Rod Handsfield

I'll be picking up my '83 Euro
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...d-staus-3.html
from Mr. Merlin in a couple of weeks. He's done a fantastic job and I am very excited to drive it. As you can see in one of the interior photos the seat bolster/pleats have come unsewn. What are some experiences with repair of this common problem and seat refurbishing in general? Treat leather with Letherique/Lexol first and then have a local shop remove the covers and resew? What is the likelihood that an upholstery shop may damage the connections when R and Ring the seats and covers? thanks for your answers, Rod

Gary Knox

Rod,

I just went through a complete dis-assembly of three different sets of front seats, and the refurbishment of a set of supple leather upholstery from one, then applying that refurbished/refinished/redyed (different color) leather to one of the frames. It is doable, but it takes LOTS of time. I did not have to have any pieces re-sewn, but once they are off, I'm sure a shop could do that. I wouldn't want to trust the dis-assembly of the seats to a shop that hasn't done it before. And - if they have done it, they might choose not to do it unless they are paid lots of $$$. I can't count the hours I had in doing my project, but I wanted the experience, and my local automobile upholstery guy said he wouldn't touch dis-assembling/re-assembling them.

On the other hand, Roger Tyson has a guy in Dallas area who did this VERY economically for me about 6 years ago when I had him install black piping on a set of silver grey seats.

By the way, I decided wire ties were a much more usable process for re-assembling the center sections to the frames than hog rings by an amateur like me!

Good luck,

Gary KNox

Rod Handsfield

Thanks Gary, I worked 3 summers as a seat cover installer when I was in college so I feel (at least used to feel) competent with hog rings. Did you grease the motors and cables? How do the seats unbolt? Rod

Green Goblin

You are buying my cars twin only I have a dark green interior, hope we get to hang out one day and do a photo shoot. Stan is a great guy and does top notch work enjoy the car and congrats.

Andy
83 Euro 5-speed

Wisconsin Joe

Run them all the way forward, 4 bolts in back (2 each side) Run them all the way back, 2 bolts in front.

When taking the bolts out of the front, reach under the rail to keep the backing plate from falling into the frame. If you drop it, a small pair of needlenose pliers or a hemostat, tweezers, and a small pick are handy for fishing it out (Guess how I know that ) The back ones will stay more or less in place.

Your car looks great, too.

Gary Knox

Rod,

Yes, I cleaned EVERYTHING and re-lubed everything as well. I have now had 6 seats with electric lumbar, and every one of them has been terribly noisy for the in/out adjustments. That's the only remaining 'issue' when I was all done. I think the transmissions they used for this adjustment were just crummy ones!!

Gary--

Ducman82

Or a magnet ! That's what intended up using