WTB: Interior carpet for 1973, black loop pile - NOS / Mint, Looking to purchase new or mint factory interior carpet for 73 Options

[Jett]

Hello, we are restoring our 73 2.0 to factory original and are looking for a NOS or Mint quality interior carpet set. The original carpet was black loop pile but would use charcoal if available. We would also take any individual pieces.

Any help would be greatly appreciate!

[Tom_T]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

You'll need to give folks a bit more info than that to find NOS carpet.

Try adding color & confirm that it was loop pile in your 73 2.0.
... Black, Charcoal, Brown, Tan/Beige & Dark Tan (oatmeal-ish mix of tan & brown) were all available selections when new.

AutoAtlanta has some NOS carpet bits and limited colors/types in NOS roll stock.

Other than that, some stray members may have some bits & pieces.

As an alternative - since NOS carpet sets/pieces today are like hens' teeth/unobtanium & are now 30-40 years old (so the edging at least is now brittle) - maybe consider a good repro set made up of the loop pile (or perlon if not loop in the Appearance Group for your 73 2L) from one of these places:

Lakewell.com (Belgium - probably best quality carpet from GER/EU sources)

Auto International in Fallbrook Ca

World Upholstery in Ojai/Ventura CA

& there's a third one up in the PNW whose name escapes me now, but they do advertise in Panorama & Excellence magazines (as do the other 2 USA guys).

PS - stick with the German or EU carpets, as the Domestic (USA) carpets are too shiny & don't wear as well.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[Jett]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

You'll need to give folks a bit more info than that to find NOS carpet.

Try adding color & confirm that it was loop pile in your 73 2.0.
... Black, Charcoal, Brown, Tan/Beige & Dark Tan (oatmeal-ish mix of tan & brown) were all available selections when new.

AutoAtlanta has some NOS carpet bits and limited colors/types in NOS roll stock.

Other than that, some stray members may have some bits & pieces.

As an alternative - since NOS carpet sets/pieces today are like hens' teeth/unobtanium & are now 30-40 years old (so the edging at least is now brittle) - maybe consider a good repro set made up of the loop pile (or perlon if not loop in the Appearance Group for your 73 2L) from one of these places:

Lakewell.com (Belgium - probably best quality carpet from GER/EU sources)

Auto International in Fallbrook Ca

World Upholstery in Ojai/Ventura CA

& there's a third one up in the PNW whose name escapes me now, but they do advertise in Panorama & Excellence magazines (as do the other 2 USA guys).

PS - stick with the German or EU carpets, as the Domestic (USA) carpets are too shiny & don't wear as well.

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////

Thanks for the advice but really want to keep the car all factory, but of course reality will dictate (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The original carpet was black loop pile but would convert to charcoal if available.

Ad updated

[Tom_T]

Thanks for the advice but really want to keep the car all factory, but of course reality will dictate (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The original carpet was black loop pile but would convert to charcoal if available.

Ad updated

Jett -

PS - 1 - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

PS - 2 -

If you guys have a numbers matching numbers 914 2.0 & are looking to keep it all as original for concours or resale value purposes, then you'll want to stick with the original paint & interior colors & fabrics (e.g.: basketweave vinyl or corduroy seat inserts) as it was sold new & from the factory.

By this time the carpet in there could've been changed from the charcoal/silver knit color to black by a PO.

Only way to know is to either have the window sticker &/or original dealer sales docs with it, or buy a COA from PCNA - which isn't cheap nor always correct, since their people doing them are careless & don't both to check the period correct factory ID numbers for the colors & parts.

As a member of PCA &/or with their Porsche Classics/PCNA ads in Panorama & Excellence magazines, you can get $10-20 off their $120+ price. You''e need to send them a pic of your 2.0L engine case number (starts with a GA####### & is located near the oil filler/breather tower on top front) in order to get them to both confirm matching numbers & list it as a 2.0L on your COA (you can send the transaxle # on the lower spline of the case too, but they most often did not record them at the factory on 914/4's).

If you're just doing a period correct resto for your own use as a driver &/or for local PCA etc. shows & concours for the Halibut, then just go with the Lakewell repro set in whichever COA &/or other docs says was on the car originally.

Very few car clubs local shows & events will judge on perfect exact originality - and really can't unless they have a 914 expert as a judge - and only AACA events seem to look at it at all, and then mostly for period correct - vs. - actual NOS or original parts on a resto car.

For PCA & the others - all original or survivor class/division cars generally have to be 10-25% all original stuff inside & out that actually came on the car - & not NOS replacements, except for wear items like tires, shocks, spark plugs, etc. So I think your restoration works puts you out of that arena anyway.

PCA doesn't judge originality - except at the national level at Parade, & sometimes as tie-breakers in the Zone-wide finals (unless your PNW Zone is different - down here in Zone 8 where I judge it never comes into it in the local Regions' [chapters] concours - unless somebody has done a major engine conversion or racer set-up, then they can go into our "Special Interest" division).

A top quality repro pile carpet will save you a chunk of change & the carpet material & binding will be fresh & pliable, vs. stiff 30-40 year old pile & plastic edge binding, heel pad, locking-peg holes, etc.

If you drive it much with NOS carpet, you will see some wear & damage sooner than later, just cuz the plastics in the pile & vinyl binding is older.

So either way, pick which fits your plans & keep those things above in mind.
...wear, cost, availability, ultimate purpose of the resto, etc. are your key factors.

PS - 3 -

9146986 with the NOS set above looks to be an outstanding NOS silverknit/charcoal set - if that is your 914's OE color! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

I wish I could find a full NOS set for my resto in the Dark Tan (#704 IIRC)! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////

[Jett]

Thanks Tom for the great information and direction. For the 2.0, it's important to me that the vehicle be reproduction free and as close to showroom condition as possible...without breaking the bank (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). As far as wear goes, that's ok as long as it's my wear and tear.

On the flip side my 1.7 is composed of many great reproduction parts (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Cheers

Thanks for the advice but really want to keep the car all factory, but of course reality will dictate (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The original carpet was black loop pile but would convert to charcoal if available.

Ad updated

Jett -

PS - 1 - (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

PS - 2 -

If you guys have a numbers matching numbers 914 2.0 & are looking to keep it all as original for concours or resale value purposes, then you'll want to stick with the original paint & interior colors & fabrics (e.g.: basketweave vinyl or corduroy seat inserts) as it was sold new & from the factory.

By this time the carpet in there could've been changed from the charcoal/silver knit color to black by a PO.

Only way to know is to either have the window sticker &/or original dealer sales docs with it, or buy a COA from PCNA - which isn't cheap nor always correct, since their people doing them are careless & don't both to check the period correct factory ID numbers for the colors & parts.

As a member of PCA &/or with their Porsche Classics/PCNA ads in Panorama & Excellence magazines, you can get $10-20 off their $120+ price. You''e need to send them a pic of your 2.0L engine case number (starts with a GA####### & is located near the oil filler/breather tower on top front) in order to get them to both confirm matching numbers & list it as a 2.0L on your COA (you can send the transaxle # on the lower spline of the case too, but they most often did not record them at the factory on 914/4's).

If you're just doing a period correct resto for your own use as a driver &/or for local PCA etc. shows & concours for the Halibut, then just go with the Lakewell repro set in whichever COA &/or other docs says was on the car originally.

Very few car clubs local shows & events will judge on perfect exact originality - and really can't unless they have a 914 expert as a judge - and only AACA events seem to look at it at all, and then mostly for period correct - vs. - actual NOS or original parts on a resto car.

For PCA & the others - all original or survivor class/division cars generally have to be 10-25% all original stuff inside & out that actually came on the car - & not NOS replacements, except for wear items like tires, shocks, spark plugs, etc. So I think your restoration works puts you out of that arena anyway.

PCA doesn't judge originality - except at the national level at Parade, & sometimes as tie-breakers in the Zone-wide finals (unless your PNW Zone is different - down here in Zone 8 where I judge it never comes into it in the local Regions' [chapters] concours - unless somebody has done a major engine conversion or racer set-up, then they can go into our "Special Interest" division).

A top quality repro pile carpet will save you a chunk of change & the carpet material & binding will be fresh & pliable, vs. stiff 30-40 year old pile & plastic edge binding, heel pad, locking-peg holes, etc.

If you drive it much with NOS carpet, you will see some wear & damage sooner than later, just cuz the plastics in the pile & vinyl binding is older.

So either way, pick which fits your plans & keep those things above in mind.
...wear, cost, availability, ultimate purpose of the resto, etc. are your key factors.

PS - 3 -

9146986 with the NOS set above looks to be an outstanding NOS silverknit/charcoal set - if that is your 914's OE color! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drooley.gif)

I wish I could find a full NOS set for my resto in the Dark Tan (#704 IIRC)! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
///////