Re-trim on my '89 Stevens turbo.

[Mantis66]

Hi all,
I've been trying to clean up the leather in my '89 Stevens turbo for sometime with less than satisfactory results.
The sunlight had really eaten into the tops of the seats and cracked the leather rather badly.

I took the plunge on Friday last week and sent the car off for a re-trim.

It wasn't cheap and I have to say that I'm blown away by the results.

[pic]www.arcades-r-us.com/lotus/Image007.jpg[pic]
The pictures are from my phone so are not really doing justice; I will include a nice shot from the dig. Camera later, it raining cats and dogs at the moment.

If anyone wants details of the company please contact me, I'm not sure if it's legit to mention the name of the local company who did the work on the forum.

Regards,
Mantis..

[kapone]

Was this in US or UK? I've a 89 as well and I'm contemplating retrimming as well since some of the leather is worn and dry.

Thanks.

Kap.
89 Non SE

[Mantis66]

Kap,
The job was done in the UK, by a company in Bedfordshire, the chaps work has also been featured in some of the other piston heads forums, (TVR).
The picture really doesn't live up to the job, once, (IF) it stops raining I'll take some with the digital camera.

Regards,
Mantis...

[igreenrover]

Have to say that looks really great! I've been thinking along these lines myself.

Lotus offer a re-trim service, I was quoted for my SE last week. If anyone is interested you can speak to Mel Broom in After sales support.

Gareth

[Mantis66]

Gareth,
Spoke to Mel also he was really helpful. The reason I used the guy near me was that I could deliver the car to him and he took care of everything, seat removal etc.
He took three days to trim the car out, he doesn't hang about!
The result is better than I could have imagined and I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending the service.

Regards,
Mantis..

[igreenrover]

Mantis.

Yes, I understand. Lotus dont have the ability to strip the parts out so its DIY again.

I would be interested in compairing prices I think as yours does look well. Could you let me have the contact info?

Gareth

[Mantis66]

Gareth,
The site for the company that did the work is:
www.autoleather.net, the chap that did the work is named Russell Davies, he is something else. I can say that I have never seen anything like his work, it is better than new!

Regards,
Mantis..

[kapone]

Any suggestions on where to get a retrim done around the DC/Baltimore area? and if I may ask, what's the approx cost? (I know it'll vary depending on the complexity, extent and choices made for the retrim, but generally speaking, what's the ball park?)

[superdave]

Hi all, you can reconolise your leather interior and replace the carpets yourself for a fraction of the price. Have a think before rushing out to get a retrim.
The cost for my interior are as follows:-

New Carpet set (13 pieces) £199
Glue £15
Conolising kit £60
Carriage £10

Total £284

I thought mine was beyond repair and got quotes in excess of £1500 and that didn't include the dash. Here's my seat when I bought my car...



http://community.webshots.com/photo/61560612/61562803dJZoGP


And here's the finished article

http://community.webshots.com/photo/61560612/61562137lCusSe



If anyone needs any help or advise then please e-mail on [e-mail]
I am considering doing this as a side line.

Cheers,



Dave Walters

[kapone]

Dave, I would be very interested in doing this. My email is [e-mail]. Let's talk.

Thanks.

Kap.

[mantis66]

Dave that is a serious transformation!
I had tried to restore the leather in my car, but it really was in bad shape.
Very smart looking interior, I have to change the stock brown carpets for something that looks a little better, where did you pick your carpet up from?

Thanks.

Regards,
Mantis...

[superdave]

HI got the carpets from SJ Sports cars. On my photo site, there is also an after shot of just the seat. My seats were in really bad condition.

Cheers,



Dave Walters