Newbie with so many questions..

[echecsqueen]

Hi all, I have lurked on this forum for ages. I recently acquired a 1988 911 after a 15 year break from Porsche (I was driving the "mom - mobiles"). This is my 4th Porsche and my second 911. I want to modify the interior a la Singer (on a budget), put in a good invisible sound system, and get a functioning AC (here in New Orleans we need AC). So here are my first questions...
1. Is there any way to replace only the central panel of the seats with a cool upholstery without taking the whole seat apart?
2. The seats look vinyl to me but were sold as "leather" - is there an easy way to tell the difference? (I won't feel as bad about tearing out vinyl). I would rather make super fitted slip covers, but I dont have and can't find a suitable pattern....
3. I would like to fit the bonnet, but the surface is so irregular.....any ideas? The carpet that I have seen always looks so sloppy and lumpy -
4. In the attached photo is the welded area a sign of body damage or normal? What is all of the black tarry goo around the suspension bolts (?).

I am open to suggestions regarding the best fix for sound and air..
Thanks in advance - I am so excited to be back in the family again.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Let me be the first to welcome you to the Pelican community! What other P cars did you own previously? While you continue to work on your 911 be sure to check out our tech articles (linked below) and if you have any parts or forum questions please do not hesitate to shoot me a PM. Hopefully some Pelicans will come in with some advice for you as well. Enjoy your time here.

Porsche 911 (1965-1989) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts

[75 911s]

Welcome
Nice car!
1. Is there any way to replace only the central panel of the seats with a cool upholstery without taking the whole seat apart?

Sure. I wouldn't. I would take them out and find some cores if you want to do something custom, those look pretty nice and in a color that might be harder to take back to stock if you ever wanted to
2. The seats look vinyl to me but were sold as "leather" - is there an easy way to tell the difference? (I won't feel as bad about tearing out vinyl). I would rather make super fitted slip covers, but I dont have and can't find a suitable pattern....

Check the options, through a paperwork or order a COA, call 1800 porsche to order one.

3. I would like to fit the bonnet, but the surface is so irregular.....any ideas? The carpet that I have seen always looks so sloppy and lumpy -

I thought Porsche failed a bit on the frunk carpet. I took mine out and cleaned. I think it looks better than loose carpet
4. In the attached photo is the welded area a sign of body damage or normal? What is all of the black tarry goo around the suspension bolts (?).

Looks stock. The goo is normal. it can be removed with a heat gun and thinner or some other products , do a search to find out more

[Mark Salvetti]

Welcome!

There are definitely folks here that have upgraded their AC, they'll chime in soon. I'm not one of them, but I know Griffiths offers popular upgrades. You'll likely need to at least upgrade the hoses. https://griffiths.com/porsche/air-conditioning/911-930/

For 1 and 2, those look leather to me. I would think a good upholstery shop could replace the center inserts. What kind of look do you want? Maybe Wet Okole has a cover that will work for you? https://www.wetokole.com/

For Item 4, what looks like patched panels is normal. My 1979 is like that. The front trunk is not very well finished, since it is usually under a carpet set. Over spray and visible primer are normal. And the tarry goo is factory-applied sealant to keep out moisture, but I don't know that it is really necessary.

Mark

[porschenut]

1. No, the seat covers are two pieces - bottom and back rest. You cannot do anything with the covers without taking the seats apart.

2. Look under the seat and pull up a flap of material so you can see the back. If it's suede, it's leather. If it's fabric, it's vinyl. The seating surfaces should be leather, the rest vinyl.

3. No idea what you mean by "fit the bonnet". First, the bonnet is the trunk LID. And fitting it means adjusting it so the gaps are correct between the lid and fenders. If you're talking about carpet, sliverknit trunk carpeting was a factory option and can be ordered from any of the usual carpet suppliers.

4. The welds and the black goo are normal. It's there for a reason, though I can't recall what the reason is. I suggest you leave it alone unless you have a pressing reason to remove it.

Griffiths and Rennaire are the most commonly used suppliers of aftermarket A/C systems, which will utilize some of the factory components. Both are excellent by all accounts, though Griffiths seems to get mentioned more often.

The best sound system you're ever going to put in that car is an upgraded exhaust system. The 911's interior is a horrendous acoustic environment, which means no matter how much you spend on speakers and head unit you're never going to get great sound. The car was not designed for music and quietness.

[GeorgeM]

Welcome!

Is that Stone Grey with a grey-green interior? Very nice combo that I'd be hesitant to mess with. But, if you want to change the seats, buy a used set and do what you want with them as Duane suggested and keep the originals original.

As for the bonnet... assume you have Perlon felt. There are Silverknit (or similar) sets that look much nicer and if you put a pad under it, that'll smooth it out a bit.

What's the paint code?

[hcoles]

Assuming the seats are the original leather - they are in the best shape I've seen. I'd be tempted to not mess with them. Remove and store them somewhere and get seats that actually hold you in the car.

[echecsqueen]

Wow. Thanks for all the help! Great suggestions everyone
It is granite green original paint and grey-green interior. I removed and saved the front spoiler and huge factory tail. Yall have convinced me not to take these original seats apart. They are in great condition [but smell smoky/musty]. I will have to contemplate making tight slipcovers vs buying a set of seats to recover. The seats look "right" but the grey shag carpeting is too light and too blue grey(and really gross-i am kindof prissy) I want to fit the floors with perlon or coir mats. I have pulled the carpet off of the door compartments and am playing with upholstery. See attached.
By fitted bomnet, I am referring to making the hood[bonnet] compartment beautiful with upholstery a la singer. The current fittings of the hood are a stinky black shag carpeting that looks lumpy and weird.
The stereo has both woofers blown so even though i am not expecting wonderful contemperary sterio, i would like to jam to some tunes.
I am so excited to have a group to turn to! Thanks-equeen
Prior P cars....
1978 924 white with cork interior totalled it in a street car accident (high school and college)
1985 924 nile green with stone interior (grad school)
1983 911 white with cherry red leather interior (purchased it in 2001 and promptly became pregnant with 3rd and 4th child )
So those 2002 twins are 15 now and it is time for me to get back on the track!

[echecsqueen]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

Let me be the first to welcome you to the Pelican community! What other P cars did you own previously? While you continue to work on your 911 be sure to check out our tech articles (linked below) and if you have any parts or forum questions please do not hesitate to shoot me a PM. Hopefully some Pelicans will come in with some advice for you as well. Enjoy your time here.

Porsche 911 (1965-1989) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts

Thanks!

[echecsqueen]

Originally Posted by Luccia at Pelican Parts

Let me be the first to welcome you to the Pelican community! What other P cars did you own previously? While you continue to work on your 911 be sure to check out our tech articles (linked below) and if you have any parts or forum questions please do not hesitate to shoot me a PM. Hopefully some Pelicans will come in with some advice for you as well. Enjoy your time here.

Porsche 911 (1965-1989) Technical Articles - Pelican Parts

Thanks!

[mickey356]

Yeah, it'd probably be a push, money wise, to redo those versus finding a different set of seats (there are some really nice aftermarket ones out there. Check out GTS Seats, they will make just about anything you want). Or you could find some older torn up seats and have those redone the way you want. If you have to, sell yours to offset the price of the new seats, though I'd advise you store them.

Everything you will ever need to know about your car is here on this forum. Welcome.

[75 911s]

We need a full shot of the car.

[echecsqueen]

Trying to decide on her name....any thoughts?

[echecsqueen]

Thanks for all of your help. I thought I replied earlier today but I don't see it, so forgive me if this is a duplicate...
I appreciate the advice - I think I will keep these seats and look for a set that I can re-upholster in a creative style. I am small - 5'4 100lbs....any seats come to mind that would be suitable?
The color is Granite Green and the interior is grey green special order -
The bonnet (hood) doesn't have perlon...just nasty black shag carpeting Yuck - I have already removed it and brought it to the curb.
I am not looking for orchestral sound, but the front woofers are completely blown and it would be nice to be able to listen to some tunes.

Past P cars
white exterior and cork 924 late 1970s totaled by a street car in 1981ish
nile green and bone /lt grey 924S 1980s had throughout grad school
white and cherry red 911 1983ish
I got rid of the 911 when I was expecting twins (2002) and already had 2 toddlers. Had to get a "mom" car, now that they are 15, 15, 18 and 20, I can get back on the track

[Bill Douglas]

Nice car!!!

I was thinking Beatrix.

As in Queen Beatrix of Holland.

[echecsqueen]

I like Beatrix....hmmm
Prior P cars have been Poindexter, Green Godess, and Candy Cane -

[Bill Douglas]

Being such a beautiful car; some careful thought is required. I really like that color.

[tdw28210]

Pretty car. As for sound, how about a slim, under the seat subwoofer?

[vesnyder]

I love the color combo! I would proceed slowly as the condition of those seats look good. You may try to soften them up with a good treatment of leatherique (or similar) to ensure they stay that way. Looks like you have the foundation for a good upgraded stereo with the tweeters built into the door panels. Search the forum for some stereo upgrade options. This will be a cheap upgrade compared to the AC - depending on your plan you can spend upwards of $2k - and that is doing the work yourself.

Good luck and welcome!

[wildthing]

The seat area might be leather and the sides and rear are vinyl. Pretty much the parts your body doesn't touch.