LE interior color change question, Dye it back or replace? Options

[poorsche914]

The LE I just got had a brown interior but has been dyed black. Is there a way to dye it back to the original color or would I be better off finding a brown interior to replace it?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.volksbraggin.com-10419-1274053228.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.volksbraggin.com-10419-1274053228.2.jpg)

[Tom_T]

I know the roads around Sevierville well!

Unfortunately I've only enjoyed them in our 88 Westy or rental cars when back there on trips! Would love to do them & "The Dragon" sometime in my 73 914 2L once restored! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

Probably best to just live with your "DAPO dye job" & get it sorted out mechanically, then work on the rust issues (e.g.: my comment elsewhere on your front panel).

Given the relative rarity & ever decreasing numbers of "real" LE's, you're probably well served to eventually get it back to original eventually. I did a "rolling resto" on mine back in 80-84 before I went to grad school, so I wouldn't have problems, so it works well but required some planning being my only car & DD back then!

Mike Knox has made an excellent offer for the carpet set, so take him up on it. They're NLA now, so getting a nice used set & restoring it is the only alt. to finding NLA or new repro carpet. Get it clean (carefully) then you can have the worh edging redone with matching vinyl at a local carpet or upholstery shop.

Then you can work to collect the rest of the beige interior over time. You might want to look on TheSamba & eBay right now, since there are some bits available now - & then check back over time, but the 73-74 ones are the match, since pre & post MYs had different inserts & after even the smooth was different IIRC (72 may work with the basketweave, but the smooth is a match IIRC).

The COA may also confirm that it's a "real" LE under the options section, which will back up it's ultimate value & may lead you to do better/more original solutions in the process of all this rolling resto. If you join PCA, they get a $20 or so discount on COAs, plus 20% on parts from dealers from time to time, as well as 2 magazines per month & the events for your $42 annual dues. Although a counter-culture of that taildragging Porsche enclave myself since the 70's, I figured it was a good deal in my best interest to get my 914 resto'd.

Git er dun & (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) & then post us all some pix!!!!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[poorsche914]

I know the roads around Sevierville well!

Unfortunately I've only enjoyed them in our 88 Westy or rental cars when back there on trips! Would love to do them & "The Dragon" sometime in my 73 914 2L once restored! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I have a '91 Westy Weekender - great vehicle if you aren't in a hurry (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Probably best to just live with your "DAPO dye job" & get it sorted out mechanically, then work on the rust issues (e.g.: my comment elsewhere on your front panel).

Given the relative rarity & ever decreasing numbers of "real" LE's, you're probably well served to eventually get it back to original eventually. I did a "rolling resto" on mine back in 80-84 before I went to grad school, so I wouldn't have problems, so it works well but required some planning being my only car & DD back then!

Mike Knox has made an excellent offer for the carpet set, so take him up on it. They're NLA now, so getting a nice used set & restoring it is the only alt. to finding NLA or new repro carpet. Get it clean (carefully) then you can have the worh edging redone with matching vinyl at a local carpet or upholstery shop.

Then you can work to collect the rest of the beige interior over time. You might want to look on TheSamba & eBay right now, since there are some bits available now - & then check back over time, but the 73-74 ones are the match, since pre & post MYs had different inserts & after even the smooth was different IIRC (72 may work with the basketweave, but the smooth is a match IIRC).

Have contacted Mike Knox and accepted his offer. How could I refuse? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
I plan on getting it roadworthy and then slowly restoring it back to original. What do you think about the A/C? That will be the last thing on the list but just wondering about restoring or updating or deleting.

The COA may also confirm that it's a "real" LE under the options section, which will back up it's ultimate value & may lead you to do better/more original solutions in the process of all this rolling resto. If you join PCA, they get a $20 or so discount on COAs, plus 20% on parts from dealers from time to time, as well as 2 magazines per month & the events for your $42 annual dues. Although a counter-culture of that taildragging Porsche enclave myself since the 70's, I figured it was a good deal in my best interest to get my 914 resto'd.

Git er dun & (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) & then post us all some pix!!!!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Will definitely get the COA just not sure how soon.