Black aftermarket carpet, Binding and heal pad color Options

[smg914]

Is it me? Or does anyone else agree with me that the binding (and heal pad) used on all the aftermarket carpet kits, the color is way off. Right now I’m specifically looking at the Perlon mats or German Felt mats used in a 1970 914-6. To me, the new kits stick out like a sore thumb because of the binding and I think they are unacceptable. I don’t think the 356 concourse wennies would accept this issue on their beloved speedster. What say you?

I found this photo online as an example….. unacceptable

[smg914]

I feel the binding and heal pad should be more of a medium dark gray
Is it that no one can find a source for the correct color match?

[wonkipop]

more than problems with edging and heel pads in aftermarket kits if you are fussy at concours levels of original duplication. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

problem #1. try finding any of the original loop piles. simply unobtainium.
esp the brown. which i think the 6s did get along with the 4s.
you can get the more standard fuzz stuff. whatever it was called.

most aftermarket edging is much wider than factory original thin edging.

heel pads not even close.

i had to make rhd carpets for mine.
i managed to get a length off a roll of the original brown loop pile from porsche australia 30 years ago. i flinched at the price even then. glad i swallowed and bought it.
not thinking for one minute at the time it would become extinct. i got no idea where they sourced if from. the spare parts guy at hamiltons was a legendary figure. long gone.

i managed to find a local upholstry guy here whose name i got of a mate with an old jag and he reproduced the super thin edging with the right level of german indifference to perfection.
i carefully detached the original heel pad and relocated it for right hand drive configuration.

generally speaking high quality aftermarket carpet sets, leaving aside the problem of matching original carpet material are in fact too high a quality? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)

this is a problem the 356 speedster guys have if you ask me.
over-restored? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer.gif)
i've seen an untouched and scruffy old speedster here that a wealthy chinese guy brings out every now and then just to give the 356 guys the sh3ts.
the carpets are originals (as is everything on it dents and all) and similar level of workmanship to 914s.
most restored cars are way too good?

[wonkipop]

I feel the binding and heal pad should be more of a medium dark gray
Is it that no one can find a source for the correct color match?

likely they can't find a source.
in the too hard basket.

the materials are actually not porsche materials.
and i feel sure its the same for 6s as for 4s as all were trimmed to completion at karmann.

all of it is the same as what when in the 411s and 412s - top luxury spec versions.
high end VW spec materials.
the beetles and the type 3 models did not get it. at least when it comes to the pile carpets.
if you were going to find it anywhere it would be lying around in a german warehouse somewhere in terms of raw materials.

although having said that the upholstry guy who did mine managed to find an exact match for the brown vinyl edging to original. he was something special, he seemed to know sources for everything and had stacks of old material lying around in his workshop.
never threw anything out type of guy.

[smg914]

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts.
Tony in San Diego sent me a photo showing a binding that looks pretty close to correct.
Certainly better then black!

[smg914]

Yesterday I received a 9 piece, German perlon carpet set with the correct heel pad and binding color on the mats and the piece behind the drivers seat. Made by Tony at Autobahn Interiors. I couldn’t be happier.