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Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: TurboFource on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 05:51:03 AM

Title: Upholstery?
Post by: TurboFource on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 05:51:03 AM
I have not found much on reupholstering the seats etc. Any comments or links to articles?
Doing my pre-ownership studying  ^-^
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: BDA on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 06:57:52 AM
I guess a lot depends on how skilled or ambitious you are. I believe at least one guy here upholstered his own seats. I thought that back in the day, Richard sold upholstery kits but you'd need to check me on that. If you aren't that interested in sewing, there is likely a car interior shop in your area who can do a nice job. I got my carpets from a https://www.autointeriors.biz/. They do upholstery also. Lots of options... Ok, a few options.
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: Arizona on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 08:17:58 AM
http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=132.msg29978#msg29978 (http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=132.msg29978#msg29978)
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: 4129R on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 10:32:15 AM
I paid about £2,500 = $3,000 to get 2 seats re-trimmed, and all the oatmeal panels and console re-trimmed by a specialist who does one-offs for Lotus. No carpets included. Just door cards, pull strips and door inserts, console, and seats.

Expect to pay a lot, but it is very noticeable if not done correctly.
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: TurboFource on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 04:47:32 PM
Looks like I need to learn to sew  :confused:
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: Pfreen on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 05:54:37 PM
Banks sells upholstery sets.  I bought mine from Sports and Classics.  I think for the seats, door cards, center console and arm pad as well as a carpet set.  I think it cost around $1500.  I did all the installation.  My wife made the sun visor and crash pad cover.  I bought extra vinyl from Sports and Classics.  I was not super impressed with the quality, but I guess the price was right.  The carpet set quality was poor in my opinion, and I actually bought a replacement set from Automat. 
The upholstery set was ok.  It took a lot of work though.  I actually had to repair the seat frames because of rust.  I then had to repair the foam, since there was some missing foam where the original covers had ripped.  I then applied batting over the original foam to smooth the repairs and to make the foam fit the Sports and Classics replacement covers.

All in all, I think the end result was pretty good.
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: dakazman on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 06:00:12 PM
Hi turbo , if you need dimensions I posted them here, Roddymac used them successfully.

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2058.msg22533;topicseen#msg22533

Dakazman
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: Gary t on Thursday,February 13, 2020, 06:45:00 PM
I was at least one of the guys that sewed my own there are some pictures under my name or 54/1173
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,February 14, 2020, 03:50:03 AM
Couldn't find it Gary.....

Thanks for the replies!
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: Gary t on Friday,February 14, 2020, 06:53:43 AM
There is a thread called 54/1173 . On page 8 there are a few photos  of what I have done for upholstery on my project.
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: TurboFource on Friday,February 14, 2020, 09:37:33 AM
Found, them thanks! Any pics of the seats in the process?
Title: Re: Upholstery?
Post by: Gary t on Friday,February 14, 2020, 10:49:58 AM
I do but not a ton and I am away for the next few days but I could post some when I get home.