Leather hood straps on a 911? YES or NO?

[tb912]

I'm thinking of using leather hood straps on my 68' and I don't know if I want to commit!
I love the look on 356's and I usually like it on the seldom occasion that I see them on a 911/912. But I just can't make up my mind. it's not quite appropriate on a stock car.

Let's hear your thoughts please!
Thanks!


TB912

[10zz964]

i like it
just want to add that go with the angle position like the R
cheers

[porschenut]

Not right for a 911. Use rubber RS-style tie downs.

[Scooter]

I like the orange car above, but I prefer the rubber RS tie downs overall.

For me, the determining factor on the leather strap is whether it looks complete or not. Complete is further determined by finish and location. The orange car looks complete to me.

[dw1]

Originally Posted by porschenut

not right for a 911. Use rubber rs-style tie downs.

+1

[RRico]

For pre-1969 911, it would be appropriate as quite a few used them in competition.
I believe that the rubber tie downs began in 1970 with the 911T and ST.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

The thing that bothers me about the leather straps is that they're so 1930s. Couldn't Porsche come up with something better than an engineer's pants belt? Of course they soon did, with the rubber RS fasteners, but they strike me as silly--appropriate for a Frazer-Nashor a Bugatti but not a supposedly modern car.

[jcsjcs]

I don't get them either - but if you choose to use them, I like the angled version - not the straight ones.

[jury]

I'd say yes, but then again I have to say that

(thats my project car in the pictures. I had to put them straight over the bumper because the hood is twisted slightly and I couldn't get it to stay down in place if the strap was angled). I do think they look better on a race/prototype inspired car...

But...

As with many things, if you like them thats all that matters

Chris

[mickey356]

I'd go with the rubber RS style. I have the leather straps on my 356 replica and I like the look, but on 911's and 912's rubber ones are a little more "period correct" I think? When all is said and done it's your car so do what YOU want. If you're anything like me you have to try it out before you can actually decide if you're for or against it. It gets a little pricy that way but at least I know I've made an "educated" decision in the end. . If you decide to go with them PM me and I will put you in touch with a gentleman who is a master saddle maker. He did mine for me and will do yours in which ever length, color, etc... you like. He's a car nut. Has about 8-10 cars at any given time so he does the straps out of passion, not for the money.

[rvanderpyl]

You can find these on E-Bay. I intend to use them on my car

[RWebb]

you can always reverse it if you don't like it - or when you try to sell the car

it will cost a bunch to fill and repaint those 2 pieces...

[tb912]

I will be adding period, easily-reversable, sports purpose mods to complete the look. So that's not a worry. and I agree with the comment about rubber RS straps, they aren't any more correct on a SWB car than leather ones are.

I'm thinking of running these simple mods for the exterior

-Grille-thru yellow fog lamps
-H4's (possibly with euro lenses)
-Painted steel wheels
-Porsche script
-(maybe) talbot sport mirrors
-R style decklid grille
-(slim maybe) period rallye stoneguards (mudflaps)

[Rich Lambert]

My initial thought was, no. Then I read about your plan to go with steelies, mud flaps, and other period rally mods and now I'm thinking, go for it!

I've been considering doing the rally thing to my 911. How about some pictures as things progress?

[gestalt1]

i wonder why the one prototype 911r had the leather buckles and all the other 911r's had the rubber pull-downs. if you go with the leather belts as you show in on your car get ready to repeatedly explain them to non-porsche people.

[tb912]

Rich, I will indeed post pictures as I gather and install the parts!

I figure if RRico's statements are true, it would only make sense to use them over the rubber ones. Being that my car is a really early 1968 (actually Decembre '67) and had my car been a lightweight factory rallye special, it would've had leather, not rubber.

[sc_rufctr]

Something that may be worth mentioning...

The rubber hold downs are easier and quicker to release compared to leather straps.

You may not think that's important but if you need to get the engine lid open in a hurry it could make all the difference on the world.

As many people here should know the normal procedure for putting out a fire in a 911 engine bay is to use an extinguisher under the car and
though the engine vent to get the flames out. Never try and open the lid before using the extinguisher.

As soon as the flames are out you need to open the engine lid so you can make sure it doesn't reignite...
With the extinguisher at the ready just in case.

[R&TSWB]

Hi to everyone!

The car in the first pic is my vintage race car. The car was prepared and raced in 2005 till the 2008 season when the pic was taken.

Basic requirements for vintage racing included a rollbar, tow hooks, cut off switches and hood tie downs.

When it came to deciding leather or rubber tie downs, i went with leather since the car is a 65 SWB , and i believe the leather straps would be more period correct since the R where the first rubber tie downs were used in some cases was done in 1967.

The 356 race cars/ outlaws used the leather tie downs and the early swb cars did borrow parts from the 356 parts bin both for the race and production parts like the seats , side mirrors. rear view mirrors, heater vents and more.

I get a lot of questions about them and have learned to just say that its because it works and I like it.

Btw, the side mirrors i have in this car is from the spyder 550. Once you get use to it , it is so easy to use. No need to glance to the side

This car is now retired from active racing and i am now building a 73 long hood vintage/cafe racer. I am deciding to go with rubber tie downs or sparco hood pins for this car.

regards, rommy

[tb912]

This thread poses another question. When you have external bonnet fasteners, Would it be counter-productive to leave the factory hood/deck release in tact? being that this will be a street car, a simple leather strap would be the only thing stopping someone from messing about my engine compartment and front trunk (where, yes, I do actually store stuff.)

I'm guessing the whole reason for these is to shed weight with all the release mechanism's and latches...

[jackb911]

My take is that it is the owner's option to do whatever makes him/her happy.

With that said, FWIW my opinion is that leather straps look odd on any post-1959 Porsche. And I am a old geezer purist.