finishing my car - the interior

mjshira · 10:08 AM

many of you will have followed the saga of the trade and 3.6 swap that Tyson Schmidt and I did last year (ok so maybe he did do all the important aspects but I did participate and do a little driving...)

One of the things I promised myself was that when I got my own garage I'd go after the interior.

Having just moved (please excuse the mess in the garage) I now have the garage I always wanted for my two babies. The wife loves to remind me that this is the only part of the house which is mine. However, we have an understanding, the new puppie is the proxy for a child for the near future - after all I have way too many cool things to do to these two rides!

anyway back to the interior...

now, those of you who know this car may recall that she has (had) a late 80's dash and facia in it. I have plans to replace that set up with something much more representative of the era of the car

As you can see I have removed the glass and dash. Please pardon the wires, they are from the stereo which used to be in the car. I ran a decent audio system for the 5k miles I drove her last year between here and LA.

the main challenge of this project is the dash end caps. They have been converted to the late 80's vent style. The venting aspect is great. Especially on those long trips.

here is a close up of the vent hole.

What I'd like to do is keep the venting system while returning the dash look to one as close as that of the era as I can. I know from this board and also some of the auto shows on the TV these days that there are many cool things that can be done with CNC machines and other tools.

So what I'd like to hear from you guys are ideas about how to accomplish this goal. Here are the parts I have now:

early dash (NOS)
early kneeboards (NOS)
early dash facia
early dash knobs
early dash heater controls
early steering wheel (not sure I will run it)

I need to get seats (planning to sell the RS America seats I have)

Let me here from you!

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

No kiddin, Honda makes one hell of a lawn mower. I would probably park it behind the other car though...

Nice work,

Gordo

mjshira · 03-06-2006, 03:35 AM

thanks Gordo.

any ideas on this interior?

Tyson Schmidt · 03-06-2006, 12:16 PM

James I think you could cut up the early chrome horn grilles and use the slats to replace the ones on the black plastic vents. It'd be work, but would look cool.

The knee bolsters from an early car won't fit with those ventsw though.

You may be able to go totally retro by cutting the ends to facilitate fitting the old style knee bolsters, since they would cover the parts you cut.

mjshira · 03-06-2006, 12:25 PM

ok man, I will give some thought to that. I really want to make it as "early" style as I can. I was thinking I could get something and make a template for some cool looking cnc'd vents. then chrome those to match the rest...

mjshira · 03-06-2006, 12:27 PM

oh and lossing the radio, the 964 decklid and the heavy seats should save me near to 60-70lbs!

lateapex911 · 03-06-2006, 03:41 PM

So, what are you leaning to for seats?? I'd like to find soemthing super light, high quality, good on the track and somewhat period OK for my own car.

Cool car on the laft..E46 M3?

mjshira · 03-06-2006, 04:11 PM

hey Jake, good to hear from you. I am thinking recaro sportline in black leather. I don't want to go old school as I want the comfort and I saftey of a modern seat. what do you think?

The car on the right is an E39 M5. Great car, I love it. She is my daily driver.

What I am most curious about is what do to with those vents... I need to make em as retro as I can if I keep them.

lateapex911 · 03-06-2006, 04:26 PM

M5!!! Oooooo...the gentlemans express. Suwheeet!

I'm with you on the seats...my own car is a '73, and i will try to sneak a few track days in between teh SCCA races, so I want a good safe supportive seat.. but in leather they shouldn't stand out and look too weird in the early car. Recaro makes a great product.

How about looking to other period cars for vent inspiration, like BMW?? The German cars from the era had a certain "look".

How's life in the 'middle' treating you? Looks like you have a big garage so it can't be all bad,

.

mjshira · 03-06-2006, 04:38 PM

thanks. I agree with the Recaro point.

life is good here, a bit of a shock in terms of change but we're making the best of it. I want to get this car done so I can get to the track!!

I will check the BMW's of the period. I think I need to get into contact with a vendor who can make something custom for me.

keep in touch!