Interior ideas - leather, pleather, vinyl, Teflon, what's your plan?

[ktm]

My son and I are super excited about building the 818. We love the shape, look, and sound of the exterior pictures we have seen so far.

Must say we were shocked when we got a look at the interior. Granted we haven't seen the car in person, but the pictures we have seen make the interior look like an after thought.

Gotta figure bare aluminum panels will make the car feel more like a frying pan on any slightly warm day, what are your plans for the interior?

Dynamat
Carpet
Leather
Teflon for added fun in the turns

I don't have grand visions in this department, looking forward to early builds for inspiration!

[Mechie3]

I might try to CNC some parts (like the door indent) if I can get my hands on some inexpensive material. Maybe CNC some foam to make some fiberglass or carbon molds? I've never done that though, so that would be a long term project after the car is completed with the supplied sheet metal. Something like the Exige interior would be fine with a combo of soft materials and aluminum.

The only thing I'm not super psyched about is the riveted in panels. My Fmod has an aluminum inside, but it's an open wheel race only car so it looks fine. For a street driven car, it's a little lackluster.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2004/2004-Lotus-Exige-Interior-1280x960.jpg

[David Hodgkins]

The S was definitely rushed for the show. I forgot to ask Dave what else - if anything - would be included with the kit, fit-and-finish wise.

I'll definitely be looking to upgrade my interior and will create a trunk. I'm starting to think this will be my daily driver. For the price of the cheapest Honda Civic, why not?

:)

[longislandwrx]

lightweight is the key for me, so I do like the minimal design of the interior.

that being said I don't want to feel like a hotdog in a oatmeal tube lined with foil either.

The door liners I will probably replace with some sheet carbon fiber. The indents I will not need on the R but if I was building an S I would probably wrap that insert in some alcantera. Maybe use two colors for some bling. 2 yds would probably be enough to do the whole interior.


I've used this Ozite in the past for carpet

http://www.yourautotrim.com/80wideozite.html

it's super stretchy and flexible and still looks great. Easy to get a good look even for a guy like me.

[RM1SepEx]

Consider the interior a "blank canvass" I have plenty of Ideas, including Fatmat, thin foam and vinyl or leather... I'm thinking thin exotic wood on the dash with a stereo and laser engraved switch IDs etc... perhaps some graphics. Could add some for accents on the doors. Jesper said we would get trunk liner aluminum of some sort...

[PhyrraM]

I would think that once the 'evolutionary work' on the panels is done an inexpensive inner door card - to be covered however the builder chooses - would be a no-brainer.

'Evolutionary work' is a quote from Dave from the Open House video. I took that to possibly mean that they are still working on non-fiberglass, lighter weight body.



FWIW, I think the dash panel itself looks great (possibly the best looking piece on the car), but the rest of the interior clashes on basic design. I could deal with the riveted aluminum much better if the dash panel wasn't so pretty.

[RM1SepEx]

they are continuing to work on the plastic panels, they will arrive before a different gel coat color... as per Dave...

[bnr32jason]

I'm doing a white 818 with red interior. I'll be doing the following:

- Full black carpet with red floor mats
- Black leather (pleather perhaps) door cards with red Alcantara inserts
- Red cloth bucket seats, probably Corbeau FX1 Pro with black 5pt harness
- Black dash with red accents
- FatMat sound deadener on the floor just to mitigate that "inside a tin can" sound that you get when gravel hits the bottom.
- Full SpeedHut gauge set

One project that I'm going to be working on is to completely eliminate the turn signal and wiper stalks and transfer those to buttons and switches on the wheel and dash. I'm a big video game/sim racer so I've got a few contacts that make very nice button plates for popular aftermarket wheels, then it's just a matter of wiring it all in.

No permanent stereo although I will carry my bluetooth enabled iPod and a decent portable bluetooth speaker.

[wleehendrick]

decent portable bluetooth speaker.

Good luck finding one you can hear in an open car with no muffler!

I plan on a fairly basic audio system, but that will provide decent sound in the 818: a single DIN digital media headunit (USB and/or iPod), a small class D amp powering 5.25" component speakers in the door, and perhaps a low-profile sub behind the seat.

[wallace18]

IMO they were trying to make the car as light as possible. Carpet and such add weight. It is an open canvas for all to make their own.

[bnr32jason]

I'm not concerned with hearing music while driving, but it would be nice for rest stops or whatever else. Also once the top is on it should be fine. I'm not looking for anything loud really.

[RM1SepEx]

headrest speakers...

[Mechie3]

One project that I'm going to be working on is to completely eliminate the turn signal and wiper stalks and transfer those to buttons and switches on the wheel and dash. I'm a big video game/sim racer so I've got a few contacts that make very nice button plates for popular aftermarket wheels, then it's just a matter of wiring it all in.


I'd be interested in seeing that. I have the WRX wheel without the airbag right now. It's a perfect open spot to machine up a center plate capable of holding buttons, knobs, and switches.

[07FIREBLADE]

This is my whole game plan in a nutshell. Only difference is a permanent radio and carbon hood/humps. Cant wait to see your build.

[07FIREBLADE]

I'm doing a white 818 with red interior. I'll be doing the following:

- Full black carpet with red floor mats
- Black leather (pleather perhaps) door cards with red Alcantara inserts
- Red cloth bucket seats, probably Corbeau FX1 Pro with black 5pt harness
- Black dash with red accents
- FatMat sound deadener on the floor just to mitigate that "inside a tin can" sound that you get when gravel hits the bottom.
- Full SpeedHut gauge set

One project that I'm going to be working on is to completely eliminate the turn signal and wiper stalks and transfer those to buttons and switches on the wheel and dash. I'm a big video game/sim racer so I've got a few contacts that make very nice button plates for popular aftermarket wheels, then it's just a matter of wiring it all in.

No permanent stereo although I will carry my bluetooth enabled iPod and a decent portable bluetooth speaker.


This is my exact plan only difference is a carbon aero package with maybe a carbon hood. And a permanent radio. Can wait for your build.

[BipDBo]

lightweight is the key for me, so I do like the minimal design of the interior.

that being said I don't want to feel like a hotdog in a oatmeal tube lined with foil either.


I'm with you. Weight is key. Hard surfaces are fine with me, but heat and reflection is a possible issue. I don't want to be blinded when the sun reflects off of the sheet metal and I don't want to burn my arm on the top edge of the door.

Could these problems be solved simply with paint? Just powder coat the inside surfaces of the interior pieces before you rivet them in. You could even use aerosol can Plasti-dip. It comes in various colors, including white.

[bnr32jason]

I'd be interested in seeing that. I have the WRX wheel without the airbag right now. It's a perfect open spot to machine up a center plate capable of holding buttons, knobs, and switches.

It should all be reasonably simple, the only thing I haven't quite figured out is if I'll be able to get self-canceling turn signals. If not it will just have to be motorcycle style with manual cancel.

[Mechie3]

It should all be reasonably simple, the only thing I haven't quite figured out is if I'll be able to get self-canceling turn signals. If not it will just have to be motorcycle style with manual cancel.

My wifes 2011 Mini cooper S has ecu controlled canceling turn signals, not a mechanical toggle. It uses electric power steering so it probably reads an encoder to determine when you've made enough of a turn to shut off the blinker.

[joshuo]

One project that I'm going to be working on is to completely eliminate the turn signal and wiper stalks and transfer those to buttons and switches on the wheel and dash. I'm a big video game/sim racer so I've got a few contacts that make very nice button plates for popular aftermarket wheels, then it's just a matter of wiring it all in.

I love the idea! How will you keep the wire bundle from becoming a mess when the wheel turns? Do you plan on adding wires to the stock clock spring (slip ring as some call it)?

[tirod]

The Coupe guys have the same issue - it was a prototype, unlike the Roadster, there never was an interior to go by. My suggestion, take a hint from the street rodder crowd, look to what you can incorporate from existing interiors already on the market.

I've been staring at elements of my '99 Forester dash, and it looks like a lot of it would fit right in. My daughters Legacy, neat rear carpet with sound insulation, might even fit the rear of the Coupe. Point being, you can go as far as you want. Racerboy bare aluminum, to fully upholstered custom dash with everything late model in it - including a rear camera, gps, etc. Plenty of pics here and on TOS, surf around and enjoy.

After the intial surge of topless cars is satisfied, the hard top will be out for those living above the Mason-Dixon line who want to drive in four seasons. We'll see a lot more cars with full interiors then, heater, heated seats, etc. Most of the better ideas will come from cars driven in snow states, because of the need and commitment - just like the street rods.

[bnr32jason]

I love the idea! How will you keep the wire bundle from becoming a mess when the wheel turns? Do you plan on adding wires to the stock clock spring (slip ring as some call it)?

To be honest with you, I don't know, but it's going to be the same way that people do it for video game steering wheels. Like I said, I'm fairly connected in the sim racing community so I'm sure I can get someone to do it for me. I think I'm going to do that traction control system that people are talking about on here, and it would be cool to have a switch to pick which traction setting I want.

One good thing is I'll be using the JDM STI Spec-C steering rack which is only 2 turns lock to lock, so I won't have to worry too much.

[RM1SepEx]

Hell mine is getting heated seats and I'm not driving it in the winter...

[wleehendrick]

Hell mine is getting heated seats and I'm not driving it in the winter...

Heated seats are the only climate control I'm planning.

Heating and AC don't do a lot in an open cockpit, obviously. My wife has a convertible, and in our climate, I've found a seat heater and wind deflector is all I need to be comfortable pretty much year-round with the top down. The low seating and speed humps in the 818 should eliminate a good deal of cockpit turbulence/buffeting.

I'm anxious to see the soft-top, but I'm thinking all I really need is simple bikini top, like has been discussed, from the windshield to roll-bar to keep the sun off on really hot days, and for a bit of coverage in case of rain. (although during our short rainy season, I'll primarily be driving our Audi).

[Mechie3]

in our climate, I've found a seat heater and wind deflector is all I need to be comfortable pretty much year-round with the top down. .

I had to check your location, and chuckled. I've only gone once this year, but the last 3 years I've gone to Orange County, CA about 8 times a year for work. It would be 65 out and people are huddled together under propane space heaters wearing sweatshirts while I'm in a t-shirt talking about how nice the weather is.

Another thing I want to try (long term project) is replacing the door handles with red straps a la porsche spyder. Just don't know if it's worth the time and effort. My donor already came with the chrome door handles.

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s44/sburrell151/Porsche-Boxster_Spyder_2010_800x600.jpg

[wleehendrick]

I had to check your location, and chuckled. I've only gone once this year, but the last 3 years I've gone to Orange County, CA about 8 times a year for work. It would be 65 out and people are huddled together under propane space heaters wearing sweatshirts while I'm in a t-shirt talking about how nice the weather is.

Although I've been in San Diego over 20 years, I'm originally from New England, so I guess my blood's a bit thicker than most of the natives. What counts as "a nice spring day" in the North-East and Mid-West brings the winter coats out in SoCal!



Another thing I want to try (long term project) is replacing the door handles with red straps a la porsche spyder.


I really like the Spyder, and am also looking at it for some inspiration for customizaiton (door pulls, bikini top, etc...)

[Kalstar]

It is a $9999.00 kit, they wanted light weight for the scales and it is a blank canvas. What else does one expect?

Make it your own for not much coin, adds a few lbs, turn up the boost and do it all on the cheap. Sounds perfect to me.

[FFR-ADV]

Maybe some of the current Factory Five vendors will offer upgrades for those who are interested?

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/content.php?124-vendors

Maybe this vendor or one of the other vendors might be interested?

http://www.ffcars.com/products/herb.htm

Cheers!

[RM1SepEx]

it is a $9999.00 kit, they wanted light weight for the scales and it is a blank canvas. What else does one expect?

Make it your own for not much coin, adds a few lbs, turn up the boost and do it all on the cheap. Sounds perfect to me.

+1 bingo

[RelfF2]

I like the basic/racy/bare interior, but for heat and sound purposes I would want to cover the door cards and coat the exposed floor panels. I also want to use a decent amount of DynoMat or similar product, etc. For a white car I'm thinking red carpet, red seats, and the rest black. For a blue car i'm thinking all black.

I did have a question for those that saw the red SEMA car. Did that car also have the intrusion into the foot wells I've marked below? Its hard to tell from the pictures...
1852218523

[wleehendrick]

I like the basic/racy/bare interior, but for heat and sound purposes I would want to cover the door cards and coat the exposed floor panels.

Agreed, the bare Al has a racy, almost near aviation, design aesthetic, but it's not suitable for topless use in the CA sun... ouch!. Extra carpet for the floor is no biggie, but I don't know if I can craft a good looking door panel, which is my only disappointment with what's being provided.


the intrusion into the foot wells

I like it... dead pedal!

[RelfF2]

Yeah, I thought about that. The drivers side might be fine as a dp, but it still looks like there is more complicated geometry down there compared to the red car, but maybe the red car had that too.

[Frank818]

My plan is to do everything in suede, dash, parts of the seats, maybe knob, e-brake, door panels, S/W.
That reminds me, I haven't added this cost on my list! Oh damn... loll

[Turboguy]

Interior ideas - leather, pleather, vinyl, Teflon, what's your plan?

Aluminum.


Except, of course, for all the areas that will be Carbon.

[Turboguy]

My plan is to do everything in suede, dash, parts of the seats, maybe knob, e-brake, door panels, S/W.
That reminds me, I haven't added this cost on my list! Oh damn... loll


Hence the origin of the "take your original budget and double it" comments which came from the experience of 7,500+ builders and 15 years experience we enjoyed on the "old" FFR forums.