What if Sheaffer re-introduced the Targa

[Charles Skinner]

I really like my 1983 steel Targa. It has always been my "workhorse." C. S.

[Univer]

Hi All,

 

I recently had the chance to chat with a semi-official source about the prospect of the Targa's return. The conversation wasn't "confidential" per se, but since I haven't asked for permission to share the substance of it, I'll pass the following along as unsubstantiated rumor, and without attribution. If anyone out there has more authoritative information, I'd love to hear it.

 

Apparently there are some issues complicating the revival of the Targa. Specifically: introduction of steel-nibbed pens seems unlikely, since it is feared that the use of the existing tools to manufacture steel nibs would quickly wear them out (personal observation: this inclines me to think that Bic is ruling out fabrication of new tools as old ones wear out - which doesn't augur well for the long-term lifespan of any new Targa). On the other hand, the exclusive use of gold nibs would dictate a price point to which there has been some resistance among the trade - particularly in the countries (the U.S. is not among them) that comprise the largest Sheaffer markets. It sounds like a gold-nibbed Targa II might not fit comfortably into the all-important marketing "slots" into which products must be sorted.

 

In light of the foregoing, there has apparently been some discussion of making any new Targa a "magnum" version - a bit longer than the original. The idea seems to be that a bigger pen might be seen as justifying the price at which it would have to be sold. But my source didn't sound confident that this alternative would win over the trade.

 

Finally, my source seemed to rule out the notion of a resin-bodied Targa - not as a design choice, but as a matter of cost. Apparently a resin barrel would be significantly more expensive than a metal one.

 

Anyway: there it is, for what it's worth. Not the best possible news for Targa fans...but do regard it, at this point, as rumor.

 

Cheers,

 

Jon

 

[linkage]

Fellow collectors,

 

I've been discussing with Sheaffer's USA distributor about a reintroduction of the Targa as a regular production pen line (not as a one-off special edition). The Targa is one of Sheaffer's iconic pens, having a nearly quarter century run, and was offered in more finishes than many other pens ever made.

 

Sheaffer is very seriously considering re-introducing the Targa and would like input from pen collectors as well as those not familiar with this pen.

 

Sheaffer Targa in sterling silver

 

Please consider the following as possibilities:

 

1. The Targa is reintroduced as the same pen - no changes in size, nib unit, materials or style. Classic and new finishes are part of the line. It's essentially a reissued classic.

 

2. The Targa is updated - same size, nib unit, materials and style but some updating changes made, so the pen is clearly the same pen, with possibly an updated cap top or clip, for example.

 

3. The Targa is rethought - visually the same concept, but the pen could be longer, wider, made of resin, etc. Think Parker 100 to the Parker 51.

 

Second, where would you position the new Targa?

 

1. Wide range, priced from low cost steel nib pens in the top of the Prelude price range through super high end solid gold pens (essentially as before).

 

2. Between the Prelude and Legacy in price ($100-$300 price range).

 

3. Super premium, in terms of finish and availability ($300-$1000 and up).

 

Your comments are really going to be brought back to Sheaffer, so please consider this as an opportunity to give feedback on bringing back one of the prized pens of the last 30 years.

 

Thanks!

 

Cheers,

 

Jim Mamoulides

www.PenHero.com

 

[frans-utrecht]

DRP and Bill Sexauer combined provide the basis for the answer I would like to give: (variations in girth, nib-material, and finishes not only acceptable, but desirable, cap and barrel matching)

 

Certainly a reissue of the Targa('s) would be welcome. As to size, I think that a size comparable with the Connaisseur would be a welcome addition, though the regular size suits me fine. Pens tend to have gained in size in the last decade so I guess there is demand for a somewhat bigger pen, although I think it would be wise not to increase the weight n accordance with the size.

One of my daily writers is a regular sized sterling Targa.

 

I am all for a wide range reintroduction and an added bigger size would also constitue a basis for LE Targa's. Why not?

A bigger size would also provide room for some form of ink-sucking filling system other than the converter that holds hardly any ink. This would probably increase the price considerably, but in combination with a limited edition this would not constitute to great a problem.

 

Main concern for any reintroduction: build quality!

 

 

[rmitnick]

I have a bunch of Targa sets, several sterling silver 1004 slim, several 1006 full size, 1005 slim and full size, an a "black lacque" full size. These are among my Parkers, Lamy's, Cross, etc.

 

First, they just plain work. The B.P. is no better thana any other b.P., but I mostly use roller ball.

 

The thing that I like best, after the fact that they work, is that so many barrels and caps are interchangeable. I can switch out the black caps and put on the gold for a different look. I bought a 1006 B.P. with a gold clip and stuck it on a 1006 pencil to use with my similar roller ball.

 

It's just so nice.

 

Parker never seemed to do this, except that I just got a Parker 95 B.P. and pencil set in gold plate, and the caps do fit the set in black for the kind of dressy look.

 

>>RSM

[bushellk]

This is my first post at The Fountain Pen Network. My visit has been prompted by my losing the Sheaffer Targa I've had for over 20 years. I took it to a local store here to be serviced and they sent it to Sheaffer. I said that the pen had sentimental value (it was given to me by my wife when we were first courting, wrote my first manuscript with it) but instead of just changing the barrel they changed the whole pen! They sent back a "new" Targa, but the later version. Yeuk! One of the things I loved about that pen was the weight. It was really heavy in the hand. This one they are offering me is noticeably lighter, and I don't like the new styling, not to mention issue of sentimental value. We're talking about the 1003 in Matte Black finish and gold nib. It seems that the later version might even be a completely different alloy.

 

Needless to say, I love the original Targa and would love it if they brought it back. I've written with a Touchdown and a Diplomat and neither feel as nice in the hand.

 

I'm glad a found this place. I'm a real lover of fountain pens.

[ANM]

Can you get your original pen back? If so send it off to an independent pen doctor to be repaired.

[FPUZR]

This is my first post at The Fountain Pen Network. My visit has been prompted by my losing the Sheaffer Targa I've had for over 20 years. I took it to a local store here to be serviced and they sent it to Sheaffer. I said that the pen had sentimental value (it was given to me by my wife when we were first courting, wrote my first manuscript with it) but instead of just changing the barrel they changed the whole pen! They sent back a "new" Targa, but the later version. Yeuk! One of the things I loved about that pen was the weight. It was really heavy in the hand. This one they are offering me is noticeably lighter, and I don't like the new styling, not to mention issue of sentimental value. We're talking about the 1003 in Matte Black finish and gold nib. It seems that the later version might even be a completely different alloy.

 

Needless to say, I love the original Targa and would love it if they brought it back. I've written with a Touchdown and a Diplomat and neither feel as nice in the hand.

 

I'm glad a found this place. I'm a real lover of fountain pens.

 

Please let me know if it was sent to Hampton-Haddon for repair. We took over the repair service for Sheaffer in March. PM me with your real name

and the approximate date the pen was sent in and what work you requested. I'll look for your original, we keep all of the parts after a repair for

situations like this. We can return your original to you, you'll just need to cover the shipping/handling. There should be no weight difference, there

was no change in the allloy that Sheaffer used (brass). The finish on your original pen cannot be restored so you received a replacement part.

 

Hope this helps!

 

David MacDougall

Edited April 28, 2008 by FPUZR

[david i]

This is my first post at The Fountain Pen Network. My visit has been prompted by my losing the Sheaffer Targa I've had for over 20 years. I took it to a local store here to be serviced and they sent it to Sheaffer. I said that the pen had sentimental value (it was given to me by my wife when we were first courting, wrote my first manuscript with it) but instead of just changing the barrel they changed the whole pen! They sent back a "new" Targa, but the later version. Yeuk! One of the things I loved about that pen was the weight. It was really heavy in the hand. This one they are offering me is noticeably lighter, and I don't like the new styling, not to mention issue of sentimental value. We're talking about the 1003 in Matte Black finish and gold nib. It seems that the later version might even be a completely different alloy.

 

Needless to say, I love the original Targa and would love it if they brought it back. I've written with a Touchdown and a Diplomat and neither feel as nice in the hand.

 

I'm glad a found this place. I'm a real lover of fountain pens.

 

i mite have a matte black lying about somewhere.

 

d

 

 

[George Drummond]

I'm not too hot on the Targa. I much prefer the Connaisseur and wish they brought that one back as a Sheaffer equivalent to the Parker Duofold. I dream on.

[bushellk]

This is my first post at The Fountain Pen Network. My visit has been prompted by my losing the Sheaffer Targa I've had for over 20 years. I took it to a local store here to be serviced and they sent it to Sheaffer. I said that the pen had sentimental value (it was given to me by my wife when we were first courting, wrote my first manuscript with it) but instead of just changing the barrel they changed the whole pen! They sent back a "new" Targa, but the later version. Yeuk! One of the things I loved about that pen was the weight. It was really heavy in the hand. This one they are offering me is noticeably lighter, and I don't like the new styling, not to mention issue of sentimental value. We're talking about the 1003 in Matte Black finish and gold nib. It seems that the later version might even be a completely different alloy.

 

Needless to say, I love the original Targa and would love it if they brought it back. I've written with a Touchdown and a Diplomat and neither feel as nice in the hand.

 

I'm glad a found this place. I'm a real lover of fountain pens.

 

i mite have a matte black lying about somewhere.

 

d

 

 

Wow! I am impressed with the help offered here. I know I've found the right place!

 

I spoke with the store manager yesterday, and he only confirmed what I was indirectly told on Saturday—that the pen is gone. David, I just sent you a PM with the details. It's a strange world we live in when people in a "virtual space" are more caring and helpful than people in front of me who are in a service industry.

 

So where we left it was that the manager, or store technician, is looking for a replacement first generation pen from Sheaffer. If they could find that, I would feel better, but not completely okay. I'd rather have the original back. If they can't find one, I don't know where we go from there. I think I would always have a bad feeling when I pick up that later edition replacement, so that won't work. I will definitely be looking for a pre-owned first generation replacement and will "re-gift it" with my wife.

 

But I'm still holding out hope that David can work some magic!

 

I'll keep you all posted.

 

Kevin

[Bobby Check]

Yes Bring it back.

 

The Targa, the Parker Late Doufold and the Parker 51 are some of the greatest writing pens in history.

 

The Targar deserves a come back. I bought 2 back in the Eighties and used them daily. I have several in my collection today.

 

The Sheaffer inlaid nib is a classic and paired with the Targa design, quality and style, the Targa was a writer's pen and a constant joy.

 

Update it, but keep it light and keep it balanced, so that it remains a great writer. The brushed stainless steel Targa was great in that regard.

 

For price have a wide range of prices, but don't compromise the writing experience.

 

Thanks,

 

Bobby Check

[bushellk]

:clap1: Hi everyone:

 

Just a quick update to say that I heard from the pen store on Friday that Sheaffer had found an exact match of my original pen, the first generation Targa 1003. While it's not the original pen that was lost, I guess this is the best resolution and I appreciate Sheaffer's efforts in locating a replica. My wife is going to regift it when it arrives and we'll pretend the whole thing never happened.

 

In the meantime, this incident has led me to discovering FPN and this entire online world of fountain pens! :clap1:

[gingersnap]

I am in love with the Targa! I discovered it only a few days ago on eBay and I'm waiting impatiently for an auction to end on an orange swirl set..the suspense is killing me! I have been searching the internet for more of the swirl and filigree finishes, but this pen is so hard to find! I would be thrilled if Sheaffer started producing it again, in the whole range of colours and patterns that were available in the past.

 

This is one of the loveliest pens I've seen, and from what I've read I'm sure it will be a pleasure to write with. I also agree that the cap should match the barrel.. I've never liked contrasting caps on any pen.

 

Looking forward to starting a collection!

[POE]

Oh please dear Pengoddess in the inkwell, let them reissue the Targa as it was with only finish & nib size updates. Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease.

[Deirdre]

If they make it in Ft. Madison, I'd be interested. Otherwise, not so much.

[POE]

Ft. Madison is a was.

[QM2]

How incredibly appropriate that I saw this thread now. I've just been editing some photos of my new Targa, placed next to my Heritage Legacy for comparison. So I have plenty to say about all this.

 

3. The Targa is rethought - visually the same concept, but the pen could be longer, wider, made of resin, etc. Think Parker 100 to the Parker 51.

 

Excellent idea. Excellent. I think if they made at least the gripping section of the pen wider and offered a resin version, it would be a best seller.

 

Here is my lovely "Tulle" Targa next to my lovely Heritage Legacy "Victorian". I think increasing the width of the Targa (particularly the gripping section) to match, would make this pen heavenly. Oh, and please ask them to do something about the Targa clip to make it look not quite so blah compared to the rest of the pen!..

 

http://queenmargot.com/sheaffer_targalegacy1.jpg

 

http://queenmargot.com/sheaffer_targalegacy2.jpg

 

2. Between the Prelude and Legacy in price ($100-$300 price range).

3. Super premium, in terms of finish and availability ($300-$1000 and up).

 

I would want it priced in these two categories, depending on the materials and finish.

 

And here is what I mean about the section being wider:

Edited August 7, 2008 by QM2

[Deirdre]

Ft. Madison is a was.

That was my point.

[Hoarder68]

I think the Targa range should start around $80 and go up - not all the way to the top (precious metal barrel), but to a nice gold nib. Metal is all very well, but a good quality plastic or resin pen would balance out the line well. Sure, keep the metal option open for those in to that sort of thing, but try the plastic, too. Something simple, clean, and bold (but not in-your-face) is what I would buy. I guess what I'm trying to say if that Sheaffer has the high-end luxury metal part down well, but something a bit more sedate would be desirable. Well-machined and well-designed plastic will not look or feel cheap.

I would go for the sterling silver Targa.