Backdating the Interior

[ibmiked]

I'm relieved to say that I've found the most effective place to keep my money protected from bank failure; debt.

This works quite well provided I make it to the mailbox before the wife every day.

[ibmiked]

Mike - thanks for that - will try and pick the necessary bits up when I get a chance and have a go myself.

On the overdraft your on yer own mate!

BTW your british lingo is fine - I had to check where you were

Mark, if you need the steel pieces let me know, I only used them as templates to make my own. Because I wrapped the material around the steel, they need to be ever so slightly smaller, and I did not wish to cut the original pieces.

[sladey]

Thanks Mike

[ibmiked]

Another quick update for those of you following my interior backdate. After removing the console and replacing the carpets I have been driving around for the last several weeks with the orphaned hazard, rear window, a/c controls, and door lock hanging from below the dashboard without a home.

I had contemplated placing these switches in various locations throughout the dashboard, but difficulty and laziness got the best of me. Since for the most part I don't use these controls often, I think it's best to tuck them away so that they don't disturb the look of the backdated dash.

To that end, I purchased a neat piece of kit (there's that Brit lingo again) from my local electronics store. It is called a 'project enclosure' and is intended to house various circuit boards and other mad scientist projects. In my case, I thought it would make the easiest and nicest housing for my switch relocation.

The hazard and rear defroster switches are temporarily mocked up with some wood shims which will be replaced before final mounting. Also, the pictures revealed that one of the a/c control knobs needs to be raised slightly. All in all, I don't think it's a half bad solution for about $6 and a few hours time.

Love to hear any suggestions or thoughts.












There is still quite a bit of final fitting to be done with the dash pieces, so please excuse some of the gaps. This is a work in progress, and I don't want to tighten anything until it's all dialed in.








I may decide to move this further under the dash, but you should get the rough idea.





Cheers,

-Mike

[ibmiked]

I'm getting very close to completing this interior backdate. As you'll see, I only want for a set of new period-correct sport seats, and perhaps a new dash cover sans vents.

In order to properly mount the console switches and box, I purchased some aluminum stock pieces from a local hardware store and fabricated some bends and cuts. It may look rather complicated, but I assure you that it only took a few hours and the most basic hand tools. The result is a lightweight, rattle-free mount that looks quite at home (at least I think so).















Because I chose 1971 as the year to emulate for both the exterior and interior, I faced a dilemma with the shifter boot. The G50 transmission has a different configuration than the 901 or even 915. This necessitated me fabricating a new boot which combined the delicacy of the 901 with the base of the 915 to cover the opening. I found the easiest way to secure the new hybrid was to cut a round piece of sheet metal and punch a hole in it's middle. When I slid this down the shifter arm, i got a nice tight fit around the base that allowed me to slide the boot on and over the metal base.

In effect, the entire boot moves with the shifter, although it nicely covers the opening in the carpet required to allow the full range of motion to shift.



Those of you familiar with both boots will see the resemblance of each:



So finally, how did I fare? I'll let you decide.

Original interior:



Almost complete:



Another view:



Thoughts?

-Mike

[ibmiked]

As you can see in the last two pictures above, the RS door panels while very cool, fail to live up to the promise of the rest of the interior. Since this has bugged me for a while, I decided to do something about it. Keeping within the spirit of lightness, I've made some cosmetic changes to the panels so they are a bit more up to snuff.

Original:



Updated:



and in the car:



You may notice the square section in the forward half of the door. The material in there will be replaced with a soft fabric elastic map pocket.

Cheers,

-Mike

[Bootsy]

Looks superb Mike.

You may be interested to know that Appbiz are now making door pulls in leather (with a stitching colour of your choice) for the RS panels - I have some on the way to me. Would blend well with your interior and are much more durable.

[sladey]

Lovely job Mike.

I don't know if I'm talking at cross purposes with Bootsy here - I don't know if he means the red door pull can be replaced with a leather one of the same dimensions etc - if that's what he means then I'd suggest moving to the thin leather strap as used in the RS - stretches across the door and looks even more 'period'. If that's what you meant Bootsy then sorry to repeat the point.

I like the basket weave on the door cards - looks cool - esp with the chrom trim along the top

[Bootsy]

Lovely job Mike.

I don't know if I'm talking at cross purposes with Bootsy here - I don't know if he means the red door pull can be replaced with a leather one of the same dimensions etc - if that's what he means then I'd suggest moving to the thin leather strap as used in the RS - stretches across the door and looks even more 'period'. If that's what you meant Bootsy then sorry to repeat the point.

No, the new AppBiz one is a direct replacement but in leather.

[ibmiked]

Thanks Bootsy. I actually asked GTS seats to make me a set in red leather to match the sport seats they are currently making for me. I'll get pictures up as soon as they get here. I did buy the original RS door panels from Appbiz, as well as the RS carpet kit. They are great people to deal with.

Sladey, I thought about the pulls you mention, but read on other threads that sometimes a passenger will grab that as the inner door handle. This can cause bending in the arm for the door release inside the door.

Plus since I'm not building an RS rep, I felt that this would be a good compromise instead of trying to reproduce actual '71 door panels, handles, etc. Like I said, I thought there was too much of a contrast between the spartan door panels and the otherwise nice interior.

I've finished a few other trick ideas which I'll post pictures of soon.

Cheers.

[sladey]

Sladey, I thought about the pulls you mention, but read on other threads that sometimes a passenger will grab that as the inner door handle. This can cause bending in the arm for the door release inside the door.

Plus since I'm not building an RS rep, I felt that this would be a good compromise instead of trying to reproduce actual '71 door panels, handles, etc. Like I said, I thought there was too much of a contrast between the spartan door panels and the otherwise nice interior.

Cheers.

Fair comment - the leather versions of the existing ones would look cool too

[ibmiked]

Just a quick update. Although it was my first time (my wife was in the city all day) I decided to break out the 'ole sewing machine. Thankfully, only one seam is visible, and I took extra care with that one. The second door pocket came out even better, although I don't think this one is half bad.

I apologize for the photos, it's all or nothing with flash photography and differing shades of black. In natural light everything looks much more color-correct.

[Bootsy]

Top result, I think I'd end up stitching my fingers if I tried to use a sewing machine! How about the Gear Knob?

How about a 917 style adapted (Jamie on here had some made and is making another batch) or a 915 standard one adapted somehow?

[ibmiked]

Thanks Bootsy. That is a capital idea about the shift knob! Although the one in the car is a new addition by me, it doesn't have any true Porsche 'connection' other than the emblem varnished into the mahogany. I was hoping to find something else with more meaning. I can get the knob here in the states from TRE. Is there any way you can link me to Jamie or give me his user id?

BTW, I like your new look. I always kind of wonder what will have changed on your car every time I log onto this board.

And why else go to all this trouble with door pockets? To carry around my favorite Porsche publication of course.



Cheers!

-Mike

[Bootsy]

Is there any way you can link me to Jamie or give me his user id?

http://www.ddk-online.com/phpBB2/viewto ... light=wood