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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Center "Seat" Upholstery

Posted by: saigon71 Jan 18 2015, 08:05 PM

One of my winter projects is to re-upholster my center arm rest. Are our original seats leather, synthetic leather or vinyl?

Found this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FITS-PORSCHE-914-NEW-ARMREST-COVER-FOR-CENTER-ARM-REST-PAD-REAL-LEATHER-/140452661138?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b3a18792&vxp=mtr

Any recommendations? Of course I'm on a budget, but willing to spend a few extra bucks if there is a big quality difference.

Thanks!

Posted by: mepstein Jan 18 2015, 08:14 PM

original is vinyl. The one from ebay looks nice, especially if you already have a pad to replace.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PORSCHE-914-NEW-ARMREST-COVER-FOR-CENTER-ARM-REST-PAD-SYNTHETIC-LEATHER-/141479059162?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20f0cf1eda

Posted by: JmuRiz Jan 18 2015, 08:14 PM

Just vinyl, you could always DIY it if you found a close match at the fabric store...I did when I made a custom center panel (with speakers in it).

Posted by: Tom_T Jan 18 2015, 08:55 PM

Black Leatherette (vinyl) is probably the easiest to find replacement material, individual & full interior kits.

I don't know this group & they may be just fine.

The price sounds too low for "real leather" - so maybe it's not, or a very thin mm skin of leather glued to a backer, which I see on stuff from China & other low cost mfgrs. etc. of "leather" items, which then wear out, tear, crack, delaminate, etc. in a very short time. I see that all the time on Wallymart, Okaymart, Tar-get, etc. shoes, clothes, belts & other crappy suedo-leather-goods!

Evil-bay vendors & returns can be a royal PITA too!

However, first I'd check price & availability online with the known quantities who've redone a boatload of 914s - including at: Lakewell in Belgium, Autos International in Fallbrook CA, & World Upholstery in Ojai CA (or somewhere up there by Ventura/Camarillo/S-Barbara).

If they have full sets, individual pre-fitted items &/or raw material which is a close match to your OE black, then you can maybe do a piece now, & others later as you can afford them - then they will probably match pretty good (but .... dye lots can vary, texture can vary in batches), & the first one will probably not only last until you get to the next part to restore - but also last for another 10-20+ years of real life car use & aging!

Just my HO!
Tom
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Posted by: saigon71 Apr 15 2015, 01:20 PM

Update:

I ordered the synthetic one from Ebay a while ago. Just installed it today. Good fit, easy install & looks great. One word of caution if you buy one - check the orientation of the map pocket underneath...the first one they sent me was sewn in upside down, with the pocket opening toward the bottom, rendering it useless.

They sent me a new one as soon as I realized there was a problem. Aside from that, great product!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FITS-PORSCHE-914-NEW-ARMREST-COVER-FOR-CENTER-ARM-REST-PAD-SYNTHETIC-LEATHER-/141479059162?hash=item20f0cf1eda&vxp=mtr

The entire replacement process took about 30 minutes:

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Posted by: turk22 Apr 15 2015, 05:22 PM

Looks great!

I bought mine from another vendor (*cough AA cough*), and was disappointed with the seam quality. My wife fixed, by tearing it apart and re-sewing....

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Posted by: bandjoey Apr 15 2015, 08:31 PM

Post in classifieds. Bet u can find a nice original at a reasonable price.