'73 RS Carrera LWT door panels

andyjboy · 08-12-2001, 11:09 AM

Does anybody know if Original Fit Interiors has an email address?
Anybody bought a set of their '73 RS Carrera Lightweight door panels recently ? If so what's their latest price? Are they complete & ready to install? What's the quality like?
I know they don't have a website & I am thinking of ordering a set if the price/quality is right. Any (equivalent quality) alternative suppliers?

Andy Boyle(UK)
'69 911E

GeorgeK · 08-12-2001, 11:18 AM

Why not build your own??
You'd need 3mm thick ABS plastic, black vinyl, contact adhesive, a leather band, a few nice screws with cup washers, and the correct inner handle (part n. 901 531 067 00)
I did that to my car, you can catch a glimpse on the cheaterswayside gallery.
GeorgeK

andyjboy · 08-12-2001, 01:10 PM

George - do you have a source for the plastic pull handle? It's originally from a Fiat 500 isn't it?
Received the RS Carrera Drivers Manual supplement by the way - thanks.

Andy Boyle (UK)
'69 911E

GeorgeK · 08-12-2001, 07:58 PM

Hi Andy,
Good to hear it arrived safely.
The handle should still be available at the factory as it is used in the 964 Carrera Cup. That's where I got mine-the last ones last summer.
Yes it is a Fiat 500/600 item too.
GeorgeK

Roland Kunz · 08-15-2001, 12:15 PM

Hello

In the 60-70´s race Porsche used the FIAT parts. I think Carlo Abarth was behind that.

I don´t like them as they are not working like they should. ( they also brake on the Fiat doors )

RS doorpanels are not build up on plastic backings. Its a waterresistant cardboard.

The plastic boards are not usefull if you have a accident as they can add iky injurys

The later RS have other handles.

Grüsse

GeorgeK · 08-15-2001, 12:52 PM

Hi Roland,
as usual you have the complete science. The panels were indeed water resistant cardboard, but the resistant got slowly turned into "loving" over the years...
If you use thin abs " or 3 mm, it would break easily in an accident, and it is held by the vinyl covering. I thought about that, but the material I got is relly light and does not make splnters when it breaks.
You're also right that the FIAT handles are schintzy, but they are the "real thing". For myself, I drop the window half an inch and pull the door by it.
Regards, GeorgeK

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

How much weight is saved by the RS door panels v. say the door pocket type?
Or is this merely a cosmetic change?

Just wondering.

------------------
Paul
78SC Targa

rscupper · 08-15-2001, 04:36 PM

Andy, I think Roland is on the right track. Try contacting Dave at tre@earthlink.net for some info. He has been making these panels and does a pretty job with nice materials. Authentic? I wouldn't know, but they do look great and work well. I've seen others and I should have mine installed in my project within the month. E-mail me about then if you would like my feed-back.

Roland Kunz · 08-16-2001, 05:04 AM

Hello

Authentic is gone as the FIAT parts changed the design in the 70´s and do look slight different.

I always "tuned" the things a bit. If you look at old race cars the users put in the 356 or other more solid door handles. Most where used without any door panels and you had a direct grip. I also prefer the S-T setup with the leather strip.

The cardboard material changed over the years. the correct waxed material is very expensive as it uses NOS raw´s. But this is only for the collector from interesst.

Newer cardboards have other color and "feel".

Today they have a newer extruded plastic witch will shred in small pieces and leave no sharp edges. 25% from that material is a Sissal/Linnen innerta.

A other reason for "living" materials is that they can control humidity and have a higher temperature isolation.

As far I know no other PVC or Polystrol material is allowed "unconstructet" in larger pieces. Both materials are also to risky in fire situations but if you use "blends" you can make it safer.

This is the reason why you see aluminium or Cevlar panels on race cars. Saefty

Sorry a simple detail like a door panel still has a lot construction power behind it.

The RS setup will shave some 3 kg per door.
The main reason was that the old aluminium door shells didn´t support to much wight hanging on the bolts and the pre 74 door pocket setup wasn´t very practical. So most racers or rallye drivers used Mercedes or Audi doorpockets to store there things.

Roll gages also did hit the door pockets with the lower bar.
Race cars did got glasfibre compound doors without winder and then the complete lower inner shell was used as a doorpocket

Grüsse