Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[old iron]

For some years I have maintained the upholstery in my 1928 Vauxhall saloon. It is currently Bedford Cord and if not original it is very old. I have looked upon its condition as 'heavy patina' being worn and quite badly water stained, even though I have cleaned it several times it just looks very tired and of its age
I am now mulling over as to go for a re-upholster the rear compartment area, that is bench seat and backrest, door cards and the area up to the headlining.
If I go for it I will choose a light grey or mushroom coloured leather.

The front area I will retain as is. First, am I doing the right thing? Second how much money will it cost me, roughly. Thanks for comments.

[peter scott]

For what it's worth my view is that old seats should be repaired or patched if needs be but never abandoned.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[norustplease]

A full leather retrim will cost at least £1000, depending on how elaborate the seats are in terms of cushions etc. A fabric /cord reupholster should be cheaper, since the correct quality hides are very expensive. Pro rata that to get a rough idea, but you do need to take it and show it to someone and get a price.

In my view, it's a fine line between characterful and patinated, and derelict/ scruffy, and I see too many cars which are nicely turned out on the exterior, but totally run down internally. Plus, seats can become extremely uncomfortable as well as unsightly. I think that there comes a point when you have to say 'enough' and go for reupholstery.

My own advice would be to do the lot. I made the mistake of just redoing the extremely dilapidated front seats of a Morris 10 and leaving the relatively tidy back seat. It looked very odd indeed and it was only a few weeks before I had the back redone to match.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV

[old iron]

Thanks, all views appreciated.

[Ashley]

Reupholstering old cars can be fearfully expensive because materials are. Check hide prices with the Real Hide Company. And to make them properly is a considerable amount of money. I'm guessing but I think £3-5000 is more likely how much it might cost to be done properly by a proper trimmer and that front seats could be £1200 each.

One thing you don't want is a bad job with nasty leather, because it kills the car.

[old iron]

Thank you again, I appreciate the points of view offered. My car is used for steam rallies and shows, additionally I offer it for wedding hire. It is the hire side which is prompting me to go for the retrm to be honest. I won't rush into it.

[Ray White]

I'm with Peter on this one. I have re upholstered my Austin Swallow but you wouldn't think it! You might think this is just because I am a poor trimmer but I assure you the "look" is quite intentional. What I did was to repair and refurbish the original leather; there were over 30 holes and tears in the front seat alone! I found the job was not difficult but it took a lot longer to repair the front seat using old leather than it would with new materials (80 hours) but it does still look old.
I used the original stitch holes and found the process quite easy but of course this can only be done if the leather is not rotten. A good soaking with neats foot oil softens hard leather then it can be cleaned and maintained with saddle soap.

I would sound a note of caution with stitching 80 year old leather! I managed to stab my finger with the needle and it became infected. The infection spread and I had to be treated with anti - biotics

The main reason I suggest sticking with the old material is that it is very difficult if not impossible to match the new leather in the back with that in the front. One thing that might be worth investigating is the option of renewing the Bedford Cord. This is probably the original and would in my opinion be a better option than trying to match old and new leather. The alternative would be a complete re trim in new leather which would then at least be all of a piece but would destroy the original material which would probably be a shame.

[Keith D]

I upholstered two of my cars about ten years ago. Both were total restorations and there were no original seat coverings to patch up. I chose to use leather in both cases and the same motor trimmer did a superb job on both.

I regularly treat the seats with all sorts of preservatives and polishes including Maguires leather treatment, saddle soap, even dubbin and of course shoe polish of the same colour. (Red for the Austin and tan for the Chrysler) It's hard work and all must be removed of course to prevent passengers clothing from getting ruined, but the effort is worth it. The very hot summer sun in Australia is a natural enemy.

After ten years the seats are getting beautifully soft and have lost the somewhat 'stiff' feel of new leather. However, there is still none of the delightful 'patina' of age. The seats have not yet attained surface cracking and crease marks that one would expect from an old car. They are not used daily and so this effect is till a number of years away.

It was expensive to have the seats made of a high quality leather, but I'm personally very glad that I did.

Your choice!

Keith

[mikeC]

If the original upholstery is worn and stained, but not actually damaged, I would suggest leaving well alone and investing in purpose-made fitted covers for your wedding use.

The vast majority of re-trims that I have seen have failed to impress me - they look 'modern' and usually fail to match the original for fit and style. The Morris Cowley that I recently sold was one of very few that I could say I was truely impressed with, and that had cost over £5,000 ten years ago!

[baconsdozen]

I have a spare set of seats that have been dyed many times by previous owners. I'm guessing there is nothing that can penetrate the dye?. The seats are OK but very stiff,I'd like to soften them without having to remove the dye etc.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Riley Blue]

Neatsfoot oil is reckoned to be good for softening hardened leather though I've never tried it.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[norustplease]

I think that the key message here for Old Iron is to take the car around to a couple of local upholsterers and get their views and quotes on what can be done and for what cost.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV

[Rootes75]

I had a lovely 1939 Hillman 14 a few years back, she had been completely re-trimmed by a previous owner, the leather never smelt or felt right. Just too new and I think it detracted something from the car. I did later see photos of the original seats and although worn I would never have replaced them, if it were my choice.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Ashley]

[old iron]

Thanks chaps for some really interesting posts. I particularly like MikeC point regarding the seat covers that could be made up. I have decided this is the way forward for me.
Thanks again everybody