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Posted by: Mark Henry Dec 31 2002, 09:57 PM

I saw an ad on a ‘for sale’ page for a 914 rare wood dash insert (factory or dealer option)? Is there such an animal?

Does anyone have a good high quality picture of this dash insert? Or any info? Wood type?

My other gig (you know, the one that pays the bills) is cabinet making. I do some quality reproduction work, besides the industrial and high-end residential woodworking.

I would love to do something nicer than my boring, cheap looking crap insert material, that’s starting to curl in the corners. But I would like to stick to something that at least looks like it might have been a dealer option.

I’ve seen a .com biz flogging an insert kit, but I would be totally pissed if I got a piece of masonite, with MACtac stuck on it.

Posted by: J P Stein Dec 31 2002, 10:43 PM

I don't have a good answer here.
I had a 73 911 with a wood dash. Tho it was decent material, it didn't look like it belonged there.

The gutted dash in my 914 was lookin' pretty sorry so I made a dash from wood. It don't look right either......but it does cover all them holes

Posted by: krk Jan 1 2003, 10:13 AM

Mark,

In my '73 (now gone) the PO had put a wooden dash kit on. I'm guessing that it was a kit btw. It came in 3 pieces -- one for the glove box lid, and one for each side of the steering column. I'll rummage in my old photos and see if I can find a pic that shows it. (I'm sure I've got one somewhere as I was totally nuts about the car when I got it. Actually, I was totally nuts about it when I sold it, but there's only so much room at the house and something had to go...) Anyhooo, I'll take a look later today.

kim.

Posted by: Mark Henry Jan 1 2003, 02:48 PM

Be clear, I would only do it if it looks proper. The quality level would be par with the work you see in a Rolls or Bentley. A nice burl, matched grain and a professional finish.

When I say I do high-end work, I mean expensive. If you want cheap, go to Home Debit. If you want firewood go to Wal-mart.

Posted by: Gint Jan 1 2003, 04:17 PM

.02 of MHO coming up...

I've seen a few wood dashes in 914's, didn't like any of 'em. If you did a really nice install (although I think a burl would be waaaay overkill in a 914), it might look good.

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Jan 1 2003, 04:59 PM

British cars look good with wood but not Porsches. Check ebay #1875851355 to see Craig Laughlin's carbon fiber dash. Not the best pic. Maybe he will post a better one. Very easy to cut and fit. I copied him on my car but don't have a pic. I eliminated the radio, glove box and heater controls (headers) on my car. He kept his closer to stock. Really goes well with stock black interior and looks better than the basket weave vinyl.

Posted by: Justin Fischer Jan 2 2003, 07:45 AM

Since we are talking about rare wood options, has anyone ever seen one of these steering wheels before. It is part number: 914 347 809 00 and it has a date of 11 72 stamped on it.

Posted by: Justin Fischer Jan 2 2003, 07:47 AM

Another shot:

Posted by: Mark Henry Jan 2 2003, 11:41 AM

Anytime I think about doing a custom mod, I think that I will look at this, before I do it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7251&item=1875963283

Posted by: Targa Jan 2 2003, 03:25 PM

That really makes me want to puke.

Posted by: Brad Roberts Jan 2 2003, 06:56 PM

The wood wheel is cool... but the ebay car does make me puke. LOL

Posted by: Curvie Roadlover Jan 2 2003, 10:10 PM

You could try and try but you could NEVER come up with an uglier interior than that car!! Notice in the ad there isn't ONE piece of info about the motor. I like the wood steering wheel, especially since it's factory produced.

Posted by: Rob Ways Jan 2 2003, 10:53 PM

It must have been an option. I met a guy in the Sac Area with a black 914-6 with the factory flares. I'm pretty sure it had a wood dash. For the sporting gentleman I presume (wood).

Posted by: Maine914 Feb 1 2003, 07:43 PM

I saw one on a 1.7 in Southern Connecticut. The owner said it was aftermarket. It was kind of a paste-on veneer that looked pretty cheap.
Good luck.

Posted by: tryan Feb 1 2003, 07:53 PM

jp. the tach gets turned so red line is straight up, but why is the speedo turned in the pic in your post.

i assume your car goes so fast that it spins the speedometer right out of the dash? just curious?

Posted by: Curvie Roadlover Feb 1 2003, 08:27 PM

In my car the speedo is turned for visibility. My car is for street use but has a MOMO steering wheel which blocks most of the speedo from about 0 to 60 mph.Turning the speedo allows me to see a more useful range of speeds on the dial.

Posted by: J P Stein Feb 1 2003, 08:35 PM

The speedo is turned so's I can see the 60-90 range.
The 320mm steering wheel blocks it out, otherwise.
When the car starts to feel good and the Webers start to sing, I glance at the speedo...oops.....90ish. A guy can get in trouble there.

As for the tach, I have never looked at it while AXing.
I short shift (by ear) from first . I've found that is best. When the tires hook, it's time to shift. I use the rev limiter in 2nd. I seldom use 3rd but limiter anounces the need for a shift....shit, blew that run. I then either put in the 7300 chip or figure out where to shift into 3rd for the next run.
I hope, with more practice, I'll find find time to look at it some day. Now, things happen too fast for me to keep up.
ulf leads a hard life.

Posted by: tryan Feb 1 2003, 10:34 PM

is redline in 3rd about 90? i thought staight up might be the speed limit of 70.

edit: i have the same steering wheel and love the fat grip.the it's only non stock item on the car.

Posted by: J P Stein Feb 1 2003, 11:06 PM

I dunno, sounds about right.
Since I been screwing around with tire sizes, my speedo is
"Reference Only" 80 indicated is 70ish....bout 3300 rpm.

I like the wheel, also. It's a good fit for me.

I'm gonna paint one of them white stripes on it so I can tell which way I'm turnin'....prolly worth a second or 2, I figure. I might not get lost so often, also.

Posted by: seanery Feb 2 2003, 07:48 PM

Wanna sell the wood wheel?

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Feb 2 2003, 08:35 PM

While the wood wheel looks good, I think it is a custom wheel made from a factory wheel. I do not believe Porsche ever made a wood rimmed wheel for the 914 ( or 911 for that matter). I recall seeing ads by a company which would convert a stock wheel to a wood rim. It was expensive.

Posted by: Dave_Darling Feb 3 2003, 05:27 PM

Remember, "Dealer Option" is another way of saying "Anything that Joe-Bob Carseller can slap on there and charge you an arm and a leg for"...

--DD

Posted by: Brad Roberts Feb 3 2003, 09:25 PM

My wifes car and Muellers 6 had the "exact" same wood grain kit in them. I yanked the wifes kit and will yank the 6's kit. The main problem is: the headlight and other switches are difficult to work. They where designed to work on a flat piece not wood with recess holes.

B