Need some help from this group

TMI Products · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 12:48 pm Post subject: Need some help from this group

We are getting ready to launch our Vanagon program. We have a 85 GL that we are going to start making upholstery for and panels, and also make into a show/booth vehicle.

If possible I would like pics/info from different years of panels and seat upholstery/armrest so see what years are covered and what changed. From what I can see is the front door panels are the same from 80-91 with our without cloth inserts. 2 different slider panels. The rest i'm still researching.

Any help/pics would be appreciated. Very Happy

_________________
Mario De Leon
1965 Turbo Mustang Fastback
1966 Type 3 Fastback
VW Division Sales Manager
[email protected]

TMI Products
1493 Bentley Dr.
Corona Ca, 92879
1-800-624-7960
951-272-1584 FAX

alijonny · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:28 pm Post subject:

Will you get into curtain production for Westys?
_________________
1965 Beetle
1990 Syncro Westfalia
1983 Westfalia

PDXWesty · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 1:37 pm Post subject:

Product offerings from your competition should give you a clue as to what changed between model years. I'd start there.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

dart330 · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:24 pm Post subject:

Are you looking into doing reproduction factory colors and patterns? That is sorely lacking for the Vanagon community.

TMI Products · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:52 pm Post subject:

TMI Products · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 2:53 pm Post subject:

a2d2 · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:06 pm Post subject:

dart330 · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:11 pm Post subject:

The later years are a lot more standardized and probably in more demand as the 86-91 Vanagons tend to be the most popular. I'm sure someone can chime in with the exact years for the differences in armrests.

Some dealer brochure samples.

1985

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

1987

1990

djkeev · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:29 pm Post subject:

It is known that I'm a Sew Fine fan........... But I'll cast in my 2cents.

Unlike the Beetle's and Ghia's....... I don't see a lot of Vanagon people beating the drum for dead on Factory Original design.
As a group we seem to pride ourselves on making "my unit MINE!"

Be that by swapping engines, constructing our own camper layout, unique curtains, unique seat covers, etc.

I think an area that owners would LOVE to be able to upgrade are the newer Multivan aka "Weekender" side panels. They are ridgid plastic and as such, scratch, crack and get sun bleached easily.
IF there was a cover kit for them at a reasonable price......... Sew Fine has a replacement package but at $600 up.... Plus shipping.

Good luck, I personally Think that you are trying to market "original" goods and break into a market that really doesn't care much for original......

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

TMI Products · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:36 pm Post subject:

TMI Products · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 3:43 pm Post subject:

1vw4x4 · Banned Joined: June 22, 2005 Posts: 472 Location: Pgh. PA

Actually you are totally wrong. The late model front door panels have
several options that set them up to be a lot less standard that all the
earlier models. Plus the material were not all applied the same even
with same colors.

I suggest, that only the top quality Carat model be reproduced with
maybe a knock out in the panels for the options.

dart330 · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2015 4:40 pm Post subject:

Dana Champion · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 6:50 pm Post subject:

The older a vehicle becomes, the more interest there is in having it stock, original.

As someone on this site quotes " stock never goes out of style ". You really can't argue with that. It's a "safe" market to work from. Offer- stock, stock/ custom, custom.?

Improving, updating, and modernizing vehicles, especially as functionally diverse as the Vanagon (Westfalia especially), is almost, automatic; especially since there is no new replacement. It's pretty cool that a lot of components are interchangeable. You could take the interior from a '91 and install it in your '80.... Might have to accomodate a few items.

As these vehicles get older, and harder to find in pristine condition, sometimes you have to/want to, make em a little different. If someone had a beautiful stock original, I'd say leave it stock, however there is room for adjustment with the necessity sometimes" to make it work", or just to "make it better".

I have been a Vanagon fan for years, although I wasn't interested in trading my '78 bus when the Vanagon was introduced. Plain and simple though,Vanagons, "rock steady"!

Success be yours!

Peace

TMI Products · Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2015 7:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks

_________________
Mario De Leon
1965 Turbo Mustang Fastback
1966 Type 3 Fastback
VW Division Sales Manager
[email protected]

TMI Products
1493 Bentley Dr.
Corona Ca, 92879
1-800-624-7960
951-272-1584 FAX


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