A few questions?/introduction Options

[Stacks914]

Hello everyone just wanted to introduce myself! Saw a lot of information from this site and thought I would join. I recently have purchased a 72 914 with a 1.7. Car was in decent shape on outside non running and interior was missing. I am looking to fix this car up to be a nice drivers car. New battery and plugs car is running still needs a tune.

When researching the prices of some items I was wondering if I could gets parts from another car that would help lower costs.

The car did come with two rough seats that are beige and the backing that goes with them which is rough itself. It also has inner door trim beige as well. I would I like to convert the car to a black interior as I am sticking with a white(exterior) on black theme.

Things I do need is an ebrake cable and handle. Has anyone used this from another car that was cheaper?

Also seat belts. Has anyone used just generic seat belts from eBay or another car? Now seem to be $500

Rear rubber padding that is not $300?

Arm rests from another car?

Also a good place to buy front rear and side skirts? Does not have to be NOS.

If some fabrication is required that is not a problem as I have a welder
Thank you in advance, Stack

[Dave_Darling]

If you have a 72+ car, you can use seat belts from a 924 or 944 (not sure which years) with a little modification. Early VW Rabbit belts might also work? I know that the 924 family often used parts from the more pedestrian VWs of the time.

The ebrake handle is pretty unique on the 70-71 cars; it is a two-piece design and is supposed to flop down out of your way after you pull it up. (You have to pull it up again and then press the button to un-set it.) I haven't seen any direct replacements for the later handle, though I haven't really looked very hard. Getting a used handle would be the way to save some $$ on that.

I'm not sure which "rear rubber padding" you are talking about--if it's the pad on the engine bay side of the firewall, leave it out. It is most useful for trapping water against the firewall, promoting rust. If you're talking about the stuff on the cockpit side of the firewall, replace it with Dynamat or your favorite sound deadener, or leave it out and live with a bit more noise. If you're talking about the upholstered back pad that covers the firewall (and has the interior light in it), get yours reupholstered, or just cover the firewall with your choice of carpet.

I haven't seen arm rests from a different car used, but as long as you can do a bit of welding to put mounting points into your door's frame you should be able to use just about anything you like.

Realistically, used parts are your best value. Cruise the classifieds section looking for the bits you want. Also check on the Pelican Parts site; their Classifieds section isn't as big but does have some posts that aren't duplicated here.

For new parts, the "usual suspects" around here include Pelican, GPR, Tangerine Racing, Paragon ... Brad Mayeur at 914 Limited is relatively close to you--he's in western IL--so he might be a source as well. My favorite is Pelican, for reasons that are probably obvious.

I'll let others comment on good ol' George.

--DD