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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ The 914-Tartan Connection
Posted by: Osnabruck914 Jun 13 2023, 03:14 PM
Many 914 owners choose tartans in various color schemes as their seat upholstery. I personally do not have tartan in my car, however I appreciate the look, especially if the scheme is well coordinated with the color of the car, but I have always wondered why "Scottish Tartan" in a "German Car" ???
Can someone elaborate as to how this all started? Were tartan interiors an original option? Was a Scottish owner the first to install it and it just caught on? Did a Scottish dealership come up with this idea? Did a frugal owner, who needed to redo his seats, look around the house for material and only came up with a bolt of tartan his wife was saving for some Highland Games costumes?
Sorry for my ignorance, just puzzled by this clash of cultures.
I will await enlightenment while sipping a wee dram.
Osnabruck914
Posted by: Superhawk996 Jun 13 2023, 03:20 PM
1969 - early 70s. Bell bottoms, plaid was in. So was 
Somewhere I have a terrible photograph of me in plaid bell bottoms that my mom must have bought for me 
Posted by: Osnabruck914 Jun 13 2023, 03:26 PM
1969 - early 70s. Bell bottoms, plaid was in. So was
Somewhere I have a terrible photograph of me in plaid bell bottoms that my mom must have bought for me
You're not alone. My mom bought me those same pants. I have burned every photograph of me wearing them
Osnabruck914
Posted by: SirAndy Jun 13 2023, 03:41 PM
Absolutely!
https://bowlsby.net/914/Classic/PaintFabrics.htm
Posted by: SirAndy Jun 13 2023, 03:44 PM
https://vintageuro.com/when-german-engineering-meets-scottish-tartan-upholstery/
Posted by: Osnabruck914 Jun 13 2023, 03:51 PM
Thanks SirAndy for clearing that up.
Osnabruck914
Posted by: Jack Standz Jun 13 2023, 07:00 PM
We have an original tartan seat in our hoard, so can verify they did come from Porsche that way.
But, how about Pasha? Anyone have a Pasha 914? Wonder what that would look like.
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/1117871-official-pasha-thread-post-a-photo-or-discuss-pasha-only-3.html
Posted by: Jack Standz Jun 13 2023, 07:04 PM
Never mind, answered my own question.
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Posted by: Front yard mechanic Jun 13 2023, 07:17 PM
Some look very natural in tartan not my car tho 
Posted by: peteinjp Jun 13 2023, 07:49 PM
Some look very natural in tartan not my car tho
This is making a better case for sequined rather than tartan seats IMO...
Anyway I'm so glad Osnabruck brought his up because I have never understood the reason for the fascination with tartan. No I can enjoy it a bit more in my own car which has tartan centers on the seats.
Pete
Posted by: r_towle Jun 13 2023, 09:09 PM
1969 - early 70s. Bell bottoms, plaid was in. So was
Somewhere I have a terrible photograph of me in plaid bell bottoms that my mom must have bought for me
Pictures must be posted!!
Posted by: BillJ Jun 13 2023, 09:21 PM
They were a 75 and 76 only option. Looks great in the cars i think.
Posted by: Mikey914 Jun 14 2023, 07:53 AM
Correct, Not sure how many cars were factory with the plaid ,but it looks good when done correctly.
I thought that resurrecting the material was worthwhile, so we did. Now we can get you all the tartan you want!! EVEN THROWS!
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Posted by: BillJ Jun 14 2023, 08:28 AM
My 75 had them as original equipment.
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Posted by: Steve Jun 14 2023, 08:35 AM
My 75 VW Sirocco also came with Orange plaid seats.
Posted by: BillJ Jun 14 2023, 08:37 AM
Another shot prior to carpet and the restored center console.
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Posted by: DRPHIL914 Jun 14 2023, 02:28 PM
Another shot prior to carpet and the restored center console.
Bill, thats a great looking /6!!! i hope you plan on bringing it to Okteenerfest this year so we can see it in person.
Phil
Posted by: BillJ Jun 14 2023, 02:42 PM
Another shot prior to carpet and the restored center console.
Bill, thats a great looking /6!!! i hope you plan on bringing it to Okteenerfest this year so we can see it in person.
Phil
Thats the 1975 914 4 that i sold last year. It was a really nice car and now lives in Seattle.
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Posted by: flat4guy Jun 14 2023, 08:20 PM
It just looks good
Posted by: burton73 Jun 15 2023, 07:13 AM
My 75 VW Sirocco also came with Orange plaid seats.
My 1973 VW Westfalia Orange camper that I got delivery in Germany at camper factory.
Great fun in Europe for 90 days
Bob B
Posted by: ClayPerrine Jun 15 2023, 07:19 AM
Does anyone know what years the tartan cloth was available?
Posted by: BillJ Jun 15 2023, 08:09 AM
75 and 76 only
Posted by: wonkipop Jun 16 2023, 07:31 PM
My 75 VW Sirocco also came with Orange plaid seats.
the tartan in 914s was a spillover from the new scirocco which started production in late 74 as a 75 model. at the karmann factory. it was part of the whole new design and look of VWs that were going water cooled. i could be wrong but i think the scirocco was the first water cooled to go into production. might have even beat the golf. not entirely positive on that.
Posted by: bludden Jun 18 2023, 03:59 PM
I’ve purchased Tartan fabric for my seats, but they were refinished so well in leather, that I hate tearing them apart.
The pattern was designed by the government of Scotland for people involved in the ballistic submarine base at Holy Loch to wear. I managed to sneak in, having tore my ACL on the first liberty out to Danoon. It’s green and blue and should go well with Alaska Blue Metallic.
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