[plittell]

I finally finished it! After several years and false starts, my ’92, 33k mile cab interior is done.

 

It includes a grain-matched macassar ebony dash, console, instrument cluster and shift knob. The shift knob is one of only 2 aftermarket knobs in existence that don't rattle. [the other one is my first trial knob, built in zebrawood.] I accomplished this by the very simple method of molding the wood around the 8.3 oz. weighted core of the original factory knob. Leather details including map pocket, armrests and console. I also upgraded to a 996 steering wheel [airbag is 10 years younger.]

 

Thanks, Bob. You’ll see I made good use of your 3-hole console instrument inserts [housing the istruments for the great DR1 SC] and your radio. [I still haven’t figured out how to work that.]

 

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[ds968]

Outstanding !! Looks spectacular !

I'm surprised you found a kit with an instrument cluster - VDO - panel trim .. I have the faux wood kit ( but a different style ) in my blue 968 , but the kit did not have the VDO trim. Nor did any of the other kits I searched at the time.

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[Ernie]

Beautiful! What color is your exterior?

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[blau]

Outstanding !! Looks spectacular !

I'm surprised you found a kit with an instrument cluster - VDO - panel trim .. I have the faux wood kit ( but a different style ) in my blue 968 , but the kit did not have the VDO trim. Nor did any of the other kits I searched at the time.

I'm assuming since he said he wrapped his own shift knob that he veneered the trim himself... :-)

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[PorscheG96]

Is that factory full leather?  Looks nice.

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[Rap]

Wow. Where did you get the mats?

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[94SilverCab]

Really REALLY Nice  :clap:

 

Jay

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[plittell]

Thanks, Guys,I really appreciate that you like it. It’s been a LONNGG time coming.


 

Dan and Blau, you’re right. It’s not a wood kit. It’s wood – macassar ebony, like on a Mercedes of the 60s.
Matt Williams, Main Street Custom Finishing in Denver did the veneer. Actually it ranks with the best I’ve ever seen. The grain matching is perfect. I also twisted Matt’s arm to do this shift knob for me*. Interesting that dimensional ebony often does not have the same great striated appearance as the veneer.


 

The 3-hole panel [from Bob] was supposed to take drop-in ‘surface mount’ gauges. But when I saw the veneer, I didn’t want to let the gauge bezels cover any of it. So I got a 2^nd 3-hole panel from Bob to mount the gauges. Then I put the veneered 3-hole panel on top and ran 2 long screws through the pre-drilled holes in the lower corners. Of course, Murphy’s Law being what it is, the bezel thicknesses didn’t match. North Hollywood Speedometer was kind enough to send me a more shallow bezel for the clock, but I still had to do considerable shimming.


 

The way that came out then caused me to look disapprovingly at the main instrument cluster. It just didn’t match aesthetically. So I went to work on that. [Whole separate project. Whole separate chapter.]


 

Ernie, the car is Midnight Blue. I love it. I attached a pic below. It features wheels and a chassis brace that I originally purchased from Bob for my then 944 cab. [I photographed the chassis brace to be almost unnoticible, as this pic accompanied my collector car insurance app.]


 

No, Porsche G96, It’s not full-factory leather. I wanted to get rid of the ‘plasticky’ look, so I asked
Classic9 to edge the top of the
map pocket, and supply armrests, console and console armrest. The new shift boot is another [nasty] story that requires a

separate chapter.


 

Sorry, Rap, the mats came with the car. I don’t know the source. Next time I’m at the garage, I’ll check for labels.


 

Thanks, Jay.


 

*Much has been written in this forum and in various 944 fora about the infamous and insidious 'buzz' that emanates from aftermarket shift knobs. The original knob is very heavy [8.3 oz. metal core] and mounts on 2 rubber bushings. It seems that it’s intended as a harmonic dampener for a vibration further down in the shift linkage. Having lived with that buzz in my 944,
I decided to strip the old knob to its core and mold the wood around the original core, thus keeping the same weight and rubber bushing mounts. It works!

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[az968]

That is a beautiful job! No, really! It amazes me how beautiful these cars are and how they can be enhanced. This is one car I can't let my wife see or my banker will smile for days!

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[plittell]

Thanks, AZ.

 

Sorry, Ernie, couldn't post pic below. I started a gallery album 'Paul's '92 Cab' and put it there.

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[Bulti]

I'm no fan of wood in cars, but I definitely appreciate the effort and craftsmanship that went into this project. Very nice!

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[jimham968]

Your car looks absolutely beautiful. Great job. I think the wood plus the new steering wheel really update the car - it looks completely contemporary to me. What's the story with the ash tray? I've considered several options for mine but haven't come up with anything I'm happy with. I was looking for something that looks exactly like yours. Inquiring minds want to know.

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[Ernie]

Plittell, I'm with bulti, in that I'm generally not a fan of wood trim in cars. The wood in your car looks fantastic and the midnight blue really is a great color to pair it with. Well done!!!

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[plittell]

Hey Rap, I checked the carpet inserts. They are ordinary Lloyds item.


 

Thanks, Philippe and Jim.


 

Jim, in place of the ashtray, this is just a panel that pulls up. Below it, in place of the ashtray, is a compartment for small stuff. I have yet to line the compartment with leather.


 

Sorry for your inability to be warmed by wood, Philippe and Ernie. Guess you never owned a Morgan. Everyone should


 

Paul

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[ds968]

Such a subjective thing ..I love the look of wood in cars ( any and all sports cars included ) and find anything in carbon fiber finish to be simply tacky ..yet others think carbon fiber is as great as it gets. That said, I'd rather live with CF as opposed to the brushed aluminum trim that was all the rage in almost every mid-2000s cars - ugh, it was like stepping in a 1950s diner ! And ironically, I have a CF & aluminum ( Porsche OE though ) shifter knob in the six speed :-) ..

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[Ernie]

No plittell, I said I am generally not a fan of wood trim...but I said your's looks fantastic...especially paired with midnight blue. A well deserved compliment! Seriously...a great job!

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[Rap]

Thanks

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[plittell]

Just kidding about the wooditude, Ernie. Thanks again

Paul

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[Mark]

Very nice job!

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[plittell]

Thanks, Mark.

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