Time to spruce the interior and front section, need suggestions, ideas !

Go for a one-color interior and (looking at new Ferraris and Lambos use) suede. The senter part of your chair could be stitched like a Koenigsegg/ Zonda/ Nurcielago's interior.

Photo of a Lambo.

F430

quote:

F430

THAT is one ugly, plain interior.

When you mention a stainless and billet theme, the Spyker comes to mind. A little OTT but I think a variant could work in a Pantera on a more subtle approach.

Agreed the F430 is no better than a stock Pantera interior.

Julian

Agree on the look of the Ferrari. Just used to show the fabric.
ALSO agree on the Spyker. That interior is pure sex. Has the same pattern that I like that you see on the Lambo. Wery retro. Especially do I like the Spykers gear-lever.

quote:

Agreed the F430 is no better than a stock Pantera interior.

In fact, I think our poor old cars' interiors look better than the F430.

Interiors are intensly personal. I don't personally care for the metallic inserts now popular, because in our Nevada where the sun shines a lot, the metal gets hot enough to cause 2nd degree burns on human skin.... black leather is also too warm for women in shorts. Maybe in Canada or such cooler places it would be OK.

I wonder whether just a few changes would be sufficient to improve the overall feel of the car for you - a shorter shifter and a new steering wheel are my initial thoughts to update things. If you change everything else but not those two items, I wonder if you'd feel it still seemed dated inside.

Found this website with interior shots from 50 high-end autos...

http://www.bmwblog.com/2008/10...uxury-cars-interior/

Brushed steel highlights when used judiciously can really complement the leather. Moving some of the switches down onto the console behind the shifter instead of having an ashtray also appeals to me, but that may be impractical depending on arm length, the engine hump, type of switches desired, and whether you rest your arm there when you're at 'cruising' speed.

This should be an interesting thread, keep us posted as you progress and gather ideas!

Hrmm, thanks so far. one interior that I do like is the one in DavidB 's pantera, to me it looks nice and modern.
the diamond stitching doesn't do it for me, sorry, and the Spyker is too much bling.The f430, while plain there are things I like about it, ( not sure which !)although, for some reason the black suade, i have a feeling will look dirty ? I could be wrong ! please tell me I am wrong !
Also any tips on what to do in the front boot ??

Thanks

quote:

one interior that I do like is the one in DavidB 's pantera, to me it looks nice and modern.

Agreed that David managed to perfectly capture the essence of the Pantera interior in an updated and modern look.

Julian

Yes he sure did. It is clean/ functional and modern looking, to someone who did not know, they could think it is a lateish model car's std interior.
That is what I want ! but don't want to offend him by copying !

can't i just 'take a mould !!':P

Go ahead and copy all you want. It's flattering.

I looked at hundreds of interiors and cherry picked them all. I stole ideas for switches, gauges, seats, leathers, trim, consoles and electronics from dozens of vendors and owners - from Vettes to Volvos.

I spent a year making my selection but just make sure YOU make the decisions. Don't let some interior shop start until you "sit in the car and mock it up over and over in cardboard until it fits you perfectly."

quote:

Also any tips on what to do in the front boot ??

After doing my rear bay with Diamond Liners truck bed coating, I've thought doing the front trunk in the same treatment might be practical. No need to worry about tearing or cutting the carpet, no need to worry too much about some brake fluid spilling.

I'm most likely going to do both sides of my trunk tub with the coating somewhere down the road, too.

Larry

Yes, David's interior is fantastic.

I also agree that it captures the essence of a DeTomaso with a style that is both updated and "classey" in a car deserving of such an interior.

He is a real gentleman and it appears he is prepared to share the details with you.

BTW - It looks even better "in the flesh" !

B.G.

Great discusison. I am planning a similar project and have been compiling pix of various interiors that I like. That said, nothing can come close to seeing some interior mods in person.

I have had the honor of sitting in David Berman's cat ... and it is, indeed, tastefully modern and beautiful.

There is another cat in the Tempe area that I looked at, which was equally gorgeous. Some pix to follow ...

I like the two-tone look of these seats, although I would steer away from the red.

I like this new use of space under the front hood ...

I would have to see this speaker set up in person ... but it does look like a good use of space.

Here's a few I like.