Alternative/cheaper way of re-trim of E-Type kit car
Discussion
I'm just wondering if anyone knows of an alternative and affordable way of retriming the interior of an E-Type roadster kit car to a reasonable and good quality standard, but without needing to spend around 3 grand on a few pieces of original vinyl, leather and hardura trim for the carpets, door skins, seats etc? Im aware that trimming such a car is an expensive and know doubt very skillful job, but the kit car I have is need of some reitrimming. The interior at the moment looks kit car ish and tacky.
I saw a Challenger replica recently at a show, and the interior looked well presented. Did these replicas use original E-Type or Jaguar material. And are the seats from Challengers from an E-Type or from a different make?.
I saw a Challenger replica recently at a show, and the interior looked well presented. Did these replicas use original E-Type or Jaguar material. And are the seats from Challengers from an E-Type or from a different make?.
I suspect your problem is not the cost of the materials but the lack of structure/substance for the trim to go on.
Example...if a door card is just that...a flat piece of card, then the finished item will look kitcar. To look right it will need things like a feature line at about mid height, an arm rest, an elasticated door pocket etc.
These will be the things that cost so if you can add these first then a trimmer will be able to finish it off.
If the rest of the car looks the part then you need to save up for a decent job and yes, you are right, it is a very skilled job. I bought a trim kit for a TVR to fit myself but very soon gave the whole job back to the company I bought the kit from and they did a splendid job on it.
Steve
Example...if a door card is just that...a flat piece of card, then the finished item will look kitcar. To look right it will need things like a feature line at about mid height, an arm rest, an elasticated door pocket etc.
These will be the things that cost so if you can add these first then a trimmer will be able to finish it off.
If the rest of the car looks the part then you need to save up for a decent job and yes, you are right, it is a very skilled job. I bought a trim kit for a TVR to fit myself but very soon gave the whole job back to the company I bought the kit from and they did a splendid job on it.
Steve
Steve, are you the Steve D that used to frequent Ferrari Chat?
Jukebag, the challenger seats were specials buit for the manufacturer - I believe the supplying company is now out of business. I'm in the process of planning a retrim of my challenger and as Steve points out, the devil is in the detail. Mines just old now and could do with a refresh. I think I've read before that you have a wildcat? If so then the restrictions on Challenger seats (give the wide transmission tunnel) may not apply to you. Spitfire seats and MK1.5 MX5 seats are popular replacements for the original E type items.
Jukebag, the challenger seats were specials buit for the manufacturer - I believe the supplying company is now out of business. I'm in the process of planning a retrim of my challenger and as Steve points out, the devil is in the detail. Mines just old now and could do with a refresh. I think I've read before that you have a wildcat? If so then the restrictions on Challenger seats (give the wide transmission tunnel) may not apply to you. Spitfire seats and MK1.5 MX5 seats are popular replacements for the original E type items.
Have a read through this thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Dave the trimmer will be the most expensive but D&C trim do a very nice job. I know the thread is TVR specific but both will do anything that comes along.
My car trim has been done by D&C and I have fitted a number of their TVR carpet kits & seat cover kits.
Steve
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Dave the trimmer will be the most expensive but D&C trim do a very nice job. I know the thread is TVR specific but both will do anything that comes along.
My car trim has been done by D&C and I have fitted a number of their TVR carpet kits & seat cover kits.
Steve
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