914 RS America Door Panel sets, Need your input

appbiz · 12-19-2007, 04:06 PM

Bob at APPBIZ here

Really would like some feedback from you guys on our newest product.

We have been the leading vendor of 911/930 door panels for years. We have been asked by many 914 owners to develop more 914 products. After nearly a year we finally have 914 door panels in production. We had a big battle forming the top piece and finally decided we would do it in metal like the factory did on some cars. We think the results are spectacular.

Pictured below is our 914 RS America Plus panel. It features a 911 RS America Handle with OEM Bezels and a 916 style accordion pocket. Pictures of our other 914 panel sets will be added to this post as we upholster them. This model was the most complex so we figured we would tackle it first.

We have just begun production and will have several versions of 914 / 916 panels available very soon. Our host should have then in the online catalog by the 1st of the year.

Again I would really appreciate your comments on these. We really value the opinions of our fellow Pelicanites and with your help we can make this a terrific product.

Bob
bob@appbiz.com

poorsha · 12-19-2007, 04:34 PM

Hi Bob, I think they look great but we are all (mostly) 911 folks here.
Don't know how much response you will get here.
Did you post it over on the 914 board?

appbiz · 12-19-2007, 04:54 PM

Yes, I put it on the 914 board, but really value opinions of the this board participants, Really hoping for feedback.
Bob

the · 12-19-2007, 05:10 PM

Those look good. Exact replicas of the 916 panels would be really cool, too. I don't think that's ever been done.

But they better be inexpensive! The 914 fellas are, as a group, notoriously cheap, errr, I mean thrifty!

petrolblue83911 · 12-19-2007, 05:57 PM

Bob,

They look great- I like the pocket vs the stock card board holder arm-rest as on stock. One suggestion would be to do the rs style door pull a little narrower?

-Adam

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Bob,

I'd offer it with or w/o the map pocket - some people don't like that fringed look.

Also, the top looks a little lumpy -- is it just light reflections??

appbiz · 12-19-2007, 06:47 PM

We wll definately be offering them without pockets. Should be posting pics of those tomarrow. The lumpiness is a combination of lighting, shiny material and the fact that it was our first effort covering these. Production sets should look fine. You should have seen our first set of RS panels.
Bob

Britain Smith · 12-20-2007, 08:47 AM

You should go over on http://www.914club.com and post this there.

-Britain

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Those look really great.

As with anything associated with 914s, cost will be of critical importance. As a bit of a generalization, it seems that a lot of guys are attracted to 914s because they're reasonably inexpensive compared to 911s and consequently pricing is important. I think if they're spendy, you'll encounter resistance because I don't generally see people pouring a lot of $$$ into 914s. Some, sure. But you have to price to match your target market.

The quality looks great though - beautiful.

appbiz · 12-20-2007, 09:16 AM

Here is a pic of the standard 914 panel in black Vinyl without armrest hardware installed.

Bob
bob@appbiz.com
310-539-6183

petrolblue83911 · 12-20-2007, 09:53 AM

i disagree with the sentament that 914 owners are particularally cheap. Maybe back when they were new in the 70's -IE they weren't cared for maybe on the whole as well as 911's, but today, no, most 914 owners are pretty fanatic and are looking to improve and protect the good ones that are left.

why do we still have this 911 bias.....pointless.

Bob, I for one have no problem with you posting this here. Glad to help.

-Adam

Britain Smith · 12-20-2007, 10:03 AM

As for a cost comparison between 914 and 911's, I think the majority of the differences are in the engine. As a 914 owner and a 911/912 owner, the costs for everything except the drivetrain are equivalent. The area I start to save money on is the 4-cyl engine. Both are equally as fun, even though the 914 is quicker around the corners (low blow I know).

-Britain

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

nice going (again), Bob

some door pockets for the early 911s next?

gtc · gtc's Garage

I really like the clean look of the panel in the second picture. If it had a handle, mounted further back and possibly level, I think it would be perfect.
I've always wondered, do the handles on RSA door panels mount to the metal beneath the panel? I've been thinking it might be nice to move the handles rearward to reduce the effort required to pull the door closed.