Crazy 914 visor replacement idea..., And could be easy to make as a product? Options

[horizontally-opposed]

Was talking to Jim over at EASY about how good visors are one of the most sought-after gems in wrecked 914s. Mine are nice, but now that I'm driving the car regularly and letting it sit in the sun they're starting to get a little spongy...

Would a cheap (and VERY trick) alternative be a pair of tinted (dark smoke) clear plastic visors -- like factory racers used in 356 GTs back in the 1950s? I'm sure there would be takers at, say, $100?

Anyone can "steal" this idea, just be sure to hook me up on the first pair...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

pete

[seanery]

Pete,
there is a guy who sells just that on ebay fairly regularly.

[Jenny]

I thought there were some on the bay awhile back. I could be mistaken. I'm sure others will feel free to chime in. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Jen

[East coaster]

The evil-bay visors I saw were clear lexan, which I could never figure out (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Seems like they should at least be smoked... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif) so to speak.

[Mueller]

I don't like the idea...something about having a piece of plastic just inches aways from my face that could cause irrepairable damage frightens me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

one could still get jacked up by the factory units, but they will still "give" before cutting your nose off your face.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[IronHillRestorations]

I don't like the idea...something about having a piece of plastic just inches aways from my face that could cause irrepairable damage frightens me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

one could still get jacked up by the factory units, but they will still "give" before cutting your nose off your face.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

When I first opened the shop, and started seeing what unique 914 parts that were needed, I looked into making reproduction sunvisors.

I dropped the idea after I found the tooling to make a accurate set of visors would be between $3000-$4500, and that the original plastic isn't available. There's one that has the right grain, but not is way too shiney. From my experience, most 914'ers want a new reproduction part to be a perfect exact duplicate of the factory part, BUT want the price to be the same as a used part. I figured that I'd have to get $150-$200 a set, and that would have the same result as a fart in a space suit.

The reason the 914 has a thin wire frame is for the same reason you don't want a piece of lexan so close to your head. The OEM visors easily deform upon impact, whereas the lexan will easily peel off the skin from your face (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) Or worse (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[bondo]

What about adapting the visors from another vehicle, for those of use who don't care about originality? The thing that has always bugged me about 914 visors is they don't pivot to the side window as they do in most cars. I realize you'd have to duck to move them over, but you have to duck in alot of cars (like my mustang). It seems like there must be visors from another car of the same era that do pivot and would look pretty much right. Has this ever been done?

[Jenny]

I don't like the idea...something about having a piece of plastic just inches aways from my face that could cause irrepairable damage frightens me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

That's what your helmet is for. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I don't have to worry. My visor doesn't do a thing for me, unless I happen to be sitting on a stack of phone books. I just use these things... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)

Jen

[STL914]

I thought there was a thread here last year about a company that could make reproduction visors for any type of car, including the 914. Price was about $68/pair if I'm not mistaken. You send them a set of visor frames and they build new visors around them.

I'll need to check my lap top at home and see if Ican find the
e-mail I received from them with the price quote. I think I also bookmarked their web site.

[seanery]

I remember that thread.
Seemed like a good deal.

[STL914]

Found it:

http://www.autosunvisors.com/

[Qarl]

Those visors are nice, but a bit different then the stock visors. They use vinyl that is stitched and folded (much like American cans from the 60's early 70's).

Also, no map pocket and just a mirror with no flap to cover.

This IS a good deal for getting new visors if you don't care about concourse stuff.

That said... I REALLY TRIED... to find a source to duplicate the visors in China or Taiwan. I was just doing google searches and had no success. I kept coming up with the folding sun reflectors that you put on top of your dashboard to keep the heat out.

It think your best source is for someone to find a company in Taiwan to dupe the visors. They could duplicate neary anything. Heck many of the parts AA sells that copies of OEM parts (turn signal switches, seals, etc.). They have them made overseas.

[horizontally-opposed]

Hear you on the crash safety issues and did think about that, but if the visors were made "shorter" would they still work for most of us and be far enough away from our foreheads?

Just sat in my car and what if they were made as low-profile units? Where the stock ones curve down from the center posts, just make that the bottom all the way across? So they'd be about half as tall, which for many drivers would be more than enough. The only way I can use my stock visors is to push them all the way forward and up under the windshield frame to touch the windshield itself. That leaves a gap that the sun still comes through above the visor...

Maybe make really short Lexan visors, then put a slightly bent lip on the leading edge to help a fore head go under them? Then sell them for "use with a helmet only" to prevent any legal issues? I dunno, but while I am ALL for safety (and I cannot emphasize this enough), I could probably pick a better car for a crash than a 914.

A chilling thought, that...

pete

BTW, my visors DO pivot to double as side visors. Found a black anodized aluminum kit at EASY years ago and they thought it was an old Automotion kit. VERY COOL!

[horizontally-opposed]

OR, could someone figure out a way to gut our stock visors in good shape along the edge that we don't see and put something inside that would be safe in an accident but less like to get, uh, crunchy and spongy?

pete

[AZ914]

Also, no map pocket and just a mirror with no flap to cover.

There is supposed to be a flap???

[Jenny]

Or... or...!!!! You can tint across the top of your windshield and put sunglasses on your teener. Some don't like the look, but it works.

Jen

[ws91420]

Tinting the upper windshield is fine if your state allows it.

[STL914]

Here's the simple answer to the sun visor issue:

[GWN7]

Tinting the upper windshield is fine if your state allows it.

Yep, I have several Roadglue banners that I can't use.

Thinking of putting them on the big windows at the farm.

[jim_hoyland]

I've done two things:

1. Took the visors to an expert upholsterer and had them recovered once...

2. Keep looking on evil-bay; came acroos a pair in mint condition for $50 and the seller lived less than two miles away...They pop up pretty regularly