964Luftballoon

This thread has been absolutely EPIC! Definitely subscribed for future updates. Great job with all the modding thus far!

- Ryan

Paul284pt

Thanks HalV

Wow! Thanks indeed Ryan, pleased you are enjoying it, more to come soon.

Cheers,
Paul

Tonser

I've just had the pleasure of reading all 25 pages of this thread. A most inspiring build mixing varying styles and influences together with superb results ! I look forward to more updates. Thanks Paul
Tony

FLYT993

this is what my 993 aspires to when she grows up! what an inspiration!

Paul284pt

Tony & Dan,

Thank you both most sincerely for your comments, very kind!

Good luck,
Paul

Paul284pt

Hi Guys,

It's been a while, however the trimming has finally started....today, I know, I know, but at least it has started and should be finished for May.

The seats are stripped and the panels are being unpicked to make exact patterns for the new sections. Thankfully the bolster cushions are in pretty good shape however the cushions for the back and seats have seen better days. Stripping the leather off these pretty much destroys what's left of the cushions so it's a no-brainer and these would have been renewed anyway.

My old original "non-sport" seats can be seen in one of the photos. I'll also be stripping the frames, runners and belt fasteners from these as mine were in better condition.

John at Heritage Classic's new super-dooper sewing machine (mega-bucks ) in one of the photos all set up now in the trim room after the original new machine was wrecked in the back of a truck and they still tried to get him to off-load and take delivery even though it was leaking oil all over the pallet. Needless to say John didn't and it went straight back but he had to wait for another to be delivered. So that hasn't exactly helped speed up the process of John getting cars out, mine and an E-Type were waiting.











The chrome door speaker rings. The larger ones for the 5.25" speakers are Jag XJ6 items, the lugs on the back will need to be cut for fitment.



Cheers,
Paul

Streetdaddy

Thanks for taking us along with you Paul! Those speakers are gonna look great.

Paul284pt

Thanks SD, it should all start taking shape soon.

Cheers,
Paul

Shamstar

Looking forward to updates, one of my favourite cars on here!

Paul284pt

Thank you Shamstar, you're a true gent

cheers,
Paul

Paul284pt

Hi Chaps,

I few photos of the work in progress, not as interesting as the oily bits but it gives a good idea of the work involved on a re-trim.

Loads of copper wire fasteners to undo from the sports seats I bought before carefully picking the seams of the covers before laying it all out to use as templates for the new seats etc.













Seat side panel. Its is hoped that the plastic panel hiding the seat hinges can be coated in smooth red leather, otherwise they will be painted to match.



Seat cushion before stitching the seams.



One of the brass ferrules for the seat vents. These will be positioned after the cushions have been made up then offered into place on the seats to check allignment. Punched, fastened and those panels backed with smooth black leather on the underside to finish them off.



The door cards will be covered with the leather weave and the pockets and armrests with smooth matching red leather.



And finally, here's photo of an XK120 which John completely restored and re-trimmed so you have an idea of why I have so much confidence in his beautiful work.



More soon

Cheers,
Paul

964Luftballoon

That is going to look beautiful! I can't wait to see it finished.

Shamstar

Likewise, looking forward to seeing the end result!

Paul284pt

Thanks very much Guys


Hi Everyone,

I went to pay my motor a visit this morning and John was busy making up the seat covers and cushions. In this photo you can see by the grooves how much extra padding there is in the Sports seat cushions over the normal comfort ones.



This will cause a problem when we put the brass ferrules in as the edges will not sit in flush into the leather and may pull out or catch clothing. We checked what Singer do and it's looks as though they have more like comfort style cushions to get the ferrules flat and a more stable finish.



The piping for the seats. I wanted to keep them the same colour as I think a contrast might have been too much with the rest of the scheme.



This photo shows the chalk marks where the piping is stitched too.



The edges of the cushions have a rod which is stitched in all the edge (shown) so that the covers can be pulled down taught for definition.



The top cover offered to position.





I can't tell you how difficult it is to get and keep the basket weave to be parallel with the seat edges when stitching and John spent quite some time getting it perfect. All I can say is I'm pleased it's him who's doing it



Once the covers have been completely made up they will be fitted and pulled tight.

More next week.

Cheers,
Paul

GilesHanna

Phenomenal. An inspiration.