914-6 interior

jjemg · 02-19-2004, 04:43 AM

I would appreciate one of you 914-6 Gurus giving me some info about interior. The car I have has the smooth vinyl door panels and basketweave inserts in the seats. What I would love to know is if these cars also came with basketweave door panels and dash plate. Let me know!!! Jimmy

jtf914 · jtf914's Garage

Basket weave was standard on the dash face, but (IIRC) the basket weave doors were a later interior option, maybe 73 and on.....

tat2dphreak · tat2dphreak's Garage

hmmm... both my '72s have basket weave door panels... one was built in Januaray... the other in July... must be '72 =>> ?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

According to Johnson's "Restorer's Guide", the dash material was always basket-weave, with the 75+ cars getting the larger pattern.

He says that 70-71 had smooth door panels, and 72+ had basket weave door panels. Again, the 75+ cars had the larger pattern of basket weave.

Seats, according to him, had basket-weave vinyl in 70 and smooth in 71 (other materials were offered, and evidently basket-weave is listed for 1971 cars as well but few if any were built that way). I think they went back to basket-weave material for 72. BTW, this all refers only to the "inserts" in the seat, not the side bolsters or back or headrest. Those were always smooth (grained) vinyl, except for those very few 914-6es that had leather seats.

I have found that, in practice, it is easy to say "At least some 914s came with XXX"--but very difficult to say "No 914s ever came with YYY". It seems like every time you do that, someone will walk up to you and say, "Oh, I'm the original owner of my 914, and it had YYY straight from the dealer." There seem to have been a lot of variations in exactly what bits were used on 914s over the years, and Karmann's record keeping was not always as good as it could have been.

--DD

tat2dphreak · tat2dphreak's Garage

how true dave... karmann couldn't do anything really consistantly... the antenna holes can be on either side etc... all part of the fun!

Jim Chambers · 02-19-2004, 08:13 AM

In the last couple of years I have owned two sixes and one '70 and one '71 four with original interiors. All confirm what DD says.
Smooth door panels on all, basket weave dash face on all, and smooth seat inserts on the '71 four. Can't be sure about '71 sixes because they are so rare, but I am guessing they were just like the four.

LarryP · 02-19-2004, 05:59 PM

OK, if I can co-opt this thread. I have a gold toned "emission control information" plate. Where does this go on a six?

Jim Chambers · 02-19-2004, 06:04 PM

Is it a metal plate or a heavy foil metallic decal?
Can't get to my car until tomorrow to take a look.

LarryP · 02-19-2004, 06:44 PM

It is a heavy foil metallic decal, it also has some ignition timing info. Black lettering, and is ca. 1-1/2" x 5".

Jim Chambers · 02-19-2004, 07:30 PM

On a 911 it goes on top of the housing over the fan. I can't remember where it is on a 914-6. I can look tomorrow.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Same Place

Jim Chambers · 02-19-2004, 08:51 PM

Next question: does it face forward toward the firewall or is it turned around on the 914 so it doesn't have to be read "upside down"? I can't remember without looking.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Mine was on so it could be read from back

LarryP · 02-20-2004, 03:50 AM

you guys are the best. Thanks.

jjemg · 02-20-2004, 06:41 AM

Work called. Could not get back. Ain't that a #@@$%^? So, on the door panels, I have a nice set of '73 basketweave door panels. Do you think I can get away with using those? Or, am I going to get noses turned up at my door panel short-coming?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Uhh, dude... It's a 914... Doesn't matter what you do, some noses are gonna be turned up at it regardless. Do what makes you feel good about the car!

If you're going for total concours quality, you must have the smooth door panels. If you're not entering concours events, use whatever makes you happy. Even fake carbon fiber stickers!!

--DD

jjemg · 02-20-2004, 07:11 AM

I'm sure you are right DD. Just may drop the car off for a local showing and want to get good responses. I'm going to have a lot of money in this car when I am finished and don't want some silly door panels to be the main issue over things that are more important. I personally believe the basketweave panels look nicer. I appreciate you getting right back with me.

Jimmy

Jim Chambers · 02-20-2004, 07:20 AM

Basket weave looks better in my view. Use what you have. If you get to the point where that is the only thing to improve to satisfy critics, switch to smooth.

Scott S · Scott S's Garage

The car that got me into 914's was my dads 1971 914-6, purchased in 1975. It was absolutely untouched/unmolested. It absolutely-positively had the basket weave door panels and the non-moveable passenger seat.

tat2dphreak · tat2dphreak's Garage

hell, when I "go for it" my door apnels are going to be brushed metal! (or carbon fiber is an idea now... thanks DAVE!

) to hell with what everyone else thinks... it's YOUR CAR... you are the one living in it! IMHO... basket weave looks better