928 Interior Decorating and Improved Shifting - Version 2.0
 

I got lots of compliments on my interior decoration project described in the following thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/170073-928-interior-decorating-and-improved-shifting.html

But somehow I felt it was time to take things to the next level. So I decided to order an authentic wood kit for my car to replace the synthetic wood I already had. My initial plans was to order African Rose, which is not too dark, has a very warm tone to it, and is very lively. It had always been one of my favorites, and is very close to the factory rootwood color.

Then I found out that Jager had a special wood called "Bloody Burl" available in very limited quantity. In fact, there was only enough wood for two kits. And it was said to be very dark and very red. So I thought a wood that's dark and red could make a very nice contrast to my classic grey interior, and I ordered a kit sight unseen.

When it arrived, I really fell in love with its color, so when Roger Tyson called me a few days later to inquire about wood options for his black/red GTS, I offered him the second set. Can't wait to see how it turns out in his car!

Anyway, the kit sat in my garage for a few weeks before I finally got around to tear apart my center console and trace some slow vacuum actuator leaks. This was the time to fix, clean and redecorate the interior, and you can see the results below.

For demonstration purposes, I used all pieces of the 22-piece base kit, plus the seat switch surrounds and the new rear AC trim. The latter was of particular importance to me, because its thickness offers great protection for our delicate rear AC vents.

In order to make servicing of the AC control unit easy, I used rubber cement to attach the upper console trim piece. This way, I can remove and reattach it easily when needed - without any risk of damage to the wood. The trick is to put the rubber cement on both the back of the trim piece and the surfaces it will be attached to.

Following my philosophy of minimizing interior colors, I was thinking of adding a leather shift plate matching my interior color. However, in the end I decided to add a bit of contrast with an aluminum shifter plate. This would also go best with the silver Tip Shifter I planned to use.

Another goal of the "remodel" was futher enhancement of driving pleasure (in German: "Fahrvergnügen", or "Fahrspass"): I wanted to get rid of the slider in the factory shift plate, as it makes shifter movement real jerky. I used a spare shifter plate to dissect and install a custom dyed full leather boot. I drove the car for two days now, and can't believe what a difference this modification makes in shifter feel. Now it's even more fun to shift manually!!!

So here is the result. Let me know what you think!

PS: If you plan an interior upgrade for your car, please contact me. Based on your 928 model and interior coloring, we can find materials and products that enhance the beauty of your interior, and make it look more up-to-date. Most products I offer do not require any modifications to the car and can be removed without trace, if the need should ever arise.

And then, because I had so much fun, I decided to add a little bit of pizzaz to my engine compartment with the Engine Compartment Lettering for the Intake Manifold.

Similar letters are also available for the cam covers - in red, black, or chrome.

That turned out really well Nicole :thumbup:

Well done :cheers:

Paul

Nicole, it looks great. You have realy good taste when it comes to matching things to make them look factory:)

That looks every bit as good as you described Nicole!

The rear-AC covering is particularly nice, but your shifter mod is the best I've ever seen in one of these cars. You can tell a good modification easily- it looks factory, not "added on" and the shifter in particular fits this perfectly.

That shifter knob: Do you think they make one in champagne and brass instead of gray and silver? Where did you find this?

:bowdown:

N!

That looks absolutely AWESOME Nicole! I just ordered some more Jager stuff last week, including more interior pieces! Their stuff is first class all the way & they offer things for our sharks that aren't available anywhere else!

Nicole,
Awesome - Once I receive my leather dash and console from Paul I will install my set.
Well done.
Roger

That looks really nice. Did they always offer the rectangle center vent piece or is that a new option?

Nicole,

Looks good!!! I really like the shifter!!! :jumper:

Very sharp, Nicole! Are you going to hand out drool bibs at Sharktoberfest for people who want to ogle your interior? :p

Nicole--

Have you and Paul looked at matching wood inserts for the knobs in the console? The wood looks spectacular in your car, but... The pictures with the great wood inserts make the knobs for the fan, rear AC, Rear AC temp look way out of place. It was easy for the factory to settle on easy-to-match no-glare black. Now your new wood bits push you dangerously close to the edge of a very slippery slope. On that slope are the above-mentioned knobs, the slider knobs with mini-LED's embedded in the ends, and either a blanking plate for the radio or a trim piece that covers at least the outside frame for the DIN-sized perimeter.

Your choice of the extra-dark wood with red in it is excellent.


For contrast, I've been spending the last week+ of "spare time" refinishing the larger of the two wood garage doors. It's 18' wide, in a red cherry finish. It doesn't have quite the finish quality that your dash pieces have, though. It's hard to find 18' burls...

Yeah nice shifter........Where is that on your site? I couldn't find it at "hookedoncars" or the Jager site. ????

Very nice Nicole, can't wait to see it in person!

Looks terrific Nicole. Did you end up placing the trim at the back of the shfter area under the center consol piece? I'm assuming, to make mine look right, that is what I need to do. The red works out much better than I had imagined when you told me about it. Very impressive.

Nicole
Looks great.....I like it better than the medium dark wood you had before.....bummer there was only two kits!