The Smart Roadster targa top is one of the most distinctive features of the 452, giving owners the choice between a snug, weather-tight cabin and an open-air driving experience — all without the mechanical complexity of a traditional folding soft top. Understanding exactly how this roof system works, what can go wrong, and how to care for it properly is essential knowledge for any Roadster owner. Whether you have just taken delivery of your first 452 or you have been enjoying one for years, this guide covers the targa panel in comprehensive detail: its design logic, removal procedure, common faults, sealing tips and long-term storage advice.
What Is a Targa Top and How Does the Smart Roadster’s Differ?
A targa top is a removable roof panel that spans the passenger cell while leaving a fixed roll-over bar in place — a concept pioneered in the 1960s to give open-air motoring without fully sacrificing structural rigidity. The Smart Roadster’s interpretation is particularly elegant given the car’s compact dimensions. The single-piece polycarbonate or glass-reinforced panel sits between the windscreen header rail and the fixed B-pillar/roll hoop structure behind the seats, clipping into place with a pair of twist-lock latches at the front and rear sealing points.
Critically, the Smart Roadster targa top is not interchangeable across all body variants. The Roadster Coupé bodyshell uses a different rear structure to the open Roadster, and buyers should confirm compatibility before sourcing a replacement panel. The standard panel is body-coloured on the outside and features a headlining-finished interior surface, giving the cabin a finished look even when the roof is in place. A smoked or tinted aftermarket variant was also produced, popular among enthusiasts for its subtle aesthetic change.
Removing and Refitting the Targa Panel: Step-by-Step
Removing the Smart Roadster targa top is a one-person job that takes under two minutes once you are familiar with the process. The key is working methodically to avoid scratching the panel edges or the surrounding bodywork.
Removal Procedure
- Ensure the car is parked on level ground and the windows are fully lowered — this prevents the glass from fouling the panel as you lift it clear.
- Locate the two front twist-lock handles on the interior headlining, positioned just above the sun visors. Rotate each handle a quarter-turn anti-clockwise to release the forward latches.
- Move to the rear of the panel and press the two rear release tabs inward simultaneously while lifting the trailing edge gently upward.
- With both latches disengaged, tilt the panel forward slightly and lift it clear of the car in a single smooth motion.
- Place the panel face-down on a soft, clean surface — a dedicated carry bag or the original Smart storage pouch is ideal.
Refitting
Refitting is the reverse: locate the rear edge first into its rubber seal channel, press down firmly until the rear clips audibly engage, then push the front edge down and rotate the interior handles clockwise until they are fully locked. Always run your finger around the entire perimeter seal to confirm there are no gaps, particularly at the corners — this is where water ingress typically begins.
Common Targa Top Problems and How to Fix Them
The Smart Roadster targa top is mechanically simple, but that does not mean it is trouble-free. Over the years, a handful of recurring issues have become well-documented in the owner community.
Water Leaks
Leaking is the single most reported targa-related complaint. The culprit is almost always a perished or compressed perimeter seal. The neoprene rubber gasket that runs around the panel’s edge hardens with age and UV exposure, losing its ability to compress properly against the bodyshell. Replacement seals are available from specialist suppliers and are straightforward to fit with contact adhesive, though the join point at the corners requires careful mitring. Applying a thin film of silicone grease to the seal twice a year significantly extends its service life and improves the sealing force.
Latch Stiffness and Misalignment
The twist-lock handles can become stiff if the latch mechanism corrodes or the panel has slightly distorted after years of thermal cycling. A small amount of white lithium grease on the latch barrel resolves stiffness in most cases. If the rear clips no longer engage positively, check whether the rear receiver brackets have bent — a surprisingly common result of panels being removed carelessly or stored incorrectly.
Polycarbonate Crazing
Some targa panels used a polycarbonate construction with a protective UV-resistant coating. Once that coating begins to fail, the surface crazes and hazes, reducing visibility and looking unsightly. Light crazing can be polished back with a dedicated plastic polish; deep crazing requires panel replacement. Storing the panel away from direct sunlight when not in use delays the onset considerably.
Open Roadster vs Roadster Coupé: Targa Roof Context
It is worth understanding where the targa top fits within the broader Smart Roadster body architecture. The standard open Roadster — the subject of this guide — uses the targa panel as its primary weather protection, supplemented by a fabric soft top that folds back behind the seats. The Smart Roadster on Wikipedia outlines the distinction between the two body variants, though the detail on the roof mechanisms is limited. The Roadster Coupé, by contrast, has a more complete fixed rear structure with a larger glazed area, giving it coupe-style weather protection without relying on the soft top at all.
For the open Roadster owner, the targa panel and soft top work as a system: the targa provides a hard, quiet ceiling, while the soft top closes the rear of the cabin. Most owners find that removing the targa panel without also lowering the soft top results in an odd, semi-enclosed experience — the ideal combination is targa off, soft top folded, for true open-air motoring.
Storing the Targa Panel Safely
Given that the targa panel is a reasonably large, curved and scratch-prone component, storage deserves careful attention. Smart supplied a soft carry bag with new cars; if yours is missing, a padded roof-bag from a Porsche 911 Targa accessory supplier is a near-perfect fit and widely available second-hand. The panel should always be stored face-up or face-down on a padded surface — never balanced on its edge, as the latch hardware can dig into the paint over time.
Temperature extremes are the enemy of polycarbonate panels. Avoid storing the targa in a boot or garage area subject to freezing winters or high summer temperatures. If you are storing the car long-term, leave the targa fitted to prevent the perimeter seal from taking a permanent set in the compressed or relaxed position — either extreme can reduce its sealing effectiveness when next used. The Smart Car Forum community has several detailed threads on long-term storage practices worth reading alongside this guide.
While the targa top itself is a purely mechanical system with no electronic components, it is worth noting that other aspects of the Roadster’s cabin and body management are considerably more complex. If you are curious about the electronic architecture underpinning the car more broadly, our detailed look at how the Bosch MEG 1.1 ECU manages the Roadster’s engine systems provides useful background on just how sophisticated this small car’s engineering really is.
Aftermarket and Replacement Targa Panels
Finding a replacement Smart Roadster targa top has become more challenging as the years pass and the supply of new old-stock parts dwindles. The three main routes are: salvage yards and breakers (check for crazing and latch condition carefully before buying); specialist Smart Roadster parts suppliers in Germany and the UK, several of whom hold new-old-stock panels; and the second-hand market through owner clubs and forums. Prices for a clean, undamaged panel in original body colour typically run from £150 to £350 depending on condition and colour rarity. Brabus-spec cars in Tailor Made colours command a premium even for roof panels, as matching the exact shade is difficult.
A small number of coachbuilders and fibreglass specialists have produced solid GRP replacement panels for owners whose polycarbonate originals have deteriorated beyond saving. These tend to be heavier and require professional fitting to achieve a proper seal, but they are effectively immune to UV crazing and can be painted to any colour. The Smart Car of America forum archives contain owner build threads documenting custom panel fabrication in useful detail, though the focus is North American market cars.
For reference on targa roof design principles more broadly — including the structural role of the roll hoop that makes the targa concept work — the Wikipedia article on targa tops provides solid historical and technical context without brand bias.
Maintenance Schedule for the Smart Roadster Targa Top
A simple, consistent maintenance routine will keep the targa top functional and leak-free for the life of the car. Twice a year — ideally at the start of spring and at the end of the driving season — carry out the following:
- Inspect the perimeter seal for hardening, cracking or compression set. Press it with a fingertip; it should spring back readily.
- Clean the seal with a rubber-safe cleaner and apply silicone grease or a dedicated rubber conditioner.
- Lubricate the latch barrels with white lithium grease applied on a cotton bud — avoid over-application that could transfer to the headlining.
- Polish the exterior panel surface with a plastic-safe polish if polycarbonate, or a standard wax if GRP or painted metal.
- Check the rear receiver brackets for alignment and tightness — two M6 bolts per side, accessible from within the cabin with the panel removed.
The Smart Roadster targa top is a characterful, well-engineered roof solution that rewards attentive ownership. Keep the seals supple, the latches lubricated and the panel stored correctly, and it will remain leak-free and easy to operate for decades. If the original panel has deteriorated, the replacement market — while shrinking — still offers good options for patient buyers. Above all, embrace the system for what it is: a quick, lightweight way to transform one of the most enjoyable small sports cars ever built from a snug coupé into a true open-top roadster.
