LE interior color change question, Dye it back or replace? Options

[poorsche914]

The LE I just got had a brown interior but has been dyed black. Is there a way to dye it back to the original color or would I be better off finding a brown interior to replace it?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.volksbraggin.com-10419-1274053228.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.volksbraggin.com-10419-1274053228.2.jpg)

[Tom_T]

That is the #31 Beige interior under the dye, like I have in my 73 2L - not brown, which is much darker color.

Beige:


Brown:


74 Smooth & Basketweave Leatherette color chart (not great color rendition, but shows the diff.):


I don't know how well that sand the vinyl will work & you cannot get into the basketweave nooks anyway, aside from destroying the surface. If you're trying to do a proper resto on this LE, then get a COA from PCNA & it should tell you the original colors & may say if it was a "real" LE.

So you may be stuck with either an aftermarket repro. reupholstery or finding a proper beige interior & either the tan (504) or dark tan (503) loop pile carpet that went with it, as in the chart below:


The DAPO probably did that because the Beige & tan carpets are almost impossible to find nowadays, & in the process completely pucked-up the nicest interior color IMHO! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Appearance & Performance (morph), AA, PP, etc. sell the aftermarket interiors, since the originals are NLA, unless you can find an excellent salvaged one! I decided to use mine & find some smooth vinyl for backpads otherwise unusable to repair the bolster rips in my seats, etc.

Contact Davep & Jeff Bowlsby on here for LE info (do a member search, then PM or email them & start the dialog - they'll be happy to help), cuz they're the gurus on them (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) & can help your mission a lot!!! Other good originality resources are Steve Gaglione (smg or sahara steve with the 73 2L brown interior pic above), & George at AA (dr914). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Where in the Smokies are you?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[poorsche914]

That is the #31 Beige interior under the dye, like I have in my 73 2L - not brown, which is much darker color.
...
The DAPO probably did that because the Beige & tan carpets are almost impossible to find nowadays, & in the process completely pucked-up the nicest interior color IMHO! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)
...
Where in the Smokies are you?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Thanks for all the info, Tom. I plan on sending off for a COA at some point to see what was originally in the car.

The dye job was apparently done over 20 years ago by an owner before the one I bought the car from. To be honest, at this point I am not a die hard originalist (?) so if I am unable to locate the proper color interior at a reasonable price I will stick with black. Perhaps in the future I will restore to original. The carpet has also been replaced with some hand cut stuff and glued to the floor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

My current goal is to get the car roadworthy and then restore as I drive. I live in Sevierville TN and the winding roads are beckoning (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)