My S2 is back from the Trimmer!
Discussion
When I collected my S2 almost 12 months ago, I couldn’t be happier but was very aware that the interior trim and hood let down what I believed to be an otherwise sound S. Overcoming a few very minor niggles and becoming familiar with the car in the first few months allowed me to save up a little cash and begin planning how to smarten up the trim that essentially made the inside look like a skip (with a leaky hood to boot). Here are a couple of phots to show the dodgy hood and mis-matched seats/vinyl dash etc.
In May, my S2 passed its MOT with no advisories which gave the green light for the ‘TVR Fund’ to be spent on the re-trim! I did not have an unlimited budget so spent many weeks organising quotes for the work and investigating the cheapest options (doing some myself, sharing the work between traders etc). I received quotes from 11 trimmers in total from all over the country; some with TVR experience and some without. The prices varied quite significantly (surprisingly so actually) and it was looking like I wouldn’t be able to afford a full retrim – I was prepared to miss out on carpets as the current ones weren’t as bad as the rest of the trim. However, when I spoke to John at ‘The Trim Technician’ in Blackpool his quote was so much cheaper than the rest that the carpets would be included and it would still give me a substantial saving on the next cheapest (non-TVR experienced garage in Somerset).
John learnt his trade with TVR in the factories until they closed, then he worked at Lotus until deciding to setup on his own under 12 months ago. He doesn’t just work on TVRs but has a massive soft spot for and knowledge of the cars. Pictures of his work and a decent chat over the phone gave me confidence to book my S2 in for the full works. He had it for 5 weeks in total as I said I wasn’t in a rush and would prefer a decent job to be done; as it turned out there was significant prep and repair work to be done following a previously poor retrim on my S. However, John sent me weekly photo messages and texts/ phone calls when required at decision points which reassured me my P&J was in safe hands throughout.
We agreed the colour combo of light cream leather dash and seats (vinyl backs on seats) with black piping to contrast. I also went for black vinyl top-dash, pillars, targa insides and hood inside. Black carpets with cream bindings to contrast and a new black hood. Extra little touches were TVR logos in black embroidered on the glovebox and seats backs (possibly not to everyone’s taste as not original – but I love how they turned out). Additionally I really wanted to do away with a lot of the nasty black plastic trim parts and modernise it with silver where possible. I had the bezels modified by Speedycables some months earlier and was very fortunate that John knew a sprayer who could paint a metallic effect on the steering wheel boss, heater control edge, window switch surrounds and door card trim strip. Again, it may not be to everyone’s taste due to lost originality but it honestly has such a premium feel when sat inside that I love it. I also gave John some new aluminium windsceen air vents (from Leven) and Richbrook gearknob and handbrake to replace the plastic originals. Also, I bought some Griff roof stays to replace the originals – I always thought they look much better and John fitted them with only slight modification.
Take a look at some of the finished article photos and see for yourself how it turned out:
I honestly couldn’t be happier. The care and attention John gave my S at every juncture was like he was working on his own car and the quality of work really shows. There are lots of nice little touches showing ingenuity and flair in trimming – he replaced the ill-fitting steering wheel cowl with a bespoke leather surround so my stalks no longer get snagged and I can use the hazards easily; the unsightly seatbelt pillars now have leather ‘caps’ to cover the plastic; the targa panels have individual vinyl storage bags; beautiful floor mats with reinforced heel areas (plus free spares!); There is now black piping all round the dash where there wasn’t before; the glovebox has a leather tag instead of unsightly veneer handle to open it. The list goes on.
I hope you like the work and incase you couldn’t tell, I whole-heartedly recommend The Trim Technician. He’s moving to bigger premises in Blackpool which will allow 3 cars to be worked on concurrently; give him a call if you need any re-trimming doing as he loves TVRs, is highly skilled and importantly is half the price of other Blackpool-based trimmers. Send me a PM if you have any questions.
Sorry if this seems like showing off – this is all his work, I’m just proud of how my S2 looks now! I’ll no doubt be in touch soon to overcome my next mechanical niggle – at least my hood and interior will look good next time I’m underneath on axle stands!!
Regards,
David
ETA: Just realised I'm missing one of my rotary switches in these photos; rest-assured I have the full set of 3!
In May, my S2 passed its MOT with no advisories which gave the green light for the ‘TVR Fund’ to be spent on the re-trim! I did not have an unlimited budget so spent many weeks organising quotes for the work and investigating the cheapest options (doing some myself, sharing the work between traders etc). I received quotes from 11 trimmers in total from all over the country; some with TVR experience and some without. The prices varied quite significantly (surprisingly so actually) and it was looking like I wouldn’t be able to afford a full retrim – I was prepared to miss out on carpets as the current ones weren’t as bad as the rest of the trim. However, when I spoke to John at ‘The Trim Technician’ in Blackpool his quote was so much cheaper than the rest that the carpets would be included and it would still give me a substantial saving on the next cheapest (non-TVR experienced garage in Somerset).
John learnt his trade with TVR in the factories until they closed, then he worked at Lotus until deciding to setup on his own under 12 months ago. He doesn’t just work on TVRs but has a massive soft spot for and knowledge of the cars. Pictures of his work and a decent chat over the phone gave me confidence to book my S2 in for the full works. He had it for 5 weeks in total as I said I wasn’t in a rush and would prefer a decent job to be done; as it turned out there was significant prep and repair work to be done following a previously poor retrim on my S. However, John sent me weekly photo messages and texts/ phone calls when required at decision points which reassured me my P&J was in safe hands throughout.
We agreed the colour combo of light cream leather dash and seats (vinyl backs on seats) with black piping to contrast. I also went for black vinyl top-dash, pillars, targa insides and hood inside. Black carpets with cream bindings to contrast and a new black hood. Extra little touches were TVR logos in black embroidered on the glovebox and seats backs (possibly not to everyone’s taste as not original – but I love how they turned out). Additionally I really wanted to do away with a lot of the nasty black plastic trim parts and modernise it with silver where possible. I had the bezels modified by Speedycables some months earlier and was very fortunate that John knew a sprayer who could paint a metallic effect on the steering wheel boss, heater control edge, window switch surrounds and door card trim strip. Again, it may not be to everyone’s taste due to lost originality but it honestly has such a premium feel when sat inside that I love it. I also gave John some new aluminium windsceen air vents (from Leven) and Richbrook gearknob and handbrake to replace the plastic originals. Also, I bought some Griff roof stays to replace the originals – I always thought they look much better and John fitted them with only slight modification.
Take a look at some of the finished article photos and see for yourself how it turned out:
I honestly couldn’t be happier. The care and attention John gave my S at every juncture was like he was working on his own car and the quality of work really shows. There are lots of nice little touches showing ingenuity and flair in trimming – he replaced the ill-fitting steering wheel cowl with a bespoke leather surround so my stalks no longer get snagged and I can use the hazards easily; the unsightly seatbelt pillars now have leather ‘caps’ to cover the plastic; the targa panels have individual vinyl storage bags; beautiful floor mats with reinforced heel areas (plus free spares!); There is now black piping all round the dash where there wasn’t before; the glovebox has a leather tag instead of unsightly veneer handle to open it. The list goes on.
I hope you like the work and incase you couldn’t tell, I whole-heartedly recommend The Trim Technician. He’s moving to bigger premises in Blackpool which will allow 3 cars to be worked on concurrently; give him a call if you need any re-trimming doing as he loves TVRs, is highly skilled and importantly is half the price of other Blackpool-based trimmers. Send me a PM if you have any questions.
Sorry if this seems like showing off – this is all his work, I’m just proud of how my S2 looks now! I’ll no doubt be in touch soon to overcome my next mechanical niggle – at least my hood and interior will look good next time I’m underneath on axle stands!!
Regards,
David
ETA: Just realised I'm missing one of my rotary switches in these photos; rest-assured I have the full set of 3!
Edited by junglieD on Sunday 12th August 10:57
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