1998 Boxster Project - Complete Restoration

[drbodzin]

Been busy working on the interior of the car. But in the meantime, here's the new P O R S C H E Badge installed.

[drbodzin]

I spent the entire weekend working on the Boxster.

Here is a list of what I did:

1. Installed New Stereo Head Unit
2. Installed New Amp
3. Installed Sub-Woofer
4. Installed Back Up Camera
5. Installed 4-Stalk for OBC
6. Installed Wiper Intermittent Switch
7. Installed Wood Trim
8. Installed Silver Gauge Rings

I will post more on each of these later. For now, I just want to show you the DIY I posted for installing 6.5" Door Speakers using the OEM Baffle.

DIY 6.5 Inch Door Speakers Using OEM Baffles

[drbodzin]

My last post where I listed all the stuff I did this past weekend submitted before I was done.

I also did the following:

1. Installed Short Shifter
2. Installed Race Pedals
3. Installed New Hand Brake
4. Moved AC to Lower Console to allow for Dual Din Head Unit

Still waiting on my seats to get finished. Hopefully this week!

Here are a few shots before I reinstalled all the interior.







Here is how she is looking now.





I mentioned in my last post that I dyed the carpet. I think I found a new favorite product. The carpet dye from www.LeatherMagic.com is AMAZING. And they have Porsche Colors. http://leathermagic.com/Pages/porschecolrchart.htm

My carpets literally look new again!

Here is the rear carpet with half dyed back to Savanna Beige (the darker half). See how faded it was. Its so easy to use too. Just spray it on the carpet (after you clean the carpet and its dry). Then use a bristle brush to brush it in. Once it dries, I used a wire brush to brush the carpet fibers. It is AWESOME!

[BruceH]

I was going to mention your carpet looks new! Fantastic job!

[tanque55]

That's really impressive. You truly have a beautiful ride. Can I ask what you put into your car, ( rough estimate)?

[jccash]

Looking forward to seeing the new seats.

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by tanque55

That's really impressive. You truly have a beautiful ride. Can I ask what you put into your car, ( rough estimate)?

Several forum members have asked this same question, so here you all go

Get ready to spend some $$$ for this type of project

Cost of Body Parts

• Front Bumper and Side Skirts: $1650
• Hood: $800
• Mirrors: $450
• Wing: $150
• Headlights: $1,000
• Tail-lights: $180
• 3rd Brake Light: $100
• Wheels & Tires: $2900

Paint & Body Labor: $8,900

And then there's the interior.

• New Leather for Seats: $1400
• New Top with Glass Window: $600
• Labor to Install Both: $600
• 3-Spoke Steering Wheel: $600
• Wood Trim Parts and Kit: $600
• New Floor Mats: $100

Stereo & Navigation System:

• Head Unit: $600
• Dash, Door & Rear Speakers: $200
• Amp: $300
• Sub-Woofer: $300

Probably another $1,000 in misc stuff.

Plus $1,000's on engine upgrades and mods.

You get the idea though. Of course since the KBB value of these cars are so low, you have to really want to do the project in order to justify that kind of money for these cars. Me personally, I LOVE IT!

[particlewave]

$23,430?!

That's bananas Doc! Now that's dedication! Nice results, though

[BruceH]

The results speak for themselves! It is a lot of money but if you are planning to keep it, then it really isn't. Love the results!

[jccash]

Originally Posted by BruceH

The results speak for themselves! It is a lot of money but if you are planning to keep it, then it really isn't. Love the results!

I love Docs 986. I'm thinking of selling my Harley Street Glide that I've upgraded and doing the same to my Boxster. Inspirational.

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by particlewave

$23,430?!

That's bananas Doc! Now that's dedication! Nice results, though

I am crazy But its still WAYYYYY cheaper than a new 981. And I think its a nicer ride.

[drbodzin]

So, today was a big day for my Boxster project. Finally got my seats back and installed them right away so I could take her for a ride.

Here are the stock seats in the back of my truck. Taking them to the upholstery shop. I know the leatherseats.com seat kits can be installed as a DIY, but I chose to let a professional handle it.



And here they are with the new LeatherSeats.com leather installed. AWESOME!!!
Oh, and they feel so soft too!



And a few pics of them installed.

Next week I bring the car back to the shop to get the new top installed. In the meantime, I'll have her on display at the California Festival of Speed this weekend in Fontana, CA.

[BruceH]

Now I'm jealous! Love the seats

[Crono0001]

Wow, that's some serious dedication to throw that kinda $$ on a 986 Boxster. It's something I want to do, but not that extreme. Makes me jealous

[Skrapmot]

Was looking at those two two-tone seat covers myself, as I have the same color interior. Is the brown a good match? I have the full leather interior and I noticed a poster on another forum didn't like the color match on the savannah.

BTW, thanks for the tip on the carpet, I'm gonna order some tonight to clean up my faded engine cover.

[drbodzin]

Originally Posted by Skrapmot

Was looking at those two two-tone seat covers myself, as I have the same color interior. Is the brown a good match? I have the full leather interior and I noticed a poster on another forum didn't like the color match on the Savanna.

BTW, thanks for the tip on the carpet, I'm gonna order some tonight to clean up my faded engine cover.

The color match is great. They sent me samples so I could compare them to the Savanna. I found their "tan" color was the best match. I upgraded the black to their Ecstasy Black which is a much nicer leather. Also had them do the leather instead of vinyl for the sides and back of the seat. I should also mention that I had to send them the Rubber Grommet sewn into the back of the seat leather that secures the leather to the seat (in the u-shaped grove). They said the Porsche OEM rubber was the best. So I tore it off the old seats and sent it to them. I don't have the full leather interior, so I was matching against the savannah plastic. Although the door air-bag covers where savanna leather and it matched that pretty good. I've since dyed the covers black though.

[jccash]

Thank you so much for posting your pictures of the seats. This is very helpful and I think you should send those pictures to leatherseats.com so they can send them to potential customers. They did not have that sample pic for a 986 when I wrote them.

[jccash]

[QUOTE=Skrapmot;335057]Was looking at those two two-tone seat covers myself, as I have the same color interior. Is the brown a good match? I have the full leather interior and I noticed a poster on another forum didn't like the color match on the savannah.

I saw that post where the poster was selling his covers. I'm not sure they are the same color and material as the ones in these pictures. My 986 is the same color as Docs. I was thinking of just going with Black seat covers from leatherseats.com but now after seeing these pictures I might simply do the same thing.

[Skrapmot]

I really digging two tone, I'll think I'll see if they can send me a swatch. I'm not sure if I could get away with a colored crest though, my ride is a bit more stock, but it would be cool if they could emboss the leather with a Porsche logo though.

[Skrapmot]

[QUOTE=jccash;335084]

Originally Posted by Skrapmot

Was looking at those two two-tone seat covers myself, as I have the same color interior. Is the brown a good match? I have the full leather interior and I noticed a poster on another forum didn't like the color match on the savannah.

I saw that post where the poster was selling his covers. I'm not sure they are the same color and material as the ones in these pictures. My 986 is the same color as Docs. I was thinking of just going with Black seat covers from leatherseats.com but now after seeing these pictures I might simply do the same thing.

I think I found those on EBay for $900 and the brown does look a bit off.