Discussion
Hello everybody!
I hope this message finds everybody safe, well and healthy!
I've been giving my 1997 GTS some much needed TLC recently and hopefully it will go for paint and some interior work in the not too distant future, but I have a couple of questions.
Firstly it seems the bodyshop I was planning on using is going to let me down, so does anybody know of a good one, reasonable on price and within the north west?
Secondly, has anybody done any interior modifications or upgrades that are actually nice and tasteful rather than some of the awful things I've seen on Google etc? The dash is really disappointing so the trimmer has recommended alcantara, but I think I'm swaying more to a leather type vinyl in black, just to give a nicer feel, but subtle. I've thought about snake print for the handbrake and gear stick gators, but again possibly just in black so it's very subtle. I'd love to redo the centre console area with a new headunit which includes built in sat nav, but I'm not sure that this would work with the car as it might be too much modern technology and detract from the pure driving experience of the older cars.
Any thoughts, pictures, advice or anything that you may have would be highly appreciated.
Thank you and take care!
I hope this message finds everybody safe, well and healthy!
I've been giving my 1997 GTS some much needed TLC recently and hopefully it will go for paint and some interior work in the not too distant future, but I have a couple of questions.
Firstly it seems the bodyshop I was planning on using is going to let me down, so does anybody know of a good one, reasonable on price and within the north west?
Secondly, has anybody done any interior modifications or upgrades that are actually nice and tasteful rather than some of the awful things I've seen on Google etc? The dash is really disappointing so the trimmer has recommended alcantara, but I think I'm swaying more to a leather type vinyl in black, just to give a nicer feel, but subtle. I've thought about snake print for the handbrake and gear stick gators, but again possibly just in black so it's very subtle. I'd love to redo the centre console area with a new headunit which includes built in sat nav, but I'm not sure that this would work with the car as it might be too much modern technology and detract from the pure driving experience of the older cars.
Any thoughts, pictures, advice or anything that you may have would be highly appreciated.
Thank you and take care!
Some Points to note: In General, if you change the car from stock it often de-values the car.
In the last 10 months Viper sale prices particularly in the USA have had a massive increase! So there is something to be said for keeping the interior stock should you ever wish to sell the car on.
Now my car is a keeper and I lean towards the race look, so I have fitted interior roll bar 5 point harnesses and have had my dash hydro dipped in a carbon transfer then satin coated. I have also added an engine start button in place of the cigarette lighter socket and moved the socket into the roof of the rear bulkhead cubby box. I have also added a flip out sat nav multi media unit with back up camera.
I feel its tastefully done, but purists would likely be looking for a stock car.
So adding leather etc would be making the car personal to you and de-value it. Parts are becoming increasingly rare, a headlight now exchanging hands for over £2000! because they are none around. windscreens are non existent for Gen 2 Coupes.
You now own a True Classic car so Unless you plan on selling in a couple of years I would leave the car dead stock unless its something you can simply unbolt.
Mark
President VOA UK
This is what I did to mine, the dash has to be sanded flat before the hydro dipping process can begin so there is no going back. Sat Nav media system has been installed with Zero damage to the factory wiring (harness adapter made up).
Like i said, this is not for everyone, but I don't ever plan to sell.
In the last 10 months Viper sale prices particularly in the USA have had a massive increase! So there is something to be said for keeping the interior stock should you ever wish to sell the car on.
Now my car is a keeper and I lean towards the race look, so I have fitted interior roll bar 5 point harnesses and have had my dash hydro dipped in a carbon transfer then satin coated. I have also added an engine start button in place of the cigarette lighter socket and moved the socket into the roof of the rear bulkhead cubby box. I have also added a flip out sat nav multi media unit with back up camera.
I feel its tastefully done, but purists would likely be looking for a stock car.
So adding leather etc would be making the car personal to you and de-value it. Parts are becoming increasingly rare, a headlight now exchanging hands for over £2000! because they are none around. windscreens are non existent for Gen 2 Coupes.
You now own a True Classic car so Unless you plan on selling in a couple of years I would leave the car dead stock unless its something you can simply unbolt.
Mark
President VOA UK
This is what I did to mine, the dash has to be sanded flat before the hydro dipping process can begin so there is no going back. Sat Nav media system has been installed with Zero damage to the factory wiring (harness adapter made up).
Like i said, this is not for everyone, but I don't ever plan to sell.
Gassing Station | Vipers | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff