Porsche Project... year 5: THE INTERIOR!

Snow is falling outside as Christmas 2013 has just wrapped up. So i thought i would take advantage of this quite time and post an update on the Porsche Project. It's a long post, so go get a cup of coffee... what the hell AND a doughnut.

Firstoff: meet Allen. Allen is a master interiors expert and the reason why i keep returning to Greg at Fairfield Auto Upholstery. He is truly a hero on this job. He has gone so far above and beyond what is considered amazing. So, thank you Allen. You rock.

 

Let's first start with the door panels. We came to an agreement that this car would have the heritage of the 1968, but an eye towards present day. So we came to a couple of decisions. We decided to go with a mostly vertical perforated roll on the seats and panels.

-obviously i chose RED leather. and a square weave red german carpet.

Seats first: As you may/may not... probably not, as it has been a few YEARS...

i decided to go with different seats than the originals (back issues). Instead picked up a pair of 944 seats and welded in new rails. suckers fit in like magic!

Because this was a totally custom interior job i really enjoyed the freedom of making changes as we went.

and some Lucky Strike Extras, like this: hooking up the electric seats so they function. :) 

-sometimes it's the little things... although that's usually what every insane person says...

Was quite pleased with the seats.

Next the dash, the instrument cluster and the radio.

We ended up tearing down everything and starting from scratch.

All the switches were kind of spent, so ordered new from Siera Madre (also all new rubber surrounds)

Sent out all the gauges for a reconditioning. But really important to me that the patina stayed. so nothing was done to the faces. -just new gearing, wiring and bezels.

Now let's talk about the ceiling....

Boy, did that make me happy! Now, back to the doors.

Initially we were going to go with the classic late 60's look.

But, i HATED that. So after driving back form the shop in my 996 i looked at the doors and THAT's what i wanted. So, i picked up a pair of covers on ebay....

did a dry fit...

-then painted the suckers.

Meanwhile the backseats were completed.

and all the other misc interior pieces. Humpty was starting to come together...

Changed up the dash design. Decided to go with 911 brushed aluminum and run the red perforated leather on inside.

Top of the dash.

Backseats in. Next was the stereo speakers. As we all know the sound "system" was really an afterthought. and that is being generous. So i ordered this great old-looking system from Woody's Custom shop on the west coast. Looks great, sounds great -and runs an ipod through the glovebox. :)

Nest we knew that more sound was required, so in addition to adding two speakers in dash, and on door, we also mounted a set under the seats. We grilled them over to prevent any kind of damage. Sound is fantastic!

Nest i order a set of Fuch knock-offs from a great VW resource also on the west coast.

And did a quick dry-fit

Hey, there are all the gauges, refit in.

As i fully intend to drive her i made some other mods, like cupholders.

Next is the dash and the speaker, which had to be hand punched out.

THEN...

Arrival back at Rte 136 Auto (which is under new management, long story. better story)

-for fitting on of all the trim and brightwork.

Remember that custom walnut steering wheel from almost 5 years back?... It required a custom fit and new wiring, but i think it turned out fantastic. And we cut new grooves in the shifter stalk and fitted on that beautiful matching wooden shift knob.

Hey, cupholders!

up next: the final exterior!

drive happy!