Introducing the 'Oh Shit!" Bar

[ret]

So everyone with a Targa hates the shimmy, right? And various people have made braces to combat that. By now everyone's thinking weezlwings I'm sure. Well, as much as I'd love a weezlwing, they're not sold anymore. And if they were, they'd be more expensive than when they were first released I'm sure.

So using my structural engineering expertise, I designed a lovely little brace. A trip to Salem, $18.30, a burnout and 5 hours later, I present you with my version of a targa brace, affectionately dubbed the Oh Shit! Bar.

The Mounting brackets are made from 1/4" steel plate with the rightfully sized nuts and bolts. The Tubing is 1", 1/8" thick. The brace holds up surprisingly well, feels like the top never left. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if it stiffened the frame up a bit. Not bad for a couple of punk ass college kids. :biglaugh:

Not done yet though, still want to file down the welds, then paint it black. Probably just rattle can it until the powdercoating place opens back up in Salem.

 

[grimreaper]

nice, you know you cant flash this and not offer to make a few more right?

 

[Moy]

it may not be pretty but it does what it was designed to do. very nice!

 

[kotu100]

damn i didnt think it'd be that simple, im sooo making some this week.

 

[gaboonviper85]

your targa seals look like they are going to love this...

It would look somewhat decent had you used tubing.

 

[supradjza80]

i still don't understand why people like these braces. I would much rather have my top on for rigidity rather than look at the car with all the different braces I have seen made.

 

[grimreaper]

^ to keep the weird one arm tan at bay

 

[supradjza80]

^ to keep the weird one arm tan at bay

Thats a good reason :naughty:

 

[hvyman]

why by a targa if your not going to use it?

 

[ret]

nice, you know you cant flash this and not offer to make a few more right?

If there's any interest I may consider it, but as of right now I'm just gonna leave it with this one and move on to the next project.

it may not be pretty but it does what it was designed to do. very nice!

My car's not exactly one for pretty at the moment. If you look carefully in some of the pictures you see it's missing a few things.

your targa seals look like they are going to love this...

It would look somewhat decent had you used tubing.

The seals aren't in the best shape to begin with, but that aside it only contacts the seals in one place, and that's in the back. The pictures are a little deceiving, but the brace doesn't actually contact the front seals at all.

As far as tubing, it might've looked better, but I honestly don't think it would've given the same degree of support as it would've been more difficult to weld the cross section. It also would've been bulkier and as a result likely heavier. I don't mind the rigid look, plus I get the satisfaction of knowing I designed it myself.

i still don't understand why people like these braces. I would much rather have my top on for rigidity rather than look at the car with all the different braces I have seen made.

Then leave your top on and blast the AC. I for one prefer having the top off, and the brace allows me to keep the car feeling firm. It's a happy medium for me, likely has something to do with everyone else that likes them as well.