AZSC

Hello...new member here-

I just purchased a '79 911 SC Targa. It is mechanically sound (82k box A miles), however the interior needs some help. I need to replace the carpeting and recover the front (sport) seats.
Is domestic cut pile OK, or should I pony up the extra $$ for sliverknit? Any recommendations on a vendor and cost?
For the seat recovering, any ideas there? Local uph shops want $1000-1800 to do the pair (all inclusive).

FYI--the exterior is grand prix white and interior is champagne (saddle).
Thanks, and I look forward to getting to know everyone...

Tom F

Try Autos International in Calif. Definitely go with the expensive carpet, but avoid doing the complete set. For 99% of the cars, you can just replace the carpet on the floor, and rent a pro cleaning machine to do the rest. It's very hard to match the factory installation of the carpets. I have seen very few that I couln't immediately spot as replacements, even when the correct material is used. You should ship the seats to a specialist. There is a lot of work that usually needs doing under the skin, like springs and pads. Autos International is highly recommended by all the cognoscenti. Also, with a Targa, you will probably do well to ship them the rear parcel shelf, if your car has one. They really get trashed in the sun. If you have rear speakers, then it's not as often necessary to rebuild that part of the interior.

AZSC

Thanks Tom. It seems Autos Int'l has a good rep.
When you say rent a pro carpet cleaner, what do you mean? Do you mean take the existing carpet pieces out and use a home carpet steam cleaner?

Ed Bighi

Autos International will have everything you need. And if you want someone to put it all in, the best guy in all of Phoenix is Chris over at VIP Interiors. He is at 1139 E Curry just off of Scottsdale Road. He is good enough to get everything that the Schumacher Mercedes and all the other high line dealers need done. He also does all the interior work for Scott Gauthier's collection. He is the kind of guy that you can pretty much leave your car with and walk away without a bit of worry. He is also an all around nice guy. I just finished redoing the headliner for my mother's 500SL and it looks like factory. I also had a back seat redone in my Audi V8 and it came out great. Soon I will be taking my sister's targa there for seat reupholstery and recarpet. Excellent work for a good price.

And if you are new to Porsche ownership, I hope to see you at the local PCA events.
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

jlkline

Stak away from the domestic pile...it detracts from the appearance and quality IMHO.

I like Tom's idea on the selective replacement of the carpets.

If you are trying to acheive perfection, go the for the reuphoster route.

If you are just trying to have a nice daily driver, trying to find nice used stuff, here on rennlist, or just calling around to the dismantlers is a good option. You might be pleasantly suprised. I use Partsheaven quite a bit. They seem to be very selective about what they sell you, and I have NEVER received anything from them that wasn't first rate and well priced.

The color of your interior isn't as common as others, like Black, so the supply of used carpets and seats out there could be somewhat limited. A decent set of sport seats typically goes for around 600-800 bucks, which is cheaper than recovering. The driver bolster area is usually a problem, because the bolsters are high, they get a lot of wear from getting in / out of the car.

Also, you might even get away with repairing the seats by replacing worn area sections depending on condition (I'm guessing that the Arizona sun, like Texas, takes its toll on the interior and exterior!), but the color match might be difficult. so this may not be an option.

Just some ideas worht considering, depending on your objectives.

AZSC

Thanks for the quick feedback. Yes Ed, Chris at VIP was recommended (he was the $1,800 estimate in my initial post) by the guys at Stuttgart. I will join PCA in the near future, thanks for the invite.
Thanks for the good info JL. I'm not looking for perfection but just a freshened look and rid of the existing musty smell. Regarding the seats, you are right about the bolsters and inserts taking the brunt of abuse. The backs of the buckets and rear seats are perfect, although pretty dry and brittle from 23 yrs in the SW sun (car was originally sold from a (the) dealer in San Diego). You are right about Champagne being an being uncommon color, catch-22 there I guess...

steve911

Kevin--
congratulations on your new purchase.

FWIW, let me add another data point to your deliberations. I have an '85 Targa which spent its life in OK/TX before I bought it and brought it to northern CA. Needless to say, the seats were in dire need, after so much time in the southwest sun.

I went to a local, highly-recommended upholstery shop and had them redo the front seats. I paid something like you $1800 (can't remember the exact amount, but my recollection is that the vast majority of the price was for materials; labor was a small ($300-$400 component).

New seats - soft and smooth:

Old seats - hard, cracked and well-worn:


Anyway, I couldn't be happier. The new seats have made a huge change (along with the addition of a 930S steering wheel), so the car definitely doesn't look to be 17+ years old.

Mine's not a daily driver, but I want to feel good about it. I was contemplating having the back seats redone - the same shop talked me out of it, suggesting instead to have them redyed and saving big bucks. (haven't done that yet, but the thought is there).

good luck in your decision.

AZSC

Thanks for the pix Steve, your car is immaculate. The wheel makes a HUGE difference. Actually, I can get color-matched leather and vinyl materials from Autos Int'l for ~$450 (both seats), and the local shops are wanting $750-1000 for labor. Still, if I can get reupholstered for &lt;$1500 I think I'm doing OK.

jrb964

Another guy in the Phoenix area is Terry at the Top shop, 16th St and Indian School. He's done a number of things for me. My '80SC is due for new seats also, and he's quoted $1,800 for both. I may give VIP a try also.