Alcantara retrim
Discussion
All, Thinking about spending some more money to make my motor a bit more 'special'. Most likely option is to get the (currently bare plastic) instrument binnacle, steering column surround and the central thing (?) that surrounds the handbreak and gearstick covered in dark grey/black alcatara, if possible with white contrast stitching. Current option looks like Bell&Colville, who i think use Lotus own trimshop. Quality more important than cost but obviously i don't want to pay more than i need to.
Anyone else done this? feedback on sources, prices & lessons learnt?
Anyone else done this? feedback on sources, prices & lessons learnt?
different car. but this may give you a few ideas to what is possible. It was done by the Lotus trim shop as a special, as my car was the Motor Show 2006 display Exige.
This shows you what is possible, if you ask. Notice the instrument binnacle is a differen colour on the inside to the outside. The steering wheel has contrasting stitching including a stitched middle position (which lines up with the spine of the binnacle also with contrasting stitching that you cannot see) Also visible is the leatherwork around the hadnbrake and gear lever shrouds, with constrast strip through the dor panels.
All of this ties in with the seats too. see next pic
sorry didn't edit this. Turn 90 degrees
Not saying this is what you should have, but your imagination is probably more of a limitation than the trim shop capability.
This shows you what is possible, if you ask. Notice the instrument binnacle is a differen colour on the inside to the outside. The steering wheel has contrasting stitching including a stitched middle position (which lines up with the spine of the binnacle also with contrasting stitching that you cannot see) Also visible is the leatherwork around the hadnbrake and gear lever shrouds, with constrast strip through the dor panels.
All of this ties in with the seats too. see next pic
sorry didn't edit this. Turn 90 degrees
Not saying this is what you should have, but your imagination is probably more of a limitation than the trim shop capability.
I have had Bell and Collville re-trim some panels for me in the past - so far have had the door inserts on my S1 covered with Alcantara and they did a fantastic job.....but.....they have to be sent away to Lotus to be done so take some time (I see to remeber I was quoted a minimum of 6 weeks)....I have toyed with the idea of getting the coin trays etc. done and the seats retrimmed but havent got round to that yuet.
I would suggest that the time lag involved would make this an ideal over-winter project, which would give you time to get the pieces off the car, take them to B&C, have them sent away and trimmed then refitted ready for the good weather, otherwise you might find yourself without a car for a few weeks.
Saying that it is well worth doing as the trim now looks fantastic.
I would suggest that the time lag involved would make this an ideal over-winter project, which would give you time to get the pieces off the car, take them to B&C, have them sent away and trimmed then refitted ready for the good weather, otherwise you might find yourself without a car for a few weeks.
Saying that it is well worth doing as the trim now looks fantastic.
Are B&C the only dealer that do this for Lotus? They are somewhere in the deep south aren't they? I've seen that Eliseparts advertise a service as well but it doesn't look as comprehensive or as high quality as the B&C stuff.
Thanks for the great pics. I must admit I think I prefer Alcantara than Leather, but its good to see the options.
Thanks for the great pics. I must admit I think I prefer Alcantara than Leather, but its good to see the options.
thegobetween said:
My new R has this as standard. Its dark grey alcantara with red stitching on the dash, instrument pod, handbrake tunnel, and a mix of alcantara / microfibre on the door opening / sills. Looks awesome!
Do it!
I like the door handle accents really nice touchDo it!
Edited by thegobetween on Sunday 2nd May 11:45
GKP said:
DIY ftw!
Blue alcantara (the same as in the 135R) from the factory and perforated charcoal from ebay, some scissors and a tub of evostick.
(Gloves, old hankies and unhoovered carpets not included...)
Blue alcantara (the same as in the 135R) from the factory and perforated charcoal from ebay, some scissors and a tub of evostick.
(Gloves, old hankies and unhoovered carpets not included...)
GKPHow did you find it working with alcantara on some of the more complex curves? Wonder how you prevent it creasing up or stretching...
Loudman said:
TRAUMA!!!!! I've just had notes back from B&C and from my local main dealer both saying that Lotus aren't doing any more retrim work (at the moment)!!!!!!!!!!
How will I survive?!?
Might even have to get the evo-stick out GPK although your skills look better than mine.......
Go direct to the factory, if he's still there ask for Mel Broome. He runs (or at least did a few years back) the trim shop. You can get through to him direct & deal with this stuff direct with the factory, no need to go through dealers. At least you'll find out for sure if they are accepting further retrim work.How will I survive?!?
Might even have to get the evo-stick out GPK although your skills look better than mine.......
Mr Purple said:
Give Allon White a call in Cranfield , Beds they have a trim shop on site , had some work done , very good.
I believe they are doing some of lotuses work as they are very busy.
Thanks for the tip, i dropped them a line and they've said that they'll do it, price looks similar to B&C, only problem is that they can't start until August!!!!I believe they are doing some of lotuses work as they are very busy.
Anyway, unless I can get Lotus back online before then I'll definitely do it and will post some pics.
Pretty much finished wrestling it all back into place, thought I'd post a few pics if anyones interested. A couple of shots of the 'before', which is nice and clean but a bit basic, with plain plastic except for the top of the dash. Obviosly the Sparco wheel is non-standard, which i love.
...and some of the 'after'.
The observant amongst you will also notice that I've changed the wiper stalks for Alu ones and also i'm trying a new knob. Not sure about the knob yet, its a nice shape but feels a bit small compared to the ball, doesn't quite fit as snuggly in the hand. I'll give it a go for a while and its only a 5 min job to change it back.
I'm really pleased with the results, the photo's don't do it justice, its gone from feeling functional and a bit cheap to looking and feeling like a special place to be, which for me enhances the Lotus experience and far outweighs the cost. Now if only I could get it to sound like my old TVR it would be a pretty perfect car.........
...and some of the 'after'.
The observant amongst you will also notice that I've changed the wiper stalks for Alu ones and also i'm trying a new knob. Not sure about the knob yet, its a nice shape but feels a bit small compared to the ball, doesn't quite fit as snuggly in the hand. I'll give it a go for a while and its only a 5 min job to change it back.
I'm really pleased with the results, the photo's don't do it justice, its gone from feeling functional and a bit cheap to looking and feeling like a special place to be, which for me enhances the Lotus experience and far outweighs the cost. Now if only I could get it to sound like my old TVR it would be a pretty perfect car.........
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