mismatched interior? (3rd try)

jriley · 02-02-2003, 12:26 PM

Hi-

I recently purchased an 88 951. The interior is black and tan. All of the pictures I have seen of tan interiors show tan seats, carpets, door panels, console, and lower dash. i have tan seats, door panels, and console, but black carpets and an all black dash. Was this combination offered by the factory? It has a non-airbag steering wheel, which is worrisome, though I don't know if someone would replace the wheel instead of having the bag repacked (carfax is clean, body is straight, but I have no real vehicle history). The kick panels are also missing. I'm planning to restore the entire interior to all black, but I'm trying to figure out how much of what I have is original or if there may be something I should be concerned about. Thanks for any help.

John

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Having a little trouble figuring out the complexities of posting on Pelican Parts?

Just kidding, welcome to the board.

It sounds like someone did some mixing and matching on your car. I would guess the door panels and seats are new, as dash and carpets are a more labor-intensive job. What color is your steering wheel? Which wheel is it? An aftermarket one? If it is an aftermarket one, then that just makes it all the more likely that the previous owner was a do-it-yourselfer and changed some of the interior panels in-question.

I could be completely wrong, however; if anyone knows if this is a factory option, speak up (although I'm not sure why anyone would want this option).

Some pics would be nice, John. I am curious as to how this looks.

BTW: there is an edit button under the post-entry window... that way, if you mess up again, you can just edit the thread instead of creating a new one and cluttering up the board.

jriley · 02-02-2003, 01:54 PM

The first wasn't my fault, the script timed out. The second I hit tab to indent and managed to submit it. Missed the edit button, though I emailed an admin to get the blank threads removed. Great way to make your first post.

It's a Porsche wheel. Here's a shot of the interior. Maybe.

Verruckt · 02-02-2003, 02:05 PM

Hey, that looks great. It may not be "factory", but the black carpet makes the seats stand out. I had beige carpet in my 2000 Jetta VR6 and it went from looking sharp to crap in 3 months. Welcome to pelican parts!

jriley · 02-02-2003, 02:11 PM

There's something else strange. It has no rear wiper, but it has the rear wiper option code. Where would the switch be? Incidentally, I have a 2000 Jetta with tan interior. Doesn't look too bad yet, but I love my friend's Golf with all black.

ae1969 · 02-02-2003, 03:15 PM

Someone definitely played with that interior.

1. Air bag must of went of. So he switched to standard steering wheel. Makes you wonder what he hit.

2. Rear wiper button is on the console underneath the pocket (underneath the radio)...you should have one there. I had a rear wiper and removed it. So he may have just pulled the rear wiper out.

jriley · 02-02-2003, 03:31 PM

Actually, it makes me wonder if the frame is straight

. Do you know if there's a way I can check for the existence of the passenger side airbag safely? I will probably have the dealer check it so I can find out what state the system is in. The good news is I won't have any problems getting the wheel off to pull the gauge cluster and fix the odometer. Thanks for the help.

Trevor · 02-02-2003, 03:43 PM

Good news is I don't think the frame can be bent since it's unibody but if I'm wrong, my appologies in advance. I have seen that color combo together on a 928 owned by Michale Douglas.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

When you said tan, i thought you meant the brown color on most early 944s. THAT and black together would probably look hideous... but yours looks pretty nice.

And, yes, the frame can be slightly bent. I had to have my frame tweaked just a hair after my minor accident. No big deal, really.

Now let's see the exterior of your car, john... it looks like you have a gem there.

jriley · 02-02-2003, 04:22 PM

The interior's a little rougher than that picture shows. You can see the glove box isn't straight, the slider knobs are missing, lots of little stuff. Carpet clips are missing around the hatch. The body is nice though, the right front fender needs a little work around the wheel well behind the wheel, but nothing major. It needs a clutch, shocks, struts, brakes, etc., but I've put close to a 1000 miles on it with no problems. It's garaged now until I can get to work on it.

FLA944 · 02-02-2003, 06:15 PM

The color combo looks great ! If the black dash really is bugging you you can get a die/paint to match the tan at any A/P Store.

You may be better off without the airbags. If you modify(stiffen) the suspension as you may, the switch consists of 3 balls in a gel. When all 3 balls touch Kaboom! (hurts like hell) By stiffening the suspension will force these balls together when 2 touch your warning light illuminates unless someone removed it or it failed "scary" If the warning light does illuminate "Stop the vehicle immediately and have it put on a flatbead"

To check the frame, take it to a body shop with a frame rack and they will measure from each corner of the suspension using the same referance (squaring) and then measure from that to the body to assure the body matches the suspension. You can't do it with a tape measure.

Again, Congrats on the car it looks great.

XJOSHX · 02-02-2003, 11:55 PM

Where are you from? car looks sweet. I seen a turbo on ebay a while ago with almost the same interior. is this that car??