Rubber trim for 68 911

droplink · Post by **droplink** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 11:40 am

I'm getting to the seriously expensive part of restoring my 1968 911 (see YouTube channel petermorgan911)!
Has anybody experience of a company called International Mercantile in California? I'm looking to buy all the rubber trim for the car as a single batch and they seem to make it.
Porsche do a lot of it of course, but I'm trying to avoid breaking the bank. Taking into account import duty and VAT, the US prices seem to save about 20 per cent on price without taking shipping into account.
Am I wasting my time looking at importing this? Is there a reliable and sensibly priced UK source? I think Forest Fine used to do all this, but they don't seem to be trading any longer.
Sourcing at sensible value seems to be the biggest hurdle for anybody restoring an early car, which sounds very obvious as I write it.
Any help most appreciated! Peter

Jonny Hart · Post by **Jonny Hart** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 10:48 am

I guess it depends how original you want to be. There are lots of companies that can match rubber extrusions, grommets and seals at a fraction of the cost of genuine parts. Clearly, this isn't going to work for heavily shaped window seals, but you may find that for other less prominent trim it is acceptable.

I think I used this lot before:

http://www.classiccar-trim.com/

Nick Moss · Post by **Nick Moss** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:17 am

Roger Bray Restorationsdo all the rubbers you need

droplink · Post by **droplink** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 11:23 am

Thanks!
Peter

visualfx · Post by **visualfx** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:15 am

Hi Peter,

I've watched all your restoration clips on You tube!

The engine rebuild clips are my fav's

Keep e'm coming......

Prattie · Post by **Prattie** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 8:45 am

I have to say that |I really hav'nt found the local porsche suppier too expensive when it comes to Rubber and it all fits well, seems a different quality to after market items.

Anyhow I would always give tham a call as well, as any other supplier.

After a while you will get discounts granted if your a regular which then does make them competitive.

Steve

barryb · Post by **barryb** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:25 pm

Hi

Have you tried Zim's Autotechnik, www.allzim.com.

they do basic kits at a reasonable price, they are helpful and don't charge much for delivery.

Barry

droplink · Post by **droplink** » Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:41 am

Thanks for the replies. I'm also checking out the local official dealer, using the part numbers on the excellent Porsche Classic web pages. I expect them to be the most expensive, but accurate.
I'm always a little nervous about replica parts my experience is that some just plain don't fit.
I'll come back when I've been able to compare the prices/products.

droplink · Post by **droplink** » Thu Sep 02, 2010 4:07 pm

I bought most of the rubber trim I need to do a panel fit on my 68 911 from Roger Bray (thanks for the tip, Nick) and it arrived the day after I had placed the order!
Amazing service and a lot of useful advice, which is always something small business often neglects but is so easy to provide.