seat trim

[rvfrc45]

Hi, I'm doing numerous jobs on the sprint but I have a dilemma.
My Black seat covers are past there best, I even have some spare material and even the foam
on the back of them has become dust.
So I've been to a car upholstery place this morning for some feedback on what's best to do.
Well he said he could recover all the seats in a black material, keeping the black leather/vinyl at the
bottom. stitching will be the same as std.
Other option is to do them in smooth real black leather and still keep the standard stitch work.
My sprint is not std in colour but I do like to keep the rest std if possible.
Leather is almost double the cost of the fabric material.
So what have others dolomite owners done in this situation.
The chances nowadays of finding a good set of black seats that are not faded for sale must be very rare.
So if someone has a really good set please let me know.
Please let me know your thought's on the whole subject.
Cheers Gary

[oily66]

There is a company near to me that can supply corduroy material, very similar to the bri-nylon.
I’ve yet to fully check this out but it is definitely something i’m to consider but it’s a long way off for me at the moment.

[Toledo Man]

Trev, this was something we discussed at the last West Yorkshire meeting. Newton have a similar sort of material but apparently, they won't just supply it. You would need to give them job of having the seats reupholstered. I read somwhere many moons ago that the 2000/2500/2.6PI Register had got hold of the original type bri-nylon material but I don't know if this was the case. It sounds like Trev's lead could be promising.

[RSi]

If the original cloth is good then a good Trimmer's can add new foam, if you want to keep it original.

[rvfrc45]

Hi All,
Thank you for you input into my problem.
Well yesterday I visited a upholster near me and got the impression he
had so much work he overpriced the job. His options were.
1) Try to recreate the original but only offered one black material. (not similar
2) Cover in smooth leather with same stitch pattern.
OK price 1) £1400 approx. and wait for it 2) £3000 all plus Vat.
So I left feeling pretty deflated on the drive home.
Today I drove 30 miles to a guy near Chelmsford Essex.
I won't give details yet till my job is done but he comes across as a really nice guy.
I told him my dilemma and he was brilliant.
He said let me see if I can find the std material or one that looks the same.
I also spoke about going the leather route and he said I should try to keep
the seats std if I can, I agreed.
Anyway I sat next to him while he was on the computer and he found material/fabric that looked the same.
Interesting it was fitted to BMW cars 1976-1986 approx.
So I have left all the seats with him but he has 5 jobs in front of me.
I may have to wait till Jan/Feb for completion but he is going to update me about the material
So I will keep you updated as things move on.
My wife said to me at the Sept car show someone mentioned to her that material was used on other cars.
So maybe its true.
cheers

[MIG Wielder]

Hi, I'm doing numerous jobs on the sprint but I have a dilemma.
My Black seat covers are past there best, I even have some spare material and even the foam
on the back of them has become dust.
So I've been to a car upholstery place this morning for some feedback on what's best to do.
Well he said he could recover all the seats in a black material, keeping the black leather/vinyl at the
bottom. stitching will be the same as std.
Other option is to do them in smooth real black leather and still keep the standard stitch work.
My sprint is not std in colour but I do like to keep the rest std if possible.
Leather is almost double the cost of the fabric material.
So what have others dolomite owners done in this situation.
The chances nowadays of finding a good set of black seats that are not faded for sale must be very rare.
So if someone has a really good set please let me know.
Please let me know your thought's on the whole subject.
Cheers Gary

Hi Gary, I don't know if you remember seeing my 1850 (SWK) at TDCIR recently but that is only one of two Dolomites retrimmed in leather. It was done by Trimmania of Finchampstead in Berkshire and they have done a first class job. It cost me £2,040 !!.
Good job I had built up some overtime
Good luck with your trim project,
Tony.

[D16PJM]

i have had a similar dilemma, my seats are good but i have a small nick in the drivers seat, it has taken me 14 months to find a good set

Pete

[RSi]

i have had a similar dilemma, my seats are good but i have a small nick in the drivers seat, it has taken me 14 months to find a good set

Pete

You were really lucky to find a good seat Pete, I wonder is the cloth available from any trimmers.

When I got my rear boot mat done by Aldridge they had genuine Triumph material in to do the mat with.

[rvfrc45]

Hi Tony,
I'm not sure but I knew a guy many years ago who had his seats covered in Leather.
His name was Graham and it was a Carmine red 1850 and it was mint.
So maybe 3 or more have been done.
I think leather seats in a Dolomite or sprint looks great and if the black material that he found is no good
I will seriously go leather. I often wonder why it was not a factory option.
I did not stay long at the show as wife had just got out of hospital so missed you.
cheers gary.

[Carledo]

Pretty sure Alun Nicholas (xvivalve) had a leather set done many moons ago for a very reasonable sum. Then had heart failure when he got a recent quote for the same job! Think it was about 5 times the price he paid in the 80s!

The cheapest way by far to get leather these days (and more comfy and supportive seats into the bargain) is to get a pre owned Rover 45 saloon set and fit those. Adapting the front seats without modding the floor fittings is not too much of a chore and if you get the correct early saloon set, the rear seat parts wedge in handily. There is an article on fitting this set somewhere on this forum.

My own Sprint is getting a pair of half leather MGZR front seats and retaining the black needlecord rear seat as I have one in good nick and not too faded. The joker in the pack is that this seat has been converted sometime in the past to accept rear headrests, by whom, I have no idea as it came with a scrap car I acquired several years ago.

If you check the Sprint parts list, on the colour code translation page near the front, section (d) says:- Prefix letters added to the colour code denote the main trim material,
leathercloth (vinyl) - no prefix, Leather, prefix letter 'H', Cloth, prefix letter 'C'

This would seem to indicate that leather trim was at least a possibility, though it may not have been well publicized or was too expensive for much of an uptake, who knows?

Steve

[rvfrc45]

Hi All, After waiting so long I've finally today picked up my recovered sprint seats.
I dropped them off last Oct/Nov and was promised around Feb.
Then Covid 19 struck and time has dragged on and on.
The great news is they are now done and they look like new.
Yes he did get the correct material (it certainly looks the same) and it was listed BMW 70-80 circa.
The down side it's taken so long. I told Seb that I'm happy to recommend him but he must be clear
with any Triumph customers about times. He also pointed out that material may not
be available in the future.
He also made new seat foam basis as could not buy them. Around £1700
PS So Guys it up you if you use him so don't shoot the messenger lol.
He owns Q trim near Chelmsford Essex.

[SprintMWU773V]

Can you post some pics?

[rvfrc45]

Hi,
I have just sent some pictures to Carledo John to look at.
If you sent me a personal message with you mobile I can send some to you.
they seem great. cheers gary

[rvfrc45]

Sorry ignore last message, pictures sent to Dolomite John.
cheers having a blond moment lol.