Spitfire spitfire seat foam and skins

[wbdvt]

Hello,
Now that home remodel projects are done I can start something fun, like work on the spit.
The seats are in sad shape with lots of dry, crumbling foam falling out. They are original (1980) with black houndstooth coverings.
I have researched various options from upholstery shops, marine shops and others. This car is not a show car but a fun driver during the summer. It appears that my best option is to buy the seat foam and upholstery from a supplier such as Victoria British and have a local shop do the work.
My questions to all the more knowledgeable people on this forum are:
1. Does anyone have any preference on suppliers?
2. The Houndstooth and plain black vinyl upholstery kits are the same price. any pros & cons for either one?
3. I do not see any replacement back support straps in the catalog. If needed what should be used?
4. From what I have seen on this forum in the past, I think have a fair price to do the install of the foam and skins. It is very slow here and I was quoted $100-$150 to do the work for both seats.

any comments would be appreciated.
Thank you very much.

 

[3798j]

For the seat foam and covers, I'd order from Spitbits. Never a disappointment. That price quoted for installation sounds great.

 

[dklawson]

The elastic for the seats is available from Newton Commercial in the U.K.
https://www.newtoncomm.co.uk/cars/triumph-spitfire/model-153/seats/

The foams are not inexpensive from any source. They are also available from Newton. Of course... Newton also sells the upholstery. You might find that if you order all of the items from Newton that you can justify the shipping charges.

 

[Scott_Hower]

Reupholstering them is not that difficult. But if a pro shop is willing to do it for $100-$150, that's a steal.

I did mine not long ago, same houndstooth pattern. Very pleased with the results.

I bought the rubber backstraps from Rimmer Bros.

 

[glemon]

I wasx quoted $250 or so to put purchased skins on my tr250 seats, 150 sounds like a good deal, it is not too hard to do if you buy the parts, and a competent home mechanic will probably end up with good looking seats. If the upholstery shop is competent they will end up looking great. Up to you.