911 Newbie With Some Dumb Questions

[LongDuckDong]

OK, I went and drove a 83' Cabriolet this morning and am pretty sure I am going to buy it if it passes the PPI. So now I have several of those annoying questions newbies always ask. So any help would be appreciated.

The drivers seat needs repaired/reupholstered. So I plan on just doing both front seats. Anyone give me a ballpark figure on how much it would cost to re-upholster the front seats?

Will a babyseat fit in the backseat of a 911 Cabriolet? It sure doesn't look like it will.

It has Fuchs on there now that are in good shape, but I really want to put some newer style 911 wheels on it. Like Cup's. What all does that entail, do I need spacers or what offset am I looking for. I'd like 16's, but 17's are ok I guess if they won't rub, the car has been lowered to European specs.

I am looking for a 3rd brakelight for it to mount on the rear lid. It has a whale tail, does that require a special brake light or will any 3rd brakelight work off of a 86-89 work?

I had a whole head full of questions on my drive back, but these are the only ones that are coming to me right now. I will add more as I think of them. Thanks for your input.

[strep]

I just dropped off my seats Dye the back seats. Re do the fronts in leather 1200.00 The guy I went to is probably on the pricey side but the work will be perfect.

No baby seat in the back. It won't fit without modifying it. Also I wouldn't put a baby back there ever. Just my 2 cents.

[vash]

i wish we would get a big "gong" sound, when we click on your thread. that is a great log on name!

[LongDuckDong]

The name came from the 80's movie 16 Candles

I figured the reupholstery would be pricey. I am looking at maybe having them recovered in vinyl or just buy some nice fitting seat covers. I am going to use the cost of reupholstering the seats as a negotiating tool.

[LakeCleElum]

LongDong: I paid $250 each for my Recaro Sport seats back in 1993. I'm sure that's probably double in today's dollars. Was a great shop in the Seattle area.....Bob S.

[vash]

Originally posted by LongDuckDong
The name came from the 80's movie 16 Candles

I figured the reupholstery would be pricey. I am looking at maybe having them recovered in vinyl or just buy some nice fitting seat covers. I am going to use the cost of reupholstering the seats as a negotiating tool.

i know! remember, a gong sounded everytime that dude showed up? funny stuff, altho it probably wont fly today. hahah

[Kurt B]

LOL. Longduckdong. Get the P-car or Grandpa's hyena will act up.

Reupholstering is expensive, but hopefully you can avoid it.
Get leather if you do though. When you sell, you're going to have to explain that you replaced the perfectly good passenger seat with vinyl too so they'd match.

You can get dye and some petroleum putty here
http://www.leatherrenew.com/

The dye is absolutely permanent. The putty dries hard and is great for fills and rips.

Also, keep the fuchs
Fuchs set it apart from the rest and they are considered to be one of, if not the best ever made. Nothing like fuchs. You can get them stripped and resurfaced and make it worth your while.

[dmarv]

No more yanky my wanky! Donger need food!! Sorry had to post this.

[rcwaldo]

Donger need food! That was and is a great, funny movie.

Back to topic. Since reupholstering is pricey, maybe best to replace the seats with something newer or better condition. Surf eBay and the P-car junkyards for seats.

For wheels, many have had them redone in colors or 'R' styles, which make a great improvement without having to buy more wheels/tires.

The important issue is the car itself, whic a thorough PPI will help you feel better about.

Have fun!
Chris

[charlesbahn]

Good used leather seats come up for auction often on EBAY. I guess people sell them after taking them out to put in racing seats. Mine wern't in bad condition, but I picked up a pair of perfect condition seats with motors and all for about 1K for the pair. Probably less than reupholstering.

[s2per]

"Dong, where is my aut-o-mo-bile?"
"Aut-o-mo-beel? Vvvrrrruum! Vrrrrrrrrmmm! EEEeeeee! Brrrcccrrrrresssshh! Lek. Big lek."
Funny, funny movie.

[vash]

ok, partsheaven has an abundance of SC seats. they wouldnt even take any credit on mine when i offered to buy a set of sports from them. the sports were selling for $650, so the regular SC ones are probably cheaper.

what ever happened to that red headed actress from 16 candles? something ringwald?

[LongDuckDong]

Molly Ringwald, total B actor now. I think she moved to France or something.

Where is partsheaven? I am in Sac area and plan on checking out Silverstar Recycling in Rancho next week.

[vash]

partsheaven is in hayward, bay area.

www.partsheaven.com. it is a great shop.

[ChrisM911SC]

If you're patient you can find great seats to replace the existing. I bought a pair of sport seats for my 80SC for $325.00 from a fellow Pelican. Just needed to be re-dyed which I did myself for $80.00.
Good luck

[randywebb]

16 Candles...

I hope you're aware that it's a total oxymoron -- ducks have no dongs at all. Birds have cloacas. It's about the only thing that mammals are superior at over birds - I'm speaking as a male mammal, of course.

[zefreds]

Depending on what stage is the baby you want to fit in there.
I bought a Cosco High Back booster seat at Target for $50, and fits nicely in the back seat of my 69T.
These are suitable for stage 2 (20-40lbs) and stage3 (30-80lbs).

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_21/601-2116347-5292949?%5Fencoding=UTF8&frombrowse=1&asin=B0002D1FLS

I disagree with the "no kids in the back"...I certainly don't do any spirited driving with my son in the back, but he and my wife enjoy very much going to see friends or to the park on week-ends in the 911.

[daka]

80's vintage 911's should have FUCHS, anything else just doesn't "look" right. Polish the lips, and be done with it. As far the seats, I find that I like sheepskins, they either save the good seats or cover the bad, but I like the way they feel and my back doesn't get sweaty. Just my opinion YMMV. sauzeige his own.
Daniel

[sammyg2]

Yoohoo! Sexy American Girlfriend!

What'sa happenin' hott-stuff?

[randywebb]

Somebody take away Sam's egg-nog until nightfall....