Budget Interior Restoration

Carpet: Nearly all that applies to the seats applies to carpet as well. The Volkswagen carpet is very similar, and involves less money. However, it is easier to identify from its more expensive cousin than it was with the vinyl. But it looks good to me, and I will not have to cringe when someone with muddy paws climbs in.

Carpet, Too
There is much more available in carpet styles and textures, but beware. Some versions of carpet are of very low quality, and soon you will find these versions shedding themselves all over your new shoes. As a quick test, try to pull a small strand out from the backing. It should be fairly difficult to do with your fingers.


Door panels: The same material used in the seats is used here as well. However, there are also molded plastic armrests and map holders attached to the door interiors. These have suffered tremendously from age and sun, so it is time to make a decision regarding them as well. It would be very difficult to make entirely new ones, and used ones in only slightly better condition are expensive. To top it all off, I keep bumping my arms on them.


So I take a queue from racing Porsches of old—the RS-style door panel. Basically the 911 RS performance model had a door panel devoid of all unnecessary items, such as armrests and flashy chrome bits. Adding to the excitement was a red nylon strap as a door-pull and latch release. This style was copied in my 914 to be reminiscent of the older racing 911s, red door-pull and all.


Did 914s ever come this way? No, but it looks good, was inexpensive, and I have room to move. Is there an option to my unrelenting purist hacking? Yes, read on.