know that sounds kinda high, but it would be so sweet. I've emailed them back about some extra details. I'll post any further info when i get it.

 

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

I'd be the test pig if I had 4500 to spare.

 

good luck, let us know how it works.

it actually sounds cheap, Ive heard 8grand or there about.

do they offer any gaurentee as to leaks, and frame strength? Id be worried the car would start to flex and squeek.

 

i wonder if they would do a group buy? i'll ask that next i think

 

I'd rather spend that money on a turbo or supercharger setup.

I would be worried about structural integrity like Ares mentioned.

But hey, its your money. You will be the first to do it though.

 

Their version of the Z convertible is nice, better than the one out now.

 

Well, since I'm not a die hard racer I'm gonna do it.

 

well hopefully they'll be able to answer all my questions about stability and durability... but everyone is talking about how it will weaken the car and all, but what about the factory roadster? I mean there's not a roof at all... how does it stay structurally sound? what kind of extra bracing does nissan use? It can't be that much, you can't even see it. These people work on $100-200k cars, I think they would be able to handle a 350Z.

 

Nissan reinforced the section between the seats and the trunk to increase the structural integrity and keep the car from flexing. Go look at a convertible and you will see what I'm talking about. It was designed to not have a roof.

 

Structural reinforcements were made, however, to combat the loss of rigidity you normally see when you take the top off of a vehicle. These enhancements include a center floor V-shaped cross bar connecting the side sills and a front A-shaped cross bar reinforcing the front end. Additionally, the doors openings were reinforced, along with a "triple member" added to the seating area connecting the sides to the floor structure to beef up rigidity.
http://www.freshalloy.com/site/cars/...ter/home.shtml

 

seems like they do good work

 

Daaayymn Butterfly 20! I like that pic in your sig!

 

that is a pic of herself...

 

Merci beaucoup! That means "thanks a lot!"

 

Z = sportscar

convertible = cruiser

I never really understood how cars like the F360 convertible were ever made, but to each his (or her) own.

Personally, I wouldnt chop the top.. too much of a structural loss and safety risk. Unless of course, you plan on adding a cage to compensate.

 

Actually, Nissan did a LOT of things to keep the roadster rigid. The reinforcements are under the floor, behind the seats, and even in the door openings. I think the windshield frame is even strengthened so it can support the car in a roll over (by law?).

(from autoweb: To maintain sure-footed handling and enhanced body rigidity, the 350Z roadster has additional structural reinforcements including a centre floor V-shaped cross bar connecting the side sills and a front A-shaped cross bar reinforcing the front end. Additional reinforcement was added at the door openings and a triple member was added to the seating area connecting the sides to the floor structure. )

The fact that you can't see the additional supports just means they did a good job.

If you cut the roof so the front and back are no longer connected you REALLY need to reinforce the body somehow. Nissan made the Z as light as they could, so there is not a lot much "excess reinforcement" waiting to be tapped. Also, the windshield frame when disconnected from the rest of the roof might not hold up the car in a flip.

As for the newport convertibles, I think many of them are aesthetically flawed. The Z they did looks like a*s with the top down compaired to the factory job with the hard tonneau cover. The newport does look better top-up though.

The PT Cruiser Newport did looks pretty bad top up or down in my opinion.

On a different thought..... why does newport do cars that will be released as factory rag tops shortly after they do the custom? The 350Z and the PT Cruiser are two examples. Why bother with a custom rag top on those when the factory is doing it?

Now, if they did a hard top retractable THAT would be interesting.

I would ask newport:
what they will do to reinforce the windshield frame
what they will do to reinforce the body
What sort of guarantee against flexing/leaking/creaking they will give.
Will you be able to store the top in the back of the car when it is off?

Also, you might want to ask about air flow, if the targa top is in the wrong place or the wrong size/shape the wind buffeting could be intense in the cockpit. Do they do air flow testing and adjustments after the surgery? (since you will be first)

(One thing alll reviewers said about the roadster is that the air flow with the top down is well managed)

If it was me I wouldn't want to be the first, but if you decide to go for it I wish you good luck. (and post pictures!)

 

Originally posted by Butterfly20
[B]Merci beaucoup! That means "thanks a lot!":icon19
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I said it before and I'll say it again> I gotta move out to California!

 

I would really like to see the Z in targa. I mean if you put in a half roll cage it should keep the structural rigidity (is that spelled right?).

 

Most of the pics on that site are photoshops!

 

if you want a convertible, you'd be better off selling your car and then buying a new convert z, but as it is, you'll lose the frame strength, as mentioned before, personally, I like hard tops better then convertibles as it is, the money would be better spent on procharger or tt