RS Door Panels

josh912 · 02-03-2002, 10:18 PM

As most of you know I'm planning on redoing my interior. I really like the RS door panels and am trying to figure out if I can make them fit a 65, upgrade the inside locking mechanism to a latter one, or what? If you have done this conversion or have suggestions, please let me know.

As for an update, the 912 is now registered as 65 instead of 67 (go figure), is insured, has new tires, a fresh tranny, topend rebuild, H4's, new seats, steel braided brake lines, and it is somewhat road worthy, what more can it want??? We'll lets not go there. But I will say....7 more days until Dunkel's! So who all's going???

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

josh,

this is not my doorpanel. image was downloaded from real rs. i will be installing this wed.

in the photo, you will have to drill new holes where it is marked in yellow. you will have to cut where it is marked in orange (there is already a "template" in the orig door).

in the illustration, you will have to remove rod and maybe grind down the armrests posts (marked in green circles) but i could be talking out my arse on that part. i have not spent enough time with the panels yet to figure it out. they arrived from original without instructions.

has anyone else installed rs doorpanels on an earlier car? are the internal mechanisms different as the style of the interior door changed?

i only get one shot at drilling new holes in the vinyl. they arrived with only one hole (rear square for leather strap) in them.

bob

josh912 · 02-04-2002, 11:44 AM

Thanks! Another question, is there a place where I can buy the hardware and make the panels from scratch?

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

do a search on the 911 board for rs door panels or original fit interiors. there is a lot of info out there.
briefly:

handles are fiat.
straps, vinyl, board, padding - local auto uphosltery shop
all parts no panels - about $100 from ofi
homemade panels usually look homemade
ofi = top notch craftsmanship but piss poor service
$200 for complete set from ofi (how much is your time worth?)

i thought about making my own and decided against it. sure i could have saved about a $100 but it would have taken me the whole weekend plus numerous trips to x stores.
i had ofi use the same vinyl as the rest of my interior. i just re-upholstered the rear shelf and doorcaps so i had the #s to give to ofi. be prepared to wait 2 months to arrive but ofi will keep saying "later this week or early next week".
bob

josh912 · 02-05-2002, 10:51 AM

Bob, let me know how it goes on Wednesday. If it fits, I'll go and order them, and he said he would be at Dunkels so who knows. Also, there is an adapto kit for the 69-72 of the RS America panels, so hmmmmmmm.

josh912 · 02-07-2002, 05:57 PM

Bob, did you get the door panels installed?

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

not yet - i had to work overtime on wed. i'm not complaining considering the economy and my numerous susp receipts. i will tend to it on sat.

josh, i know you were joking about the rs AMERICA style panels. the classics deserve a period correct treatment - not the more modern AMERICA style ones. just kidding - everyone has their own "character". actually my friend just put those in his '70 911. he likes them. he also has mid '80s style seats and a few other more modern touches. so they complement his interior. i'm going for that factory race prepared and period correct look. i like the ex-matsuda '67R

anyway, i will update over the weekend.

bob

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/pmpre/pm.cgi?action=display&login=bob_tilton

bob tilton · bob tilton's Garage

so i finished installing the door panels. they look "phat". i took pics of the process with a film camera so i will post once developed. i'll post a few steps of the process with some helpful hints.

bob