QV24 Plastic Side Panel for Front Seats

[KY2006]

Dear All,

I am looking for a good plastic side panel and elbow cover for the left front seat of my QV24. See picture.


Owing to design defects, these panels are liable to break when a passenger sits at the margin of the seat as the plastic panel is hollow and cannot hold the body weight of even a light weight passenger. I already replaced one on the right hand side with parts found from a donor car, but couldn't find the one on the left hand side - car was fine until a co-worker broke it when entering the car.

I am sure that there are many other broken panels on 164QVs and all have to learn to live with it by glue or tape or something, which is a shame. Have we thought about after-market production by fabricating some improved version of the panel using metal or other materials?

[ALFAHEIDA]

New ones are sold out for years now. Only way is to restore it.
There are a few topics on the repair here on this forum.


Erwin

[KY2006]

Am still looking for these two parts. For the plastic cover, hopefully I can find one used and repair it.

[alfa east]

Maybe 3D printing is an option?

[KY2006]

Yes, indeed, but only if we have a used, broken one as the master for copying.

[ALFAHEIDA]

Cant you use your own?

[KY2006]

Cant you use your own?

It has been with my former mechanic who said he would try to find someone to fix it. That was like over three years ago and I wonder if he still has it.

[ALFAHEIDA]

Well, just ask....
Saves you a lot of time.

[alfa east]

Are you the only one with this option/seats in HK? If not, you could ask your fellow Recaro owner if you could digitally scan the cover in his car and then print it. I know easier said than done but I think we will more and more have to get used to this idea in the future if we want rare parts for our cars.

[KY2006]

I know 3D printing is a way out. Do not have the tools and skills to do it on my own.

[alfa east]

It is complicated. I have asked around in Thailand but a reliable, customer-friendly 3D printing service does not exist yet to my knowledge. Maybe I was a bit too early with my search. I would expect such businesses to spring up sooner rather than later. To do it myself, I don't see how I could afford the 3D printers that can produce a good enough result. Also there is the question of different materials to print (plastics, synthetic rubbers, metal etc.).

[fasani]

Marcus,

Still in search for the panels and 3D printing?

Hendrik

[KY2006]

Yes, this must be the rarest part available on Earth.

[fasani]

These panels are very difficult to draw, if someone can draw these panels i might have a print option. size of parts that fit in the 3D printer i use 45x45 cm.

[KY2006]

Still looking, after eight years....

[obenhaus]

Within the last 8 years you obviously didn't have a look at alternative parts: the seats on the posted picture are the anatomic Recaro seats. The same side panels were built-in in Cadillac Allante from 89/90 to 92. Have a look at ebay-USA.

[KY2006]

Thank you. Didn’t find any prior discussion here on this site. Anyway, I shall check this out.

[KY2006]

I have surveyed eBay listing for Cadillac Allante seat side covers. The control button openings look the same but the entire housing is different. The search continues....