DIY hardtop from a 996

[rusty69911]

Ok boys and girls, its been bandied around so I thought instead of clogging up someone else's thread I would start my own, so I got a cheap hardtop from a 996 just to try it for myself, the lines look nicer than the boxster roof but of course making it fit will be a challenge, for starters the 996 roof is too narrow at the front by nearly an inch in total,
the rear overhang can be dealt with but its a lot of work, first step is to widen the roof most likely through the factory joiner strip, time to fire up the plasma and the tig haha
if it looks junk it wont have cost me much

[j.fro]

Very interesting project. I wouldn't have thought the front would be that different. This could have a nice "chopped " look. What's your plan for dealing with the difference in the door window shapes?

[rfuerst911sc]

How many beers have you consumed today ? With enough time/effort anything can be done so good luck with the project .

[steved0x]

I had always heard that the 986 and the 996 were the same from the back of the fronts seats forward. Later I read an article in pano where it said the windshield on the 996 was different than the 986. I guess this hardtop proves they are different. So I guess except for the windshield, I bet they are still mostly the same

Good luck with your project!

Steve

[The Radium King]

*** perhaps *** you can get a windshield and frame off a 996 cab? they might even mount in the same place as a 986?

[rick3000]

Very interested to see how this goes, seems like a lot of work to make it fit properly

[BruceH]

The lines do look better. I have never been a fan of the 986 soft or hard top lines. The car looks much better top down, which is how I have it the majority of the time. Looks like a great project

[alm001]

I was skeptical when I read the title, but I really like that line.

Good luck!

[rusty69911]

lots of unanswered questions even for myself, the side windows I may use 996 and mount the rear side ones as fixed but thats a way off, rear will have to be lexan, this is going to be a track fun car if I ever finish it, I have just picked up an 02 audi v8 quattro so its motor swap time too haha but thats a story for another day...

[boxxster]

I think you'd have an easier time modifying the profile of a 986 hardtop to look like the 996 top than making the 996 top fit. Leave the window inset and just add some extra material on the sides so it slopes more gently to the back of the car like this. It won't look the same as the 996 top from the back but you could make it pretty similar looking from the side.

[rexcramer]

Seems like an awful lot of work. I have the OEM hard top. I have only used it a couple of times, when I knew the weather was going to be bad. I like it's lines better than the soft top. I have the top down most of the times.

[rusty69911]

except I cant buy a 986 hardtop for $150 haha
yeah things are a bit different over here in Australia,
we make do with what we have,
worse case I sell it for scrap alloy and get enough to buy a carton of beer haha
i was pretty lucky to get the boxster for as cheap as I did as they still pull twice the money they do in the US

[Blueberry]

Any updates on this project?

[rusty69911]

Originally Posted by Blueberry

Any updates on this project?

still plodding along but mainly with the v8 swap, will let y'all know when I start choppung the top up

[traveno]

Originally Posted by rusty69911

still plodding along but mainly with the v8 swap, will let y'all know when I start choppung the top up

You're alive! I see the project is still moving along. That's good news. Don't quit on us now. I'm curious to see what you can come up with.

[rusty69911]

Ive got the nose welded on and some final colour choice grey paint, its a bit rough but it will just be a track hack for hill climbs, new 20" staggered wheels on, not bad for $500 with almost new pirellis