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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ OT, Family dips into the car industry

Posted by: Socalandy Nov 12 2010, 06:23 PM

I have known for along time my great great gradfather Michael Thonet invented the bent wood process and the company is now making shift knobs for Volvo.

Kinda cool I think

http://activeautorepair.com/blog/contemporary-furniture-designer-thonet-takes-on-volvo-c70-gearshift-duties

Posted by: Tom_T Nov 16 2010, 02:58 PM

How cool Andy!

They're probably using the urethane varnish that my Dad helped create while at Koppers when we lived in Pittsburgh in the 50's & early 60's. He, my brother & I were the 1st in the world to use it on the test boards for different formulas in our basement back there (he got a free basement paneling out of it).

Did Thonet also make the wood AMCO knobs with the Porsche Crest or Shift Patterns for 914s & 911s/912s which the dealers & independent suppliers sold back in the day?

... I know that they made those aftermarket "factory approved" knobs for Volvo & most other makes back then.

Cheers!
Tom
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