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Seat covers

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scoutll

scoutll

Jedi Knight
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I'm beginning the search for some seat covers for my car. Mine are OK, but are cheap replacements put on in 1973. Specifically, the MK1, GAN2 Midget "horseshoe" style seats in the bright cherry red color. I have tried color samples from the usual (AH Spares, Moss, VB, Prestige ect) and none of them have the bright red material. Only the more wine red color like Jack has in Miss Agatha. Has anyone found a good source? You would think someone out there makes the correct color. I suppose I will eventually have to find material and have them made.
Picture shows the color. Second picture shows the difference between the interior and seat covers avaiable now.
 

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Brian
My interior is the same color as yours. My exterior is black and I have black seats with white piping. What did you say was wrong with the seats in it now? They look ok from here. I really don't think that available red looks that bad with the rest of your red. What are you using for door seals? Looking for new ones for my car.
Mike
 
mk2sprite said:
Brian
My interior is the same color as yours. My exterior is black and I have black seats with white piping. What did you say was wrong with the seats in it now? They look ok from here. I really don't think that available red looks that bad with the rest of your red. What are you using for door seals? Looking for new ones for my car.
Mike
Click to expand...

Mike, Your car sounds like the Sprite twin to mine (see below)!!!!! Post a picture.
The seats are in great shape, but are replacement covers put on in 1973. The pattern is wrong (no pleating ect). I am looking around for replacments in the original pattern. The door seals are the original style seals. I don't know if they are original or if they were replaced at some time, but are in good condition.
The red that is available now clashes terribly, trust me. The picture may not seem that way to you, but it does :pukeface:. I bought a set from Moss a while back just to verify (thats the new one in the picture). They assured me it was close when I talked to them and said I could send them right back if they didn't. I sent them back.
I actually sent a color sample to AH Spares. They told me that the color of my interior was used on some late 50's Healeys (possibly some A's), early 60's Spridgets and Jags, and may have been used in some early Mini's, but was no longer available.
When the time comes, I think I'll have them made. It just may be easier.
 

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Man, that red is red, It really looks great against the black.
 
I wonder if your current ones are in otherwise good shape, if they couldn't just be modified to add some of those center pleats.
 
kellysguy said:
jlaird said:
Man, that red is red, It really looks great against the black.
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Why you think he wants that same red again ?!?!?!?!?!
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Exactly :thumbsup:
I think this "hurt yer eyes" red is absolutely perfect for this car. About as late 50's early 60's as you can get. Plus, the rest of the interior is still good, so I would rather keep it original.
The currently available color would work fine, if the entire interior needed replacment, or if I didn't want to keep this original color so bad.
I'll just have to stick with what I have until I find the perfect match.
Most anyone else wouldn't even know that the covers aren't the right pattern. Now, I would expect pretty much anyone here could point it out though. :jester:
 
I did not realize yours were not pleated. If you have them made I'm sure you can find the correct color. I purchased my material from a shop when I did mine.some 25+ years ago. Mine was originally red but that more dull red. I like this much better. Sorry, this is the only pictures of my car I have at the moment as my computer crashed 2 times in a 6 month sp0an, lost MANY pictures.
Mike
 

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Mike. It's almost like looking at pictures of mine!!! Thanks for posting.

Judging by the cockpit and dash trim, I assume yours is a HAN7, right?
 
Brian
Yep, HAN 7, Nov. '63. It has always had black seats since I got it so they may have been changed at some point.
I need to find some door trim that works on these side curtain cars. I was going to go with McGregors Red Bristleflex but he never has it and at this point I'm not sure I want to spend that much if there is something else that works. I found some real nice ones in original red cloth (cotton) but they faded in no time. Does yours still have a 1098cc?
 
I would guess the seat covers were replaced. I'm almost sure that the HAN7/GAN2 cars didn't come with seats different from the trim. Only the very early HAN6/GAN1 had crazy mixed up seat/door panel combinations.
Have you tried AH Spares for the seals. Check places for bugeye applications. That will fit and they are much more common than yours is.

Mine is a early GAN2, Jan 63.
Yes, still has the original engine (rebuilt in 98), tranny (rebuilt in 98). Most of the interior and paint are original too. 38000 miles. It was covered and stored in a heated building from 73-98, so the body and interior held up very well. Brakes, clutch, fuel lines ect didn't hold up so well and were replaced when the owner at the time finally decided to take it out and sell it.
After a couple other owners who parked it in garages and left it sit, I got ahold of it. It only sits in the winter now.
 
jvandyke said:
I wonder if your current ones are in otherwise good shape, if they couldn't just be modified to add some of those center pleats.
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I think that may cost as much as making the whole thing, but it's also worth looking into.
 
I got my red BE door seals from AH Spares. Traditional woven fabric, very good quality. Color is Cherry Red rather than Bright Red, however.
 
WOW!!k 38000 miles, Cream Puff. It is beautiful. I have owned mine since '76. I put aa 1275 in it. Mechanically it is perfect, everything works. Recently did a full front suspension rebuild with Super flex bushings added a sway bar. I recovered the seats last winter. It has about 90,000 miles. It was re painted about 25 years ago and is due. Actually the car should be stripped and redone properly but we have too much fun driving it. One of these days?? This was the car that got me into LBC's. Actually it is the first car I ever pruchased. I will check with AH Spares for the seals. Hopefully I can find a picture or two..
Mike
 
scoutll said:
Mine is a early GAN2, Jan 63.
Yes, still has the original engine (rebuilt in 98), tranny (rebuilt in 98). Most of the interior and paint are original too. 38000 miles.
Click to expand...


I've always loved your car but now I REALLY love it! Promise me that you'll contact me fisrt if you ever decide to sell it. (That is, if that spot isn't already taken but I have a feeling it's already spoken for.)


WOW indeed !!!!
 
My 7 year old grand daughter would be very upset if I ever did sell it. She has already let all the others know that it is hers, so don't bother asking Papa. If I ever do decide to sell though, you are first. :thumbsup: Besides, the poor car probably wouldn't know what to do if it left ND for good. It's been up here in the frozen north its whole life.
 
Ray
Those woven ones are the ones I have now but the color faded away veryu quickly, they are bleached almost white now. I'm thinking of going over that type with some of this new fabric spray paintm might hold it's color better??
 
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