Printable Version of Topic

Posted by: dagdal1967 Apr 8 2003, 03:47 AM

Hey all,

I'm just starting to look at center consoles for my 73 914, and have no idea at what price is fair.

I know that good original (intact) consoles are getting more and more hard to come by, so what kind of price should I be looking at.

There is one out of a 73 on e-bay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2410555110&category=33695) starting off at $95 and with a BuyItNow price of $160.. Is that a good/fair/average/piss-take price?

I really have no idea!

Thanks in advance for the help!

Dougie

Posted by: James Adams Apr 8 2003, 08:00 AM

I usually see them go for $100 to $125 in good to nice condition.

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Apr 8 2003, 08:20 AM

If the gauges worked, it would be a good price, yeah.

Looks like it could use some clean-up. Or maybe there's vinyl damage and the seller's way of hiding it is to not wipe the piece down.

-Rusty

Posted by: dagdal1967 Apr 8 2003, 08:28 AM

Good point about the gauges and the vinyl. How difficult would it be to take it apart and replace the the covering.

Maybe I should make my own and create some more stage nearer the driver.. 've done stuff like this before, and my dad used to re-finish furniture, so has experience at vinyl and leather covering..

Always wondered why the glove box was sooo bloody far away..

Hmmm... Might be worth waiting till I get home and survey the car myself to see how I feel at the time.

Still.. nice to know what I should be paying for one in nice condition.. So I will know for next time.

Thanks guys!

Posted by: Chris H. Apr 8 2003, 08:40 AM

FYI that console is not for a '73, unless the temp gauge was replaced. The '73 temp gauge has a lot larger red zone. No big deal, just FYI.

As long as the gauges work the $100-$125 range is about right. The vinyl can be replaced pretty cheap if you want to do it. It also cleans up pretty good.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Apr 8 2003, 10:14 AM

Or, you could pay for the AUTO ATLANTA replica center console.....500 bucks sound good?
they were advertising them a little while back on the bay. said they were made out of thicker wood, better everything......
I still need a center console heat lever:
any 4 sale?
or am i able to bend it like described in [/B]How to restore and modify your PORSCHE 914[B][/B][I]

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 8 2003, 10:28 AM

My console was sitting in a rust bucket outside for many years. It has some kind of super dirt or mold (no smell) on it that will not come off. If you want to buy the one on ebay ask the seller to clean it and guarantee (pic's) that it is in good condition.

The vinyl is a molded factory type with fake stitching, kind of cheap looking crap IMHO.

I'm getting my mommy to look at it tonight. She has done upholstery for me before and does a good pro-looking job. I'll let you know what she says.

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 8 2003, 12:12 PM

hey, do you think you could interest your mommy to do a small production run?
i agree with the "cheap" look of the original vinyl. plus mine is cracked.
would love to get it re-done nice.

i'm willing to pay

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Apr 8 2003, 12:45 PM

There was also a storage console. I have one that was recovered with gray carpet (very serendipitous - it matches my carpet set exactly.)

Was the storage box/console a factory option?

Posted by: dagdal1967 Apr 8 2003, 01:03 PM

This was called "The Deposit" in the 914 Restorers guide to Authenticity...

It says (And I quote)....

Between the driver's and passenger's footwells was an apholstered partition referred to as a "deposit" in the parts manuals. These were carpeted to match either felt or loop floor carpeting in 1970 and 1971. They were modified in 1972 and then again in 1975. The 916 had one that held a solitary fuel gauge at the top.

An optional center console was available from 1973 on, housing three instruments. It extended back from the dashboard surrounding both the shift lever and the heater control lever and was made of black vinyl-covered fiber board. The console was modified when the dealer-installed Air-con was fitted.
Hope that helps..



Doug

Posted by: Brad Roberts Apr 8 2003, 01:42 PM

I see them go for 150$ if the clock works and there are NO cigarette burns on the piece that goes over the shifter.

I'm not a big fan of the center console... but if I'm going to buy one... it better not have any cig burns.


B

Posted by: anthony Apr 8 2003, 01:49 PM

That console on ebay looks like a piece of crap. The seller says "just needs to be cleaned up a bit". Whenever you buy any of these console pieces on ebay be sure to email the seller and ask about cigarette burns because they don't show up in digital photos.

I think the prices suggested in this thread are on the low side. If anyone has a full console in 9+ condition with no cigarette burns I will gladly buy it for $100-125. The auctions I've followed on ebay for excellent condition consoles have all ended in the $225-$300 range.

I've kind of decided to make my own. It is really easy to run some vinyl through a sewing machine. I made a console for my old 320i and it looked better than the factory 914 console. I turned the vinyl inside out, ran a stitch along the contour of the edge of the console and voila, I had a beautiful single stitch seam. A real double stitch like the console imitates would only be a little harder to produce.

Posted by: anthony Apr 8 2003, 01:50 PM

Brad just slipped ahead of me there with a similar sentiment regarding cigarette burns. They are so gross.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Apr 8 2003, 02:04 PM

I have been around the block a few times...


B

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 8 2003, 02:07 PM

I'll see what me mum say's.

I just phoned I got the nights mixed up, I'm going for din-din's tomorrow night.

Here's the skinny, if I was to sell it as a "Trinket Crap" deal there is 3 options:

1/ would be a send me your core console deal, I'm in Canada so there is a tad bit hassle and expensive that way.

2/ A DIY kit with instructions, a slipcover type deal that you glue/staple on yourself.

3/ whole new panels. I could make these so that you just use your brackets on the new panels. I would copy the factory console.

Options 2 and 3, I can ship from within the USA so no added expenses, shipping from the Ohio area!


Before it would happen, I have to make mine, be happy and take pic's of it. The stitch on the edge would be the big one, I doubt (big time) if it will look exactly like stock.
Making a new storage console would also be no problem, I actually hate how mine fits/works so I will change it slightly as well.

BUT I could make a custom gauge panel!!!

If it were just for Andy and me it would be a one shot deal. Or do you think others would be interested? If so I could do a limited run. I should to be able to beat AA's price by large. (500 bucks give me a break) Do you have the link to their page on the console? I'll see how much my cost's are.

I should have my console done in a couple of weeks, if anyone is interested chime in or email me.

Posted by: Kerrys914 Apr 8 2003, 02:12 PM

Nice avatar update Brad...

Old Glory never looked so GOOD

Cheers

Posted by: anthony Apr 8 2003, 02:21 PM

One thing to remember is AA's console is complete. If you buy new vdo gauges, make a wiring harness, make/buy a new shiftboot, defrost light, and provide a new console heater lever you are going to have a lot of time/resources into this project. I'd think you'd have to charge $350+ in order to make it worth your time and effort.

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 8 2003, 02:30 PM

hey, B. nice photo of Lyressa
do you have more where that came from?

Posted by: SirAndy Apr 8 2003, 02:37 PM

i don't need stock look. as long as it looks cool, i'm happy

i like the console the way it is, but if you come up with another design let me (us) know.
i suppose a kit would work fine for me.
i have a glue-gun and stapler.

btw. i paid $100 for mine, all gauges working (including clock), plus it came with the wire-harness and brackets etc. got it from EASY in oakland.

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 8 2003, 03:08 PM

Shift boot is no big deal but I see mine is made of real leather. Is that because it might start to crack if frozen? The plastic ring that holds it I’ll have to think about.

The gauges your right I can’t help there, you can get them cheaper in the States than I can here, I could make a harness but the colour code, etc. will not be the same.

The heat lever is a problem and so is the plastic heat lever grommet.

My teen had the defrost light. Just move it.

I think I would just offer a retro fit, so people can fix their existing consoles.

Still in the idea stage!

Posted by: campbellcj Apr 8 2003, 03:18 PM

I have bought & sold a few in the $125-175 range. That is in "near perfect", complete condition including 3 working gauges and a decent shift boot. Just another data point...

Posted by: Mark Henry Apr 10 2003, 07:08 AM

I'm going to make all new panels and tray, I let you know how it works out.

My panels and tray smell a bit musty so I'll just replace them. My trays flip top doesn't fit quite right and there are a couple of other things I don't like. The big point I don't like is the hard panel edge against my leg.

I will see if they will work as slip covers before I install them. I'll post pic's if they work out in a couple of weeks.

Posted by: Gint Apr 10 2003, 08:07 AM

I've seen and purchased that section of the console for $125 in decent shape with gauges and harness, heat lever and defrost lamp and housing. What I find interesting though is that you never see the box that goes between the seats for sale. What are they worth? I have a full set that I should sell of to help offset the cost for the /6 body/rust repair.

Posted by: Steve Thacker Apr 10 2003, 12:17 PM

One of those center boxes sold complete for hummm 35 on ebay.
I have two and holding onto them with a death grip. The others with the cheesy plastic tray maybe go for 5~10 ?

Posted by: Steve Thacker Apr 10 2003, 12:20 PM

I sold a center console on ebay for $202.52

It was very nice and.... clean. You would have thought that the seller would have at least cleaned his up?