Interior

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:00 pm

I'm sure there is more than one person on the list that has got covers from American Originals, but I've just got mine and they look absolutely fantastic (admittedly, they aren't on the car yet, so there is a chance they could look like deflated balloons by the time they are on!). I got mine in black with a graphite central pannel done in thick quilts running horizontally. Matching piping looks well done, though the head rest covers look line they might be a bit Heath Robbinson. Molded carpets will replace my molded carpets. Seeing as the car isn't being built up as a stock spec car, I went for the cut pile which is loverly!

Unfortunately they won't be on in time for brooklands, but I'll make sure I stick some pictures up here when I get around to it.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:02 pm

how hard are these kits to fit?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:04 pm

I've been doing mine this week (got them from American Originals too), quite easy to fit if you have someone helping you.

Will be completing Saturday in time for Brooklands Sunday.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:14 pm

On paper they look pretty easy to get on. No restuffing of seats (unless they really need it of course, just put them over the existing covers and hog ring them into place. Brian told me that it can be done in a morning if you are motivated enough.

Cheap solution, much less than a retrim, though they are all cut from the original patterns so they should be spot on. I got a splash of discount (perks of tghe job!), but I'm guessing that a bit over ?700 all in should do you for four seats, carpets and a few added extras like coloured piping and horizontal pleats on the centre panels.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:15 pm

I removed the old covers first, then hog ringed the new 'uns on.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:21 pm

got mine from Legendary and am fitting them at the moment. I`m happy with the quality. Back seat done and fits good, buckets next which I guess will be a bit more involved. Taking my time, I stripped and refitted the seat back last night in an hour and a half.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 4:35 pm

I must admit, Brian wasn't the cheapest, but he takes all the burden off you, gets it all sorted and then keeps you informed every step of the way - great service I thought.

I only have my front bench to do on Saturday, then get the carpet in and seats back in place.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 5:50 pm

At first I thought I was getting extra attention from Brian, but I've spoken to a few people who have done business with him and he really is that good with everyone. He is also the man to speak to with regards to weather seals for pretty much any yank ever made. Plus he has just hooked up with a parts company in the states that can (allegedly) supply anything you want from stock for cars going back to the early 1900's.

Handy bloke to know. I'm going to try and write up the install of the seats as a full feature rather than a staff car report, so if anyone wants to come over and help they are more than welcome!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 5:54 pm

here`s my rear

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 6:04 pm

Wow, that really does look pretty damned good. I was really expecting soemthing along the lines of a 'pimp my ride saggy-baggy special' but that really does look prettty good. Did you have to pad it out to account for the original covers coming off?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 6:22 pm

no padding required, save for a little foam around some of the sharper metal edges, just to protect the vinyl. Place squarely over the seat bun and make sure it`s in the correct position before hog ringing. Some effort was required to stretch it round the back before fastening, but I managed it on my own. For the seat back, there was a metal wire threaded through the old cover which needs to be removed and put on the new cover. It slides into slot in the webbing fabric. This holds firm the seat back area hidden below the parcel shelf.

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Thu May 26, 05 7:01 pm

Guys one note, Mopar seats are different than others in that you fix the REAR before the front on the buckets and front bench.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 8:41 pm

I remembered that tip Alex

When you actually come to do the job, that seems the most logical way to do it anyway, based on the layout.

here`s the old original covers code stamped on the inside and the metal tag (not quite sure what that tells me though?)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 26, 05 9:56 pm

Small point ot add at this stage. I have offered up all the covers and everything seems to be in order. Except of course the headrest covers which would struggle to acccomodate a packet of dunhill, let alone a head rest. Ho-hum, anyone want to make me an offer on the pair of headrests that are now surplus to requirement? Black, nice enough, chrome thingy around them?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Sat May 28, 05 7:09 pm

buckets done. Phew, they were a bit more tricky than anticipated. Seat buns weren`t 100%, drivers side had already been patched. Still they are in and look OK, a gazillion times better than the old interior. I put a bit extra stuffing in the seat, now I don`t have an imprint of springs on my backside after ride