[biotechee]

Alright- the '68 is currently at Pete's getting her Winter spruce up along with some other bits and pieces taken care of, and now that this is underway, I am looking to take care of the interior (or at least start to).



So my question(s):



I have a classic grey interior and it has the usual issues on the door panels- brown/purple/cracked tops. Everything else is in decent condition. There are a few nicks here and there, like on the rear seat backs and on a couple of trim pieces. But nothing glaring. I'm sure they would be glaring after having the door panels fixed...! I can get the door panels recovered, but then I worry the color will not match the rest of the car due to sun exposure fading over the years. I also worry that the grey interior is just not conducive to longevity overall, and eventually, the dash will probably go. Okay- so my choices, as I see it are:



1) Buy a sh!tload of classic grey vinyl from World Upholstery and begin recovering everything. I would have to get the door panels and rear seats done by someone. The front seats are fine and the dash is fine. I could probably recover plain trim pieces myself. I'm not afraid to try anyway... The issue- there will be some old items that will not match color-wise. And while dying is an option to get everything to match, I'm not a big fan of chemical pathway... Carpet is also acceptable.



or...



2) Change everything to black. Carpet included. I am not afraid to do the carpet, and I can probably get a significant number of black pieces from dismantlers. Issues: seats and dash are uber-expensive. But my options for seating become basically limitless if I go for black. I think in the long run, I would be much happier with a black interior. Grey carpeting is a pain to keep clean, at least black doesn't show as much.



I think the grey approach would be much quicker and generally (obviously) less expensive. But long term, the black appeals to me for more reasons.



And, for the record, I don't care if the interior is the original color that came with the car. Matters not to me, and if I were to ever sell it after going to the dark side, I'll live with the potential loss in sell price due to unoriginality (by the time I would sell, the mileage would probably negate any high prices anyway!!!).



So, what say the good people of 968forums?



P.S. Another option is to do a deviating interior- keep some grey aspects and switch others to black. If I did this, I would definitely swap out the carpet for black. I hate the grey carpet- dirty dirty dirty.



P.S.S. I also ask these questions because I still need to get my steering wheel and right now there are a ton on the bay to choose from... HELP!

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[flash]

you can have the tops shot - i just did that on a couple of panels



upside - inexpensive, quick, matches color



downside - cannot use interior cleaners on them anymore - it's a paint, so it scuffs like a paint - does not have the same soft feel anymore



black interior has it's own ups and downs - up is easy to match, get stuff for, hides flaws, etc - down is HOT, fades easily, not as interesting



you might consider a deviating interior - i have it and love it - black on the tops of the panels, cashmere below (yours would be grey) - black carpet - yada yada

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[biotechee]

Hi Bob...



Having just the tops shot is not an option- the tops are badly cracked as well as severely discolored.



I do like the idea of a deviated interior.... I think it would look awesome in black/grey along with the dark green exterior.



All black wouldn't bother me too much heat-wise. My daily driver is all black inside (except for headliner and pillar trims). With the set of shades I use, the window tinting, and cracking the rear windows a little on hot days, the heat inside is really mitigated.



I'll eventually- who knows how many years down the road- get the '68 tinted as well. But that's the least of my priorities right now!

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[flash]

gotcha



i love the grey (have it in the new cab) - but it is weird how it discolors and cracks



you can have just the tops redone though it's 2 pieces, so it may not be too bad - you can go to veteran and get matching vinyl or leather - i've used them before and gotten a dead on match - i think the web address is veteranco.com, but i'm not sure - google for upholstery suppliers in los angeles

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[hot968]

Hi I have been working on my tops of door panels, by working I mean trying to find a way to correct the discoloration that runs along the tops of each door. I have classic grey and want the tops to be black. I have looked into dyeing them and have gotten mixed opinions on how it would wear. I wanted to buy new black doors but the cost is to much even from dismantler $1000.00 EACH. I would be really interested in what you decide to do with your door panels and if you are happy with results. Also has any one taken a door panel apart can you separate the top flat area from the lower tufted leather?

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[flash]

yes, you can take it apart - the upholstery shop near me has done it before



928 leather will also redo them for you in leather for a very reasonable price

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[porsche]

Seems that you've already answered your own question!



The least expensive route to having an interior that you'd like would be to change to black carpet and leave all the "pricey" grey items (as the deviating color).



If you change the carpets to black, you'll rid your self of the "dirty carpet issue" and spruce up the interior. If you want to take it one step further, either recover your seats in black leather or purchase a black set on the cheap.



Or, sell your car and buy a 968 in the color combo you want!



Porsche

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[biotechee]

I'll certainly post up my progress / results, but don't hold your breath- I have a tendancy to start a project and take my sweet ol' time! Such as my steering wheel upgrade- the mechanical part is done, but now I just need to get a better boxster/996 wheel.... It's been over 2 years since I started!!!!



Porsche- unfortunately, the color combo I want is out of reach- I really wanted your low mileage speed yellow beauty, but it was choice between retaining my family jewels or getting that car.



I would definitely like to explore other cars, but timing is nowhere near being right. And it seems that I never get a line on all the interesting colors!



Such is life!

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