98101
Feb 5 2018, 06:59 PM
Well, this sucks. "Secure parking" isn't. Welcome to Seattle. Turning the key does nothing -- I hope it's just the battery but I suspect he cut some wires I needed.
On the other hand, I still have a lot of gauges left.
Click to view attachmentClick to view attachment
billh1963
Feb 5 2018, 07:03 PM
Damn! What was the thief after? A stereo?
effutuo101
Feb 5 2018, 07:05 PM
Crap! That sucks! Hope you can get a new one and the gauges back in.
Coondog
Feb 5 2018, 07:06 PM
So sorry, just got ripped off myself a couple weeks ago in San Fran.
Justinp71
Feb 5 2018, 07:07 PM
That sucks. I had a similar thing happen to my chevelle, they broke apart the dash for a $50 radio.
Mikey914
Feb 5 2018, 07:25 PM
If you don't mind me asking which lot were you at. I parked there all the time. Just not in my 914. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out drop me a p.m. with your address I'd be happy to send you a maintenance manual might help you sort it out.
914werke
Feb 5 2018, 07:26 PM
Bummer - was it an Amco console?
Parking garage?
Cameras?
98101
Feb 5 2018, 07:56 PM
QUOTE(billh1963 @ Feb 5 2018, 05:03 PM)
Damn! What was the thief after? A stereo?
I guess so. Maybe the fire extinguisher, though it wasn't necessary to wreck the interior to get that.
QUOTE(Mikey914 @ Feb 5 2018, 05:25 PM)
If you don't mind me asking which lot were you at. I parked there all the time. Just not in my 914. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out drop me a p.m. with your address I'd be happy to send you a maintenance manual might help you sort it out.
Thanks Mikey. It was a "secure" condo parking garage in the University District. Avoid the University District at all costs.
QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 5 2018, 05:26 PM)
Bummer - was it an Amco console?
Parking garage?
Cameras?
As far as I can tell, a previous owner custom made this. It used to hold the heater / ventilation controls you see dangling, a circuit breaker button, a stereo, a voltage meter, and an ammeter. I don't especially need those gauges, but now what am I going to do with my heater / vent controls?
iankarr
Feb 5 2018, 08:19 PM
So sorry to see this. Total bummer.
914werke
Feb 5 2018, 08:30 PM
Well I can offer my assistance if it drives?
Come visit me. Perhaps we can figure out a solution.
It may require going back to a stock dash & relocating your gauges.
Fortunately Ive got all this stuff in spades
98101
Feb 5 2018, 09:14 PM
I guessed that the thicker wire wrapped in white fabric (asbestos?) was the one that used to go to the circuit breaker. I was able to turn the car on and start it by connecting the outgoing one to the incoming one. I guess I could solder that and have it work well enough to get to a mechanic.
I'm curious about the brown wire with the white or yellow stripe.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachment
PanelBilly
Feb 5 2018, 09:24 PM
This sucks. People who do this kind of crap just don’t have any idea what they’re doing to their victims. I often say we should just give away drugs so they don’t have to steal to buy them.
98101
Feb 5 2018, 09:25 PM
QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 5 2018, 06:30 PM)
Well I can offer my assistance if it drives?
Come visit me. Perhaps we can figure out a solution.
It may require going back to a stock dash & relocating your gauges.
Fortunately Ive got all this stuff in spades
Yes, I may need your help then. I already have an appointment with Chris's German Auto next week, originally for other stuff, but now for this mess I guess.
bigkensteele
Feb 5 2018, 09:36 PM
QUOTE(PanelBilly @ Feb 5 2018, 07:24 PM)
This sucks. People who do this kind of crap just don’t have any idea what they’re doing to their victims. I often say we should just give away drugs so they don’t have to steal to buy them.
I lived in Holland in the late '90s and car stereo theft was the most rampant crime. You will see the same pattern wherever "loose" drug laws exists. It invites all levels of crime but the most common is petty theft. In this case, not so petty.
Chris914n6
Feb 5 2018, 11:55 PM
That sucks.
I'd check local dumpsters for the rest of the console. Might get lucky and not have to make a new one.
Mikey914
Feb 6 2018, 01:42 AM
Good news is they weren’t smart enough to steal the car. That would be far worse.
98101
Feb 6 2018, 02:45 AM
If I did want to replace the custom console, who would you recommend to make something like that?
Or any other ideas on how to support just the heat/vent controls without changing the existing dash? No heat exchangers at the moment, but someday I'll want Tangerine's exhaust that can provide heat.
TX914
Feb 6 2018, 07:12 AM
QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 5 2018, 08:30 PM)
Well I can offer my assistance if it drives?
Come visit me. Perhaps we can figure out a solution.
It may require going back to a stock dash & relocating your gauges.
Fortunately Ive got all this stuff in spades
VFR750?! 98101, Hope you can get that fixed up quick.
98101
Feb 6 2018, 11:51 AM
After sleeping on it, I'm wondering whether it would make sense to find a stock console and modify the front to hold the vent/heater controls, if they'd fit. I didn't find one on 914 Rubber, but I did find one on Pelican:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/9145...uBoCJx4QAvD_BwE
ValcoOscar
Feb 6 2018, 12:00 PM
Michael-
Sad to hear.
I'm is SoCal so unfortunately I can't be of much from down here but there are many experienced teeners up your way so plan a party and get her fixed...sorry for your troubles and please keep us posted.
God bless!!!
Oscar
Lucky9146
Feb 6 2018, 12:16 PM
Infuriating to see things like this. Sorry to see you are having to deal with the results of such thoughtless people. Agree with Mikey that thank God they didn't steel the car. Had that happen once and that sucked too (not a 914).
Can you post a picture of the custom console if you have it so we can see?
Hope you get it fixed up better than it was!
Dr Evil
Feb 6 2018, 12:46 PM
Damn dude, you have some luck. Sorry to see this. Do you have a pic of the custom dash? I bet a number of people here could fab something up.
SirAndy
Feb 6 2018, 01:04 PM
QUOTE(Dr Evil @ Feb 6 2018, 10:46 AM)
Do you have a pic of the custom dash? I bet a number of people here could fab something up.
Any pictures of what it used to look like?
Mikey914
Feb 6 2018, 01:33 PM
QUOTE(98101 @ Feb 6 2018, 09:51 AM)
After sleeping on it, I'm wondering whether it would make sense to find a stock console and modify the front to hold the vent/heater controls, if they'd fit. I didn't find one on 914 Rubber, but I did find one on Pelican:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/9145...uBoCJx4QAvD_BwEI do have them. But looks like an Amco version. You may be able to find one try the classifieds.
Here's what mine look like and I offer options on the gage hole size, I'd be happy to do a custom layout id you have more than the 3 gages.
http://shop.914rubber.com/914APC-914APC.htm
914werke
Feb 6 2018, 02:26 PM
QUOTE(98101 @ Feb 6 2018, 09:51 AM)
After sleeping on it, I'm wondering whether it would make sense to find a stock console and modify the front to hold the vent/heater controls, if they'd fit.
Not sure they'ed fit. Seems like it would be easier to simply put the controls back in the dash & relocate your gauges to the Stock/type console ?
98101
Feb 6 2018, 04:19 PM
QUOTE(SirAndy @ Feb 6 2018, 11:04 AM)
QUOTE(Dr Evil @ Feb 6 2018, 10:46 AM)
Do you have a pic of the custom dash? I bet a number of people here could fab something up.
Any pictures of what it used to look like?
I found some from the previous owner.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachment
98101
Feb 6 2018, 04:28 PM
QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 6 2018, 12:26 PM)
Not sure they'ed fit. Seems like it would be easier to simply put the controls back in the dash & relocate your gauges to the Stock/type console ?
You might be right.
The dash already had some flaws, the dashtop was already cracked, and the glovebox door already didn't open without lots of fiddling. Fixing up the interior was last on my list before. I wonder if there's any point in getting it perfect before I move to a better neighborhood.
914werke
Feb 6 2018, 04:41 PM
Yup. That looks like what started out to be a AMCO center console but then was altered by the PO for the unique Extinguisher mount.
GeorgeRud
Feb 6 2018, 05:16 PM
I’d get the console that Mikey914 carries, move the radio and heater back to the original location, and mount the extinguisher sideways in front of the passenger seat. You can mount extra gauges up by the ashtray or along the A pillar if desired.
Click to view attachment
Mikey914
Feb 6 2018, 05:57 PM
I got the dash metal that you would need to relocate everything to the original positions.
98101
Feb 6 2018, 10:02 PM
Someone who's done this before: If I restore the dashboard, is this a logical time to do the dash top also? This was way toward the bottom of my to-do list before.
914werke
Feb 7 2018, 11:54 AM
Unknown whats going on with the dash frame until you remove the gauges.
If I were to guess it looks like the PO may have cut the face to allow fitment of the gauges but I could be wrong.
If so yes. you may be looking at removal & replacement of a dash frame which would makes sense to replace a cracked dash top prior to reinstall.
98101
Feb 7 2018, 12:38 PM
QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 7 2018, 09:54 AM)
Unknown whats going on with the dash frame until you remove the gauges.
If I were to guess it looks like the PO may have cut the face to allow fitment of the gauges but I could be wrong.
If so yes. you may be looking at removal & replacement of a dash frame which would makes sense to replace a cracked dash top prior to reinstall.
After another restless night, I'm leaning toward moving in a stock direction: putting the vent/heater controls back in the dash, using a stock repro console. Gauges or blank plate where the radio would have been. I don't see any way to do this without new dash metal... which suggests also replacing the cracked dash top... (and removing the windshield?)
On my list before the interior was installing a stainless steel fuel line, cuz who knows what shape that 1970 stuff is in now? I'm guessing this would be easier with tunnel access? I saw two videos about this, and one of them involved cutting up the interior again.
I'm undecided about the vinyl basketweave. I never liked so much plastic in the car. The classic dashboards I *really* like on convertibles have metal matching the exterior of the car. I've never seen this on a 914 though.
jcambo7
Feb 7 2018, 04:20 PM
QUOTE(98101 @ Feb 7 2018, 01:38 PM)
QUOTE(rdauenhauer @ Feb 7 2018, 09:54 AM)
Unknown whats going on with the dash frame until you remove the gauges.
If I were to guess it looks like the PO may have cut the face to allow fitment of the gauges but I could be wrong.
If so yes. you may be looking at removal & replacement of a dash frame which would makes sense to replace a cracked dash top prior to reinstall.
After another restless night, I'm leaning toward moving in a stock direction: putting the vent/heater controls back in the dash, using a stock repro console. Gauges or blank plate where the radio would have been. I don't see any way to do this without new dash metal... which suggests also replacing the cracked dash top... (and removing the windshield?)
On my list before the interior was installing a stainless steel fuel line, cuz who knows what shape that 1970 stuff is in now? I'm guessing this would be easier with tunnel access? I saw two videos about this, and one of them involved cutting up the interior again.
I'm undecided about the vinyl basketweave. I never liked so much plastic in the car. The classic dashboards I *really* like on convertibles have metal matching the exterior of the car. I've never seen this on a 914 though.
The stainless steel lines shouldn't require major tearing of the interior for install. They're rather simple to do. Hardest part is getting them through the tunnels without catching anything and then installing the grommets on the front part of the tunnel.
98101
Feb 7 2018, 04:24 PM
QUOTE(GeorgeRud @ Feb 6 2018, 03:16 PM)
I’d get the console that Mikey914 carries, move the radio and heater back to the original location, and mount the extinguisher sideways in front of the passenger seat. You can mount extra gauges up by the ashtray or along the A pillar if desired.
Click to view attachmentGeorge, I especially like your period radio.
I'm curious how you got the gauges into the ashtray space. Currently I stick my iPhone into my ashtray when I need Google Maps, or to look at the 123\Tune app. Probably a better solution for this....
Chris914n6
Feb 7 2018, 06:52 PM
QUOTE(98101 @ Feb 7 2018, 02:24 PM)
QUOTE(GeorgeRud @ Feb 6 2018, 03:16 PM)
I’d get the console that Mikey914 carries, move the radio and heater back to the original location, and mount the extinguisher sideways in front of the passenger seat. You can mount extra gauges up by the ashtray or along the A pillar if desired.
George, I especially like your period radio.
I'm curious how you got the gauges into the ashtray space. Currently I stick my iPhone into my ashtray when I need Google Maps, or to look at the 123\Tune app. Probably a better solution for this....
There is a member that makes a phone mount that replaces the ashtray. In the Vendors forum I think, and there was a GB a year ago or so.
There are retro style but modern (bluetooth) radios available too.
You can also order the stock center console without the 3 gauge holes so you can drill it for more or less gauges.
98101
Feb 8 2018, 12:34 AM
I just had another idea... tell me if this is crazy or practical. Could I mount the vent/heater controls vertically in a stock (repro) center console? Then I could postpone the rest of the interior restoration until my kids are older and I've got more time. I'm guessing that the cables would have to be longer. The controls weren't sliding that well even before this, so not sure if they have to be at a certain length or angle.
Mikey914
Feb 8 2018, 01:08 AM
The AP style consul is narrower that the AMCO. Personally relocating the gaged into a cluster may be easier and a better "more stock" layout. The stock stereo you have You may want to put somewhere safe. It's probably more valuable than the one they stole.
Here's the metal I would provide for the dash. It should be pretty easy to swap out.
Sorry the picture is crappy, but we include the vinyl too.
http://shop.914rubber.com/Basketweave-or-b...m?categoryId=-1We can do OEM radio hole, DIN style, or delete for the radio area.
98101
Feb 8 2018, 04:19 AM
QUOTE(Mikey914 @ Feb 7 2018, 11:08 PM)
The AP style consul is narrower that the AMCO. Personally relocating the gaged into a cluster may be easier and a better "more stock" layout. The stock stereo you have You may want to put somewhere safe. It's probably more valuable than the one they stole.
Here's the metal I would provide for the dash. It should be pretty easy to swap out.
Sorry the picture is crappy, but we include the vinyl too.
http://shop.914rubber.com/Basketweave-or-b...m?categoryId=-1To be more clear, I was proposing rotating the vent/heater controls 90º in the narrow console. Has anyone ever done that? I think it would fit that way, but not sure the cables would work properly. But it's probably a dumb idea.
Tonight I got an idea I'm actually excited about. On the FS/WTB forum someone suggested a center "deposit box" that was only on the early cars like mine (it's a 1970). I love the idea of the extra storage because it would increase the probability my wife would actually ride in the car with me instead of complaining about the attention I put into it. I also like the fact that it wasn't in the later cars.
Click to view attachment I'm guessing someone could add a strip across the top for a 2-3 gauges. Those gauges could move down (or up into the ashtray space if I can figure out what GeorgeRud did), and the heater controls could move back to the stock location.
QUOTE(Mikey914 @ Feb 7 2018, 11:08 PM)
We can do OEM radio hole, DIN style, or delete for the radio area.
With this approach I guess I'd delete the radio area and use it for the gauges I've got left.
I love the look of the OEM radio but I don't have one.
Mikey914
Feb 8 2018, 05:59 AM
What you are looking at will take up the same width from leg room standpoint. It is shorter in that it will not come back as far, but would be the same either way. Both of these will offer more leg room than the AMCO one.
Mikey914
Feb 8 2018, 06:04 AM
DP
majkos1
Feb 8 2018, 07:27 AM
Hey Guys,
One reason I love the Amco console is because room for the foot!
stock consoles, nope, both Deposit and stock consoles.
I got the PM.
I'm going to take some pics to update my collections.
majkos1
Feb 8 2018, 10:37 AM
Click to view attachment wish I could size em down the pics
Here's four of em!
the wood grain one came out of my track car.
being dismantle due to rust.
98101
Feb 8 2018, 10:59 AM
QUOTE(majkos1 @ Feb 8 2018, 08:37 AM)
wish I could size em down the pics
Here's four of em!
the wood grain one came out of my track car.
being dismantle due to rust.
Um, I think we'd all like to see sharper photos. I've never seen one of these in person. Using the flash might reduce the backlighting and help the phone/camera focus.
I'm glad I managed to reach you. You still have the 914 car-be-que?
majkos1
Feb 8 2018, 11:06 AM
I'm so terrible with camera,
there was drywall dust on len,
Let's try this.
And yes , still have Kar-B-Q.
Click to view attachment
majkos1
Feb 8 2018, 11:19 AM
Click to view attachment wish I could downsize the pics
Here's the Kar-B-Q.
Click to view attachment
7TPorsh
Feb 8 2018, 01:09 PM
QUOTE(majkos1 @ Feb 8 2018, 09:06 AM)
I'm so terrible with camera,
there was drywall dust on len,
Let's try this.
And yes , still have Kar-B-Q.
Click to view attachmentSomebody should turn one of these into a gaming seat!
majkos1
Feb 8 2018, 02:21 PM
QUOTE(majkos1 @ Feb 8 2018, 12:19 PM)
Click to view attachment wish I could downsize the pics
Here's the Kar-B-Q.
Click to view attachment
98101
Feb 9 2018, 02:32 AM
QUOTE(98101 @ Feb 8 2018, 02:19 AM)
Tonight I got an idea I'm actually excited about. On the FS/WTB forum someone suggested a center "deposit box" that was only on the early cars like mine (it's a 1970). I love the idea of the extra storage because it would increase the probability my wife would actually ride in the car with me instead of complaining about the attention I put into it. I also like the fact that it wasn't in the later cars.
Click to view attachment I'm guessing someone could add a strip across the top for a 2-3 gauges. Those gauges could move down (or up into the ashtray space if I can figure out what GeorgeRud did), and the heater controls could move back to the stock location.
UPDATE: After careful consideration, I've agreed to buy one of these deposit boxes from a local guy on this forum. I'm still intrigued with the AMCO center, and hope to put one in a later model 914/batmobile someday.
Assuming all goes as planned, I'll order new dash metal from 914Rubber with a blank for the radio.
Regarding the finish: My seats, backpad, and doors are all fabric -- no basketweave anywhere. Previous owner used untextured vinyl which looked a bit shoddy even before this incident. Glovebox door wasn't opening properly even before this incident. I'll go with basketweave for the dash unless anyone has a more appealing idea consistent with a late 60's/1970 look.
Regarding the dashtop: do it now without taking out the windshield? The R&R videos I've seen use the side vents which aren't found on a 1970.
98101
Feb 11 2018, 08:14 PM
Bought this cheap from a local guy (thanks Doug!). When I brought it home my wife suggested spraying it with Febrese, so it's a little moist in the photo.
The carpet is a different weave than what's in my 914, and you can see the vinyl shows its age. Maybe a furniture place could reupholster it? Or just use it as is for now?
In any case, I'll want to add a plate across the top for gauges. Maybe a 12V socket since my car came without a cigarette lighter hole.
Click to view attachment Click to view attachment
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