Lotus Elan Central

Hi Guys,

I'm a little stuck on what is the best thing to do.

I'm currently doing up Sarah's old Red NA Elan. I have stripped the interior our, carpets seats door cards etc, and sent it off for her respray.

This has now been done and she looks fantastic.

I will upload photos ASAP.

I'm struggling with what to do with the seats and the carpets.

Do I go with recovering the original leather seats as they were with the red stripe or do I change the colour to say Black or Cream with a red edge?

OR do I replace with some other seats Mini, MX5 Porsche etc?

Regarding the carpet do I stick with the original which is currently in my bath soaking in cleaning fluid or do I get a new one in Red?

Options and decisions!! I know its going to be my ultimate choice but can you guys please give me feedback?

TIA

regards


John

Do you want to keep it as near original as possible or not?

I guess that you don't!

New carpets refurbished original pattern seats in my book. Original without being anal.

Mini seats or whatever will knock the desirability when it comes to resell.

Dave Eds wrote:Do you want to keep it as near original as possible or not?

I guess that you don't!

I suppose that's the question!!

OK - let me rephrase my question:

Should I keep the car original or update it?

Cheers

John

The Mini seats are comfy

tb10 wrote:OK - let me rephrase my question:

Should I keep the car original or update it?

I think this question is one that only you can answer.

The look of the original striped SE seats really brings out Marmite opinions. Personally, I like them a lot because they have that retro look, reflect the age of the car and I do like the originality. Others, though, hate them and can't wait to change/recover them to a more modern and/or restrained look.

One car I've seen recently has had the seats newly recovered, maintaining the red stripe but with a much darker grey (maybe black?) background and with red piping. I have to admit that, to me, they looked absoluely fantastic. I wouldn't have taken that route myself but, wow, did they look good?

I get the feeling that, one way or another, you would really like to update the seats but are worried about losing some of its originality. It is a dilemma but, as I said, I think only you can resolve it. Anybody, including me, who says to go one way or the other is merely expressing their own prejudices.

I can see that all the above is of no help to you whatsoever, sorry.

inkitin wrote:

tb10 wrote:OK - let me rephrase my question:

Should I keep the car original or update it?

I think this question is one that only you can answer.

The look of the original striped SE seats really brings out Marmite opinions. Personally, I like them a lot because they have that retro look, reflect the age of the car and I do like the originality. Others, though, hate them and can't wait to change/recover them to a more modern and/or restrained look.

One car I've seen recently has had the seats newly recovered, maintaining the red stripe but with a much darker grey (maybe black?) background and with red piping. I have to admit that, to me, they looked absoluely fantastic. I wouldn't have taken that route myself but, wow, did they look good?

I get the feeling that, one way or another, you would really like to update the seats but are worried about losing some of its originality. It is a dilemma but, as I said, I think only you can resolve it. Anybody, including me, who says to go one way or the other is merely expressing their own prejudices.

I can see that all the above is of no help to you whatsoever, sorry.

No no - its mega help and sums up the situation perfectly!

I've now spoken to Bromsgrove Auto trimmers who can do the seats, original spec with red stripe, and fit heated seat pads for £500. The door cards are fine - just need a clean!

Any other options on trimmers or is Bromsgrove the way to go (notwithstanding thats where I live so not far to travel!!)

Cheers for advice in advance!

John

tb10 wrote:No no - its mega help and sums up the situation perfectly!

Glad to help!

tb10 wrote:and fit heated seat pads

I fitted heated seat pads a couple of year's ago and absolutely love 'em. On a cold sunny winter's day wear a warm hat, put the top down, the heater on full blast, the heated seats on plus a windstopper, there's not much better. Mind you, other drivers' looks make it clear they think you're completely bonkers but who cares?

tb10 wrote:I've now spoken to Bromsgrove Auto trimmers who can do the seats, original spec with red stripe, and fit heated seat pads for £500. The door cards are fine - just need a clean!

Sounds like a good price & they did a nice job with Martin Bailey's.
I've getting an interior refurb soon too. I will be getting rid of the red stripe though.

When your there could you ask them if they can do the "half trim" please...

Or more to the point do they have a source for the OEM Material, or something that's nearly an exact match.

Lotus used the last of the OEM material to cover their work benches and thus Lotus trim shop has no more...

TTFN

Hi tb10,

See this thread for a picture of my car's interior which was (as 'rip' quite rightly points out) retrimmed by Bromsgrove Auto Trimmers.

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=11296&p=182891#p182891

Cheers,

Martin.

martin_bailey_1 wrote:Hi tb10,

See this thread for a picture of my car's interior which was (as 'rip' quite rightly points out) retrimmed by Bromsgrove Auto Trimmers.

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=11296&p=182891#p182891

Cheers,

Martin.

I also have used these guys, to repair my seat, they did a great job, and at a good price, I would recommend you have a chat with them before you decide,
BTW I have a SE with all gray leather (no stripe), I believe it was a option on the later SE.

Gee0

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for all your replies.

I will go and see Broms Auto Trimmers in the week and let you all know what I've decided.

Regards to all!


John

Possible slight change of plan..........

I have just collected a pair of black 2010 R171 Mercedes Benz SLK full leather heated seats with Airscarf to fit into my NA.

(I know they need a clean before I'm told! )

I just hope they fit, if not I'll sell them on!