On Tue, 27 Jan 1998 15:32:33 -0800 Douglas Gaither
<gaither@ix.netcom.com> writes:
>Okay listers,
>
>My daily driver ('83 Honda Accord) was smashed up a few months ago.
>Not
>enough to cripple it, but enough to total it. So the insurance
>company has
>cashed me out leaving me with the very usable (albeit ugly) Accord.
>As
>soon as I complete my '66B, it will be my daily driver (sooner than
>expected thanks to the smash-up). So I am going to purchase an
>interior
>(yes- for the B) with this settlement. There are other things that I
>will
>need before the interior, but I've decided on a tan interior and I
>want the
>seats-panels-carpet to all match (I've seen several cars at shows
>where
>they didn't quite match). So common sense tells me to purchase the
>interior at the same time from (hopefully) the same source to enhance
>my
>chances of color matching.
>
>So, I popped open my Moss catalog and they have tan seats, tan panels
>but
>ochre (ugh) carpets. So, here are my questions:
>
>1) I would like some suggestions about sourcing quality interiors.
>Moss?
>VB? TRF? Mike Satur? Others?
>
For Quality, there is Mike Satur and then there is everything else!!
However, it aint cheap and a FULL retrim all at once will be a bit of a
choker
though if you have the money it will pay you back over time -
Moss have a special on full retrim interiors at the moment $1499 for the
top of the line if i recall, (dont have the catalogue here )
>2) I would like to know if any of you have had your local auto-carpet
>specialist install carpet into your LBC and what was the quality like.
> Is a local specialist a good idea?
I have a good friend who does this for a living - mostly on hotrods
It is VERY expensive and whilst you can be assured you will get a good
job, the kits are not hard to install and you will get the satisfaction
as well as the savings
>
>3) For that matter, what about just taking my seats to a local
>upholsterer?
> Are the seat kits better/cheaper?
A"custom" single seat for a B or similar,reuphoulstered from scratch at
my friends place a little over a quarter hide and takes 2 days to make
and fit - figure $800-1000 per seat -
The kits are by and large as good and a LOT cheaper - this is not a
difficult job either
and believe me i wouldnt say that if it wasnt true since im the first to
be scared of a job the first time!!
>
>4) I notice many suppliers list a 'Molded Transmission' carpet piece.
>Does
>this really make a difference?
Its essential unless you are a carpet fitter - and a good one at that
however you can nearly always re-use the cars underlay form and the
tunnel piece glues easily to it
>
>5) What about the quality of carpet? Are the 'Standard' quality
>carpets
>junk?
yes
Are the 'Deluxe' quality carpets a whole lot better?
Somewhat- but they are all nylon, Scarborough Fair kits are the best ive
used, they are also the cheapest (usually) but nothing Ive seen compares
to Saturs
>
>6) I am considering leather. I don't mind the cost if they are a lot
>more comfortable. Remember this is going to be my daily driver. Is
>leather better? Do leather seats breathe (vinyl seats make me sweat
like a
>pig in the summer)?
For your 66 leather (with piping)is the "correct" cover but the 66
frames/foams are not the most comfortable - for my money the 70-75 seats
are the most comfortable design, leather is definitely more comfortable
overall - especially when your bum goes down on a black seat in august!!
BUT - vinyl is cheaper, the 70-75 pattern actually has a centre panel
that is "perforated" plus they are less prone to the odd spilt milkshake
or other nasty stains you might inflict pon them in moments of reckless
abandon
>
>BTW: I have decided to keep my original seats. Any other comments and
>advice would certainly be welcome.
If you are going with the original frames you will have to go with the
original cover design (or an expensive custom job) and you may as well
install an entirely "correct interior (panels etc)
If you go with later seats or a kit, the 70-75 is my personal favourite
but if you want the best, get it from Satur.
Dont be afraid of retrimming, it is very rewarding and not difficult -
beats the hell out of rebuilding a roadspring!!
mike robson
69 roadster
70 BGT
72 roadster
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