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Posted by: Txbentleyboy Oct 26 2016, 04:07 PM

I'm new, I'll readily admit it.

I'm wanting a 75-76 2.0 and would like to do the entire interior in leather. Is this a huge mistake?

Posted by: N_Jay Oct 26 2016, 04:27 PM

The purists will say ; "Yes!"

I say, do what you like.

My personal plan is to do leather since almost all my vinyl needs replacing anyhow.

Unless you are building a show car, then: "What the hell are you thinking!"

Posted by: Mueller Oct 26 2016, 04:31 PM

I can see it being tastefully done, and I could see it looking terrible, depends on your taste and the talent of the person doing it.

In the grand scheme of things it will not distract too much from the overall value of the car since it is all parts that can be replaced or put back to stock.

Posted by: Kansas 914 Oct 26 2016, 04:33 PM

I have seen it done and some of the trim pieces are tough to reinstall due to the thickness of the leather (A pillar comes to mind). But it can be done with effort.

Posted by: malcolm2 Oct 26 2016, 04:47 PM

do some searches here and Google. There are some areas that make a difference.

I have seen some nice dashes, steering wheels. I think a good condition vinyl back pad and basket weave seat look great. I would not spend the $$. on those areas, unless it was in the area of cushion and a nice cushy seat.

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 26 2016, 05:25 PM

If you don't like the way it looks, you can always re-purpose the leather ...

Posted by: euro911 Oct 26 2016, 05:33 PM

My seats are tan leather, everything else is the stock vinyl (albeit sprayed tan with fabric paint).

Posted by: Garland Oct 26 2016, 05:34 PM

Here are some links:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=197292&st=0#

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=100833#

Posted by: Perry Kiehl Clone Oct 26 2016, 05:42 PM

I had Original Fit Interiors make a leather interior for me back in the mid 90s. I got leather seats, door panels, and backpad but that's all. Some pieces would be tricky to cover in leather.

Posted by: jmitro Oct 26 2016, 05:51 PM

man, timely question for me.

I just got a quote for recovering my factory seats in vinyl today from a local upholstery shop. quoted $600+ per seat for cheap ass vinyl. Much more for leather.

I'd like a more pleasant seat covering than the stock cheap vinyl, but not sure I want to spend that kind of cash....

Posted by: Cairo94507 Oct 26 2016, 06:21 PM

Well, yet another area where I am not staying original....my interior is being re-covered in leather. The only vinyl will be the dash, knee-pad, top of the both the windshield pads and the rear roof pad. I have selected a leather that looks as close to stock as possible and covering it in the stock pattern too. Not cheap, but I think it will look and wear well.

Posted by: Rand Oct 26 2016, 06:22 PM

Is it wrong if I recover my couch? Depends on your criteria. Obviously you left concours land, so just do what makes you happy.

Posted by: iamchappy Oct 26 2016, 07:13 PM

You will love they way it smells...

Posted by: Rob-O Oct 26 2016, 07:18 PM

The cabin of a 914 is small. Opening the door to get into the car you'll get a strong smell of it. Personally I think it's great, adding to the 'old, cool sports car' vibe.

Posted by: JmuRiz Oct 26 2016, 07:27 PM

Leather interior is great. Cost is the only factor for me.

Posted by: RickS Oct 26 2016, 08:08 PM

By adding leather you just may cause a cardinal sin, make others jealous. Do it.

Posted by: ConeDodger Oct 26 2016, 08:23 PM

Think of the cows man!!!

Posted by: Chris914n6 Oct 26 2016, 08:47 PM

In Texas.... yes. Leather hates direct sun and sweat. Lots of care required to keep it nice and supple.
I had a 94 Infiniti a few years ago. Drivers door panel in leather looked horrible and good luck finding one in better shape. Contrary, the vinyl in my older Pathfinder still looks good, and the cloth seats held up better plus it breathes so my back isn't wet with sweat. A vinyl seat isn't any better but the 914 basket weave texture helps.

That being said, I'm redoing my interior in a 2 tone leather look vinyl, likely perforated vinyl seats, and keeping my cloth covered pillars.

Re-upholstering seats here is $200-250 each including a good cloth/vinyl, for bottom back & headrest.

Posted by: euro911 Oct 26 2016, 08:55 PM

... as long as it overpowers the oil and gas smell from the engine compartment

Posted by: euro911 Oct 26 2016, 08:57 PM

Does that include the bolsters?

Posted by: whitetwinturbo Oct 26 2016, 09:48 PM

Hijack Alert!

Where can I get the cool Passenger side aluminum foot rest seen in the above older threads?

Posted by: RobW Oct 26 2016, 09:50 PM

I leather wrapped my e brake. A nice touch I might say.....

Posted by: bretth Oct 26 2016, 09:52 PM

I believe leather was a rare factory 914 option for seats at least?

Brett

Posted by: Cairo94507 Oct 26 2016, 10:30 PM

Yeah, but only on the 914 S......

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Oct 26 2016, 10:35 PM

Do it. Make it smell like a new baseball mitt inside.

Posted by: dcheek Oct 27 2016, 07:07 AM

This is just my personal opinion.
Leather is a high maintenance item. Especially in an open top car. I joke with my buddies that if I ordered a new Porsche I would special order leather seat BACKS only. Why? You get the leather smell without the wear, cracking and maintenance necessary for leather seat faces.

As they say, vinyl is final. My 914 seats are over 40 years old and look like they just came from the factory. I doubt they would look this good, no matter how diligent I was in maintaining them, if they were leather.

I hate leather seats!
Just my 2¢

Dave

Posted by: JmuRiz Oct 27 2016, 07:25 AM

Engman made them (insert sad face)

Posted by: Chris H. Oct 27 2016, 08:18 AM

Yep . And I think he made a few driver's left foot rest things too. Could be wrong on that.

Posted by: mbseto Oct 27 2016, 09:10 AM

I would love to have a leather interior. You can get a damaged-in-shipping leather couch pretty cheap and I'm thinking it might be possible to turn that into an interior. At least the seats, doors, and wheel.

Posted by: Philip W. Oct 27 2016, 09:32 AM

we are... its called repurposing!

Posted by: Philip W. Oct 27 2016, 09:42 AM

vinyl and leather BOTH can crack- when I got my 914 the vinyl seat bolsters were so bad they were falling apart if you touched them! but the car had been in 29 palms CA so how much of that was the desert heat etc? I don't know - - in cold climates like in Minnesota growing up we had issues with it cracking in the winter at 30 below too LOL! personally I like leather better, cheap leather will crack and wear- the bolsters in my Boxster were wearing, but I have a 2000 528I BMW , and a 2004 Jag Vanden Plas both leather interiors that still look brand new!! - even in our hot sunny summers, - both cars have extra tint too, im sure that helps, and I condition them regularly(I was not the original owner but bought both cars from elderly individuals that took great care of their cars) - Quality of the leather matters a lot - processing and tanning of the leather- My Saab seats were horrible- both the leather and the vinyl cracks , seemed to be a issue for Saab always---- so just my 2cents worth- do the leather if you want to, but get the good stuff!

- fyi I did the 914 rubber seat replacement kits with the plaid inserts, they look and fit great!! - I like the cloth seats much better to sit on if cold or hot- not expensive and period correct- good vinyl that will last a lot longer than most of the original stuff did.

Posted by: Mikey914 Oct 27 2016, 10:00 AM

We can make the kits in leather, or whatever you want. Just a matter of material cost.

Posted by: Mark Henry Oct 27 2016, 10:26 AM

Seats and back pad, etc. are OK, I don't like the dashes I've seen.

Posted by: mbseto Oct 27 2016, 12:51 PM

/

Would this require a GB or minimum number of orders?

Posted by: GeorgeRud Oct 27 2016, 01:13 PM

My 911 Targa has leather seats, dash, etc., and the shrinkage over the years has caused panels and the dash to warp. I even went with sheepskin seat covers to make the seats more comfortable when the car is in the sun with the top off.

When I redid my 914 seats, I had them make cloth seating surfaces along with the vinyl. Cooler to sit on if the car has been in the sunlight! But most of all, do what pleases you!

Posted by: jmitro Oct 27 2016, 02:50 PM

I'm definitely interested in that!

Posted by: Ed_914 Oct 27 2016, 03:02 PM

Count me in for a kit in leather

Posted by: KeithVonLaws Oct 27 2016, 03:02 PM

Love the idea... I guess the biggest concern I would have is who is installing it and do they have the same vision for the correct look. Doing something like a full leather interior and making it look as if it were a Factory installed option is very difficult . In my opinion I would do the seats and select other items but I would make sure the shop doing it for you understands exactly the kind of look you are after.

Good Luck Post pics if you Git er Done !!!

Posted by: My 914 Oct 27 2016, 03:22 PM

Personally, I like the look and smell of a leather interior and have never regretted having leather seats in any car I have owned. I think its worth the cost if you find someone reputable to do the work.

Posted by: maf914 Oct 28 2016, 08:05 AM

Rennline and Pelican Parts carry the driver side aluminum footboards, but I don't know where to find the passenger side. As Nathan said, Engman offered them in the past and I bought one at that time.

Posted by: euro911 Oct 28 2016, 09:36 AM

Check with Dave (Maddog on this board), he makes them (both sides), and dead pedals too

http://www.maddogsmotorsports.org/accessories.html

Posted by: PanelBilly Oct 28 2016, 09:48 AM

My car is mostly leather. The dash is vinyl and I wish I had done it in a stitched leather. Maybe I'll pull it back out someday and have it redone. Sure was hard to put the trim around the sail panels back together. With everything slightly thicker there was a lot of tight tolerances.

Posted by: Mark Henry Oct 28 2016, 12:13 PM

Restoration Design now has the foot boards in original wood and they are looking for ideas to expand their line, drop Pete a PM and tell him you'd be interested if they made them.

Posted by: euro911 Oct 28 2016, 06:19 PM

Maddog already makes them ...





http://www.maddogsmotorsports.org/accessories.html

Posted by: Bob L. Oct 28 2016, 08:24 PM

Everyone talking about their leather goodies, I think the time has come....

Posted by: euro911 Oct 28 2016, 10:03 PM

Only the seats are leather. These were 'previously owned' by Jim Hoyland.

Posted by: Mikey914 Oct 29 2016, 11:23 AM

Can do to order. Just need to have the material you want spec'd. Typically can do an interior in about 10-12 days.

PS also make the OEM style pedal boards along with pedal stop and adjuster if you need them. -For less

Also note ours are now available stained black - just like OEM at no extra cost.

http://shop.914rubber.com/Plywood-floor-board-drivers-side-only-914FB-P.htm?categoryId=-1

Posted by: oakdalecurtis Oct 30 2016, 04:06 PM

I know you're asking about leather, but since I recovered my yellow vinyl seats with the original tartan cloth, I have received a TON of compliments.

Posted by: barefoot Oct 30 2016, 04:17 PM

Well, smells like dead cows in there !!

Posted by: My 914 Oct 30 2016, 08:24 PM

yellow tartan seats on a black leather base would be an awsome combination.

Posted by: SKL1 Oct 30 2016, 08:32 PM

Saw this car at a recent C&C in Scottsdale AZ. Didn't see the owner so don't know who did it. Was a 6 conversion- looked nice.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Oct 30 2016, 09:28 PM

Wow - that looks really nice. Would love to see more pictures that interior.

Posted by: porschetub Oct 31 2016, 02:56 AM

hot sweaty and expensive the 914 is a hot place so unless you live in a temperate climate it's not the way to go.
My audi qt avant 3.0 has leather I would happy change to the fabric seats I had in my last 1.8T any day,not like I want to downgrade but that's reality in our hot summers.

Posted by: slotty008 Oct 31 2016, 02:22 PM

This is a really "cool" interior. More pics please!
I now have alcantara seats in my BMW. Much better than leather :cool in the summer and warm in the winter and you don't "slide" on them . After 50 000 km they still look new.

Posted by: mepstein Oct 31 2016, 03:14 PM

The gt3 we got rid of was alcantara, the testarossa that replaced it, is all leather. Pretty girl vs supermodel.

Posted by: Mike Fitton Oct 31 2016, 03:25 PM

Alcantara was just a passing fad, as a matter of fact it has past. Just a synthetic microfiber fabric that was invented in the 70's.

Posted by: slotty008 Oct 31 2016, 04:32 PM

The alcantara sport seats are standard on the BMW "M" kit . OK, leather looks better but I just love the feel of the alcantara.

Posted by: slotty008 Oct 31 2016, 04:37 PM

And I really like these

Posted by: My 914 Oct 31 2016, 07:37 PM

That sharp! Was it leather? The brown and black go very well together. I've always liked the two tone interior look.

Posted by: Z356 Oct 31 2016, 09:55 PM

It was done by Patrick Motorsports in Phoenix.
James has a fellow that does all the interiors at
his shop (see photo below). The latter was in
fact showing me his leather workmanship on that
car earlier today.



This same individual just finished doing a custom
carpet interior on my 1973 2.0:



Saludos,
Eduardo
Scottsdale