928 Ashtray Installation
 

Little did I know that one of the most critical and priority elements of restoring our 928 (according to my 19 year old daughter) would be replacing the original non-working stereo with something period correct that produced great sound. Well, maybe someday…

The original owner had a custom system installed when he took delivery in 1983 that included a Blaupunkt equalizer installed in the ashtray space. Part of the electrical system correction/evaluation has involved removing all the old non-working stereo components (nothing worked). And while I’m in no hurry to design and install something to replace it, I would like to purchase/install an original ashtray to plug one of the console holes.

My question to the Group is how the ashtray assembly secures to the console. The attached image doesn't seem to show any anchor points. And if there were, I’m certain the stereo installer removed them when he installed the equalizer. Are there any known options out there for securing the ashtray if this is the case?

Thanks,

Eric

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...dbebc031bb.jpg

Supposed to be two tabs in that hole, at 3 and 9 oclock.

You see matching screw holes on the tray itself.

Yours are broken off.

Parts needed for ashtray: http://www.928intl.com

Possible radio solution: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...982-928-a.html

If you don't smoke, there are a few options for putting a gauge or two in the ashtray space. Air-fuel meter & Boost are common in supercharged cars.
Oil temp is also a nice thing to know (I have one of those, but not in my ashtray).

I went the gauges panel route - AFM & Boost because of the supercharger, along with a couple of USB charging ports, and outside temp (but might change that to oil temp instead at some point).

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...c9cd3346d4.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/rennlis...7b5e6f8811.jpg

Where did you get the gauge panel setup, Petza?
My console is rough, and as a non smoker, I'm tempted to do something along those lines.

I fabricated it using Plexiglas, then covered it with the CF vinyl. Angled the gauges toward me with some gauge angling accessories I found somewhere (ebay / Amazon).

Thanks for the responses and options.

We're trying to return our 928 to its original dash layout look (as close as possible). And so, I'm going to be focused on finding a solution to restoring or engineering new ashtray mount points. Other than a cosmetic covering for the hole in the dash, the area behind the ashtray door would be for mounting usb ports and an iPod connection point.

I've looked at the parts schematic diagrams, and from what I can gather, the ashtray mount tabs are part of the console structure itself and not available separately. Other than sourcing another brown console frame with the tabs, does anyone have any ideas for engineering a new mounting solution?

On the days like today, when I'm wondering why the hell I continue with this crazy idea of restoring and owning a 928, I am encouraged by JFK's words: "...not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills...". It's either that, or start drinking heavily...

Other than fabricating new tabs, no.

Without looking closely, I'm just guessing.
But I think you could cut a couple of fairly large tabs, bend over the tops & drill holes. You'd want a fair amount of material going down the sides inside the console structure. Bond (glue) it to the inside of the console.

It's amazing how the little stuff can drive us nuts.

It's equally amazing how 'soul-satisfying' a simple fix for a little thing can be.

I don't know if the original tabs are metal or plastic, but if they're plastic, I've been having good luck making tabs and doing plastic repairs with super glue + baking soda. Google it. "Q-bond" is another alternative.

The originals are plastic. I ended up replacing the whole centre console piece which addressed both the broken tabs and also the holes on the side left from a car phone install.