Looking for ideas for early interior - pics please

StayGold808 · 12-13-2009, 01:32 AM

Hi All,

The exterior of my car has been backdated to pre-74, so i know want to backdate the interior. I'm not really concerned with period correctness, just want a really nice interior.

Definitely not going to the RS door panels, as I want arm rests. Also, the car is a daily driver, so I'd like it to be a bit plush. I'm thinking about a tan or red colour.

Firstly, are the 73 arm-rests compatible with my 86 doors?

Could people post what they've done to their early interiors?

I found the pic below, where the door card was done with basketweave.

Any more pics of this style? Anybody ever done this with perforated leather?

Thanks for your help,
Adam

ossiblue · 12-13-2009, 08:10 AM

A couple of things to mention.

The early door cards are a bit different to allow for the folding rear pocket--they are cut out in that area. You could modify your current cards or order/fab new ones as you are going to recover them anyway.

AFIK, the armrests are compatible but the points to secure the front map pocket and rear folding pocket are not. Early doors have nuts secured in the door for the bottom hinges of the pockets, a nut for the front of the front map pocket screw, and a small "plate" riveted into the door for the rear door pocket bungie and retaining clip. All of these issues can be gotten around, I believe, with some improvisation though I personally have not done it.

ossiblue · 12-13-2009, 08:20 AM

Here are some pictures of the pocket arrangement I mentioned:

You can see the two "plates" that the cord passes through. The one on the right is held by the nut and bolt that secures the front map pocket. The one on the left is held by a rivet as you can see.

You can also see the small screws along the bottom of the door frame. Those are machine screws that have captive nuts inside the door.

You can also see the hole in the bottom of the armrest, at the far left, that holds the securing bold. This also has a welded in nut that may not be present on a later car.

mickey356 · 12-13-2009, 09:46 AM

Adam,
I don't know if you've seen the Singer 911 or not, but I think it's a nice balance between old and new, sport and luxury. It's what I'll be using as my inspiration when the time comes.
Here's the link :
Singer 911 offers vintage looks, modern appointments, exotic performance — Autoblog

w21055 · w21055's Garage

Here are a couple shots of mine. 2nd pic is before I removed the foam and added the 73 trim.

Phillip

911pcars · 12-13-2009, 10:29 AM

Proper fold out door pockets will be a major expense in this conversion. I'm sure you've priced them, including aftermarket replicas.

However, if you can do w/o them, I can suggest purchasing some RS-type door panels with a close-enough factory pattern, then install factory arm rests, but without the door and map pockets.

MHO,
Sherwood

StayGold808 · 12-14-2009, 01:16 AM

Thanks for the replies... To be honest I don't even really love the 73 door panels, just can't think of anything better at this stage.. I like the 68, 69 arm rests, but not sure how to make them work with my car, since they have the push button door opener.

It wouldn't bother me if the map pocket didn't fold. I'm not sure if that would simplify the conversion. But I think the panel looks a bit bare with just the armrest..

StayGold808 · 12-14-2009, 04:47 AM

Also... the singer 911's interior is not bad.

I like the pattern of the leather on the door card and dash facia trim. What do you call that?

StayGold808 · 12-14-2009, 04:52 AM

deshetlr · deshetlr's Garage

This is one sweet door treatment. Came from the thread cnielson did on his s/t conversion.

911pcars · 12-14-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StayGold808

A SO might read the signature logo as "Swinger".

Sherwood

DW SD · 12-14-2009, 08:48 AM

I'd call that a basketweave patter in 3/16" or so leather.

I'd incorporate the use of alcantara (fake suede). Maybe headliner, maybe dash trim, maybe to cover your dash.

Doug

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by StayGold808

.. I don't even really love the 73 door panels, ...

right - the later style map pockets are far superior - I may convert my '73 over to them when I get a chance

RSTarga · 12-14-2009, 04:42 PM

thos early door pockets are trash they warp etc. I changed over to the 74 stly years ago and it was good enough for porsche until the 996

StayGold808 · 12-14-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deshetlr

This is one sweet door treatment. Came from the thread cnielson did on his s/t conversion.

Yes.. This is my favorite door panel. It is why I was trying to get the 68 arm rests to work.

StayGold808 · 12-14-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSTarga

thos early door pockets are trash they warp etc. I changed over to the 74 stly years ago and it was good enough for porsche until the 996

So you can use the 74 door pockets with the 73 arm rest?

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSTarga

thos early door pockets are trash they warp etc. I changed over to the 74 styl years ago ...

what did you have to do to get the '74-up map pockets to fit on your '73?

StayGold808 · 12-17-2009, 03:19 AM

Any other ideas???

Still brainstorming.... Is it possible to buy the basketweave leather as in the picture above? Or does it need to be made?....

MrPerkles · MrPerkles's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by StayGold808

Any other ideas???

Still brainstorming.... Is it possible to buy the basketweave leather as in the picture above? Or does it need to be made?....

I made my own basket weave door cards ,not leather but they look quality bought from here Woolies Trim

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Adam, I just made my own door cards, found some basket weave fabric and modified the armrest/door pulls by removing the pocket attachments (also used LHD and RHD "passenger" pieces so both doors have pulls).

With the addition of a prototipo wheel and any of the retro look "ST" style seats (I used Nurburgring seats from GTS) and you'll have a suitable retro interior.