I need carpet Options

[johnpierre]

Hey everyone

It is time to dedicate some attention to my, well, you already know don't you. I am looking to replace the original (yes original) carpet. I have been looking on Ebay and can't really tell what the quality is like of the kits that are available. I found one for 75.00 but the seller gave it a 5 out of 10.

There is a supplier in OC califormia that I have spoken to that restores everything porsche and they have the original wool loop kit in original colors but that kit was over 500.00

Does anyone have a recommendation? I want to spend about 150.00 for a charcoal grey or black kit that will fit properly and look not like a crappy after market product until I can afford the real deal.

Any thoughts?

thx -jp-

ps I have a 73 1.7 fuel injected model

[johnpierre]

BTW

I just ordered a new red handle for the heater lever and have new PRESS red stickers that I purchased from a member to replace the faded ones on the seat belt clicky things.

next on my list is a new wood steering wheel from Nardi and then a new dash.

after which the seats, door panels, and back pad by summer...

then next year suspension and engine redo... goto get this baby in shape....


-jp-

[Tom_T]

BTW

I just ordered a new red handle for the heater lever and have new PRESS red stickers that I purchased from a member to replace the faded ones on the seat belt clicky things.

next on my list is a new wood steering wheel from Nardi and then a new dash.

after which the seats, door panels, and back bad by summer...

then next year suspension and engine redo... goto get this baby in shape....


-jp-

jp -

Stoddards sells a new 914 dash repro which is excellent for about $800.

Unless you really drool for a wood steering wheel, you might consider having Dallas Steering Wheel (DSW) or the guy who comes to the Porsche Swap Meet at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim in March do a leather recovering - with the extra layer of felt padding under it if you prefer a softer grip &/or thinker rim - on either your current aftermarket 3-spoke or another OE 4-spoke wheel with butterfly horn pad or puck). [I prefer the grip & feel of leather myself]

Autos International in Escondido or World Upholstery in Ventura & Lakewell.com in Belgium all sell 914 upholstery kits in the smooth beige/tan leatherette (only Lakewell has the tan basketweave) - but not sure which also does the corduroy inserts like yours. I suggest get them all to send you samples now, so you can choose which you prefer.

If you're not confident in doing your own reupholstery, then AI & WU does top quality interiors, but a local upholstery shop which does classic sports cars & rods can probably do them for you too, if you want to just order the bulk fabric or kits. Not sure who is near you in Culver City, but I know a couple of shops in HB that I'd trust with interior work. If you need new foam, then AI or WU may be easier, but their prices are way up there too.

I had my OE Recaro front seats in my 85 BMW 325e 2dr coupe redone in in smooth & perforated/patterned-insert Perl Biege vinyl in 2014 by one of the HB shops & it was about $1200 including redoing the leather steering wheel & rebuilding the operable seats/backs/seat-shocks (it has a back seat, unlike a 914 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) ). It's seats are more complex, required custom stamping of the detail in the inserts, & probably had more material - than a 914 seat

So the price may be less for your 914 & they may have a match for the vinyl & corduroy at such local shops too, bit then you have to add in more for the backpad, center cushion & door panels to get it to match. AFAIK Lakwewell is the only one that still has the 914 Beige in the 70-74 (excl 71) Basketweave for all door & some seat inserts, so I bought both smooth & basketweave yardage from them so that both would match, sufficient to do it all by a local shop or AI at some point (email them for yards needed).

Suspension - IMHO Koni Reds or Bilstein R shocks & F strut inserts, & the poly street bushings all around - unless you plan to race or AX with it, cuz their race bushings are harder & rough riding on the street for DD/pleasure use. Ditto if you need springs or torsion bars - stick with stock lbs. (0 lbs for a 73 1.& IIRC & definitely for a 2L) - unless you're racing/AXing - then you'll ride rougher on street use.

The better idea to improve handling on a 1.7 without the anti-sway bars is to add a used set of the OE ones or new Elephant sway bar kits F & R. If you do tie-rodss, then stick with either the stock or Trubo-tie-rod upgrade from Lemforder only - don't waste you money on the knock offs - they're built cheap too! Don't forget fresh wheel bearings (SWF or other German OEMs only) + brake lines & Porterfield R4S brake pads from PMB.

Engine - Do a bunch of research first on what you want out of the rebuild, & check out the 1911cc upbuilds, & what places like FAT Performance here in Orange does with Type IV motors. I don't know how much Raby has on his website, nor if someone like McMark at Original Customs can build a 2056 from your 1.7 - soo check around alot. A tried & true set-up is better than guessing at what might work, so poll others with 1.7s on here too.

I know other VW & 914 folks who like Der Buggy in Garden Grove, but AASE in Fullerton & Bill Brewster's shop in So. OC are top aircooled Porsche shops. Others may recco some up in LA closer to you, & OTTOs in Venice used to be good, but he passed away & I don't know how good the new guys are. I'd recco my 914 guy of 40+ years Hans, but he won't take any new customers with aircooled cars - only us old customers that still have them.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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