(with corrected links)
Interior & Seat Upholstery:
The seats are still clad in the original black basket weave upholstery and are rundown. Actually, the drivers side is really bad, but the other seats are tired, but “ok” (as in not torn). See picture below, which does show the full extent of the tear on the drivers seat. I also planned to paint the gear shift and e-brake handle. The door panels are also pretty worn with the door pocket elastic pretty stretched out, the panels are missing the vapor barrier behind it and missing many clips. The original floor covering is a combination of carpets around the edges with molded rubber floor mats over the front and rear. The one in the rear has broken up into 3 pieces, while the one in front is in better shape though still with some tears. The top and headliner need to be replaced, but I intend to do that last – once I get the car mechanically into shape. The speedo has dust inside and the switches/knobs have faded and the fan switch is missing. The convertible also has a special rear view mirror which has an interior light integrated and the mirror can be raised to get better view when the top is down. This has been missing since we got the car in 75.
Pic of interior:
The simple things to do were cleaning the switches, grab handles etc and then repainted the faded markings. Later on I was able to get new inserts with markings for the switches. I used the ones for the fresh air, but kept my painted ones for the headlights and wipers as they looked better.
Switch knobs before/after:
Grab handles before/after:
I cleaned out the interior door panels, reglued them with 3M #77 spray, put in new elastic for the sagging side pockets, new door clips and seals, installed a vinyl vapor barrier with 3M #75 spray which gives a “post-it” like tackiness that allows the barrier to be removed an replaced without tearing (very useful product).
I then moved on to seat covers. I wanted to get exact replacements so I called around. There seem to be only 2 manufacturers remaining TMI and Topline (Both in the US). However, since my beetle is a RHD Euro model, the seats are diff from the US ones where the seats had headrests starting in 68. So, I had to special order it. Santa brought me the replacement covers for Christmas.
I started with the driver side seat:
On pulling off the covers, I discovered that the frame/springs for the back rest on both front seats were broken and distorted. So I had to straighten out, find a welding shop and have welds put back in.
I had not ordered replacement foam, so I intended to reuse the foam (actually a rubberized horsehair like material). On the seat bottoms, I used some burlap to prevent the springs from cutting into the foam and added some more foam using sheet foam. After some trial and error, they came out looking pretty good. For covers that only cost about $120 for a set, I think the results were great. While I had the seat apart, I took the opportunity to clean and repaint the adjsut mechanism and to install new plastic slider bushings, etc.
Here's a pic of the interior with the new seats, painted gearshift & e-brake, redone door panels etc.
Pic of the Dash
Some other pics
Byas