We're back from another seemingly long break with a bit of an update.
When I initially started this project I didn't think I was going to do much with the interior- mine was and is in really great condition and it seemed absurd to alter something that was fine.
But of course that is my way and in keeping with the theme of this here thread, I just couldn't leave well enough alone... again.
The interior was supposed to be a project for this past winter but life changes got in the way of my plans and the interior would have to wait.
My seats were and are ok, but I'm small and skinny and I slide all over them and more than a few times found my derriere a bit too close to comfort with the shifter, at least for this PG rated thread...
The big question for me was what seats would I want? I was lucky at this years CheckedItOut show to sample a lot of seats. In fact if some dude came up to you and said something along the lines of "I really love your car, can I sit in it?" that was probably me, doing research... yeah, research.
I had settled on a set of BF-Torino Nurburgring R seats- the reclining version because kids but was not settled on the cost. Well, remember that strange two weeks when both the Euro and Pound crashed hardcore and all of a sudden the US dollar was mighty again... It's oft said never let a good disaster go to waste. Well, I pulled the trigger and because of the favorable exchange rate I saved over $800! Yahtzee!
Unfortunately the seats only came in black and that wouldn't work for me so I bought the vinyl version knowing I would change that. It was always going to be leather and fabric, brown and grey of course.
I looked around for a used Juki sewing machine after realizing that mine wasn't up to the task and was shocked at the cost. Around this time, I very serendipitously came across a boat upholsterer a few blocks from my house and began talking to him about tips and tricks. Eventually he got the hint and gave me a price that was less than the cost of the used sewing machine so I really couldn't say no.
I sourced the leather from a wholesaler I work with and got 3 full hides for under $600 and procured the gray fabric from West Elm for $20 a yard on sale. The upholstery work was $1200 and the seats $2200 after shipping, totaling about $4k for two custom seats. Not bad.
The leather is an almost spot-on match for the cork vinyl and it's super supple. The gray fabric has a diagonal pattern to it but on the driver's seat the angle goes from the top right to the lower left, and non the passenger's seat, it's the opposite... the seats are effectively book matched; a subtle detail but one that I was insistent on and I thin it matters. Remember, we're in the era of "everything is important"
I debated on grommets but after sitting on seats with them I just didn't like the feel. They look cool but functionally I feel they're a compromise.
I got the seats back this week and avoided doing any real work for an hour to get them installed. I took the car out this Sunday for a few hours, mostly to gather a data log to refine my VE table, but wow, these seats change the entire feeling and interaction with the car. I’m 5’11” and 145# and I wear 31x32 levis. I fit in these seats like they were designed for me. The support is perfect, the bolsters…perfect, the cushions…perfect. I couldn’t be happier with them.
In preparation for redoing the rest of the interior making this coming winter, I borrowed a new carpet set from Nick here on Pelican and have created templates. It’ll be a combination of the brown leather and gray fabric used on the seats. I'm optimistic that I can start making the pieces this summer and fall so that when winter comes along I'll be ready to go.