I'm planning out what to do in the interior of my '88 IROC next year. The car is currently the original Medium Metallic Orange, with a tan custom cloth interior. I am going to paint the car Hugger Orange with white racing stripes similar to my blue car, and I plan to put TT2 wheels on it.

My first thought is that since the dashboard is cracked near the vents, I may use POR15 putty to fix the cracks, then either paint the dash tan, or cover it in tan leather.

Second, since I would be doing the dashboard tan, I would also need to do all the other black plastic tan as well. I would paint the console and other hard parts, and cover the dashpad with tan leather.

Third, I am thinking that a set of tan gauge face covers might look real good with everything else done that way. Kinda a high tech look? Maybe dark brown for the numbers, not sure about the needles. I would also like to add a three gauge pod like in my '86, but since LoTek isn't making the three hole one anymore, I might make a fiberglass copy, modifying it for my C&C t-tops. I am also considering adding gauges into the dashpad. All aftermarket gauges would have to have the same look as my main gauges.

I am planning to reupholster my seats in the stock leather/cloth design, overstuffed like I did on Blue502 (much more comfortable, but you can't tell when looking).

Not sure what I would do about the window and hatch switches, anyone know of any lighted ones in tan that would work? I guess I could dye mine, and re-screen the logos onto them if nothing else.

For the headliner I am thinking about buying an abs headliner and covering it in foam and leather. I think a hardtop one would work, cut out to fit my aftermarket tops. I would also do matching leather t-top inserts with embossed bowtie logos on them. I will also install an overhead console, though I haven't decided on whether to use one of my originals, or maybe one from a new Chevy pickup or something.

For the steering wheel, I am going to use a Colorado Customs Fire half wrap billet wheel with tan leather.

I am also considering adding some wood to the dashboad (along the thin strip just below the large flat section, and also in the groove on the armrests (I'm using '82-'87 style). Fairly subtle compared to the kits you normally see. I would do it in a warm tone mahogony, using a burled wood.

So, what do you all think? Comments positive and negative welcomed, just try to keep them useful, and don't bother with "keep it stock" comments. I have no problem with modifying my interior, as it can all be put back to original later if someone else ever wants to do that.

 

ahhh, i can see it now sound good to me Blue. I'm not a big fan of tan, but in an orange car it'd be killer. Personally I probably would've gone with the black/white interior scheme like in the orange/white 4thgens, but I don't think too hard about things before deciding on them. I'm thinking of making a dash for my 86. I have a drawing of what I'd want, something more modern, but still fits the personality of the car. Only one problem, I have no clue how to work with fiberglass I like that steerign wheel too. Sounds like you're on your way to making another classic thirdgen for us to envy

 

On the note of painting interior plastic... anyone have any methods that last.... i've painted my brown interior pieces (because brown looks good in a blue car i heard) 3 times now... the paint doesn't seem to stick. Now i'm using some all puirpose, extra durrable semigloss, and it looks good to start, but if something rubs it, or bends it...it's over. I was planning to clearcoat ovcer this time, but...how do i get the paint to stick in the first place???
i have chemical washed, sanded, power washed, and primed...in each case, the paint falls off, as well as the primer.

My compliments on making durable interiors go out to chevy.

 

Oh dear god, man! What the hell is wrong with you? Tan Tan and brown, oh gross. You need to be smacked, thats the ugliest color in our cars. How can you think of making everything brown?

 

On my prior restorations of musclecars where I have changed colors I have always used PPG vinyl dyes and used an adhesion promoter. Only place I've ever had it fail is on kick panels that are quite heavily abused, and only tiny spots at that. I have never used spray bomb dyes, but if I were to ever try one the only brand I would even consider is SEM

Un4givin... Fine, no rides for you then. I absolutely agree, except when tan is matched up with either orange, red, or maroon. You think 90% of the Ferrari's out there are ugly cuz they have tan interiors??? The earlier thirdgen brown, though...

 

First, tan and orange is a great color scheme. I think the stripes will add a good look as well. I'm considering adding some white stripes to my blue ride.

Where'd you get the T-Tops? A web site would be helpul.

D

 

The tops were on the car when I purchased it, and I assume were installed by the dealership when the car was new. That was the standard practice. Cars & Concepts is no longer in business unfortunately, especially since they were the largest supplier of aftermarket t-tops for thirdgens. Some parts are still available though.

Here is a sig pic I created to show basically what my '88 will look like when I paint it, photoshopped off of my blue car:

 

I usually don’t like to be the wet sponge of the gang, but I agree with un4givin89…

Tan interiors (and wood for that matter) kinda screams out, oh, I dunno…. 80’s? It might just be me, (or my artist girlfriend that has finally brainwashed me) but Orange with Tan seems to clash… Not complimentary colors in my opinion; or maybe too similar/monotone?

I know, I know… I have a plain Jane all black interior. I don’t have much to say in the matter.

But if you feel strongly about it, and have a vision of the perfect killer interior, go for it! You’re the one who’s going to be sitting it the car, not us.

/forsete

 

"(cause i heard brown interiors look good in blue cars)"

Common guys.... total sarcasm.... I'ts brown originally, and Is trying to stay black.

I do not in any way, premote the use of brown anywhere on thirdgen camaro's.... no if's ands or buts...

 

why not a 4th gen install like I'm doing..

 

un4givn,

are the A/C and heater contols on that 4 th gen dash functional??? if they are, could you post some info or a tech article on how you go them to work since the 3rd gen are vacuum/cable operated and the 4th gen are electric. i want to do this swap, but this is the only thing holding me back. thanks in advance for any help.

peace,
menace

 

Lance I've still got some tan stuff from the 83 if you wanna trade some black bits for em (plus a few bucks since I need black more than you need tan) ... I've got the kick panels and possibly the door step thingers for sure, the rest of it wandered off somewheres (all I need is black kick panelses )

 

un4givin89 can you post that same type pic but further out so i can see that its a 3rd gen... damn thats sweet...

 

wow.....very nice...... unforgiven!!!!!! get rid of that grant wheel and the effect will be complete!!!