Re Trimming a 105

[Tim Jobson]

Are there any WA alfa owners who have used a motor trimmer that they were happy with, I need one to do all my seats in my 2L GTV.

As a general question to all 105 owners, has anyone gone through the exercise and compared whether it is better to buy the covers from an O/S supplier and get a trimmer to fit them or get the trimmer to do the lot.

Regards

Tim

[meizhak]

Hi Tim,

not sure where your located, but i use highway motor trimmers in midvale quite often through work and have always been happy with the end product.

run by two very experienced fellows. there phone number is 92742353. hope this helps

meizhak

[alfagtv58]

A bit of race tape will have that looking as good as new Tim 

Initial reaction is that local retrimmers would be much better than the offshore option.....but I haven't done that comparison.

[SimonR]

I have seen some of the prices in US and UK Alfa suppliers websites recently for ready made leather covers and the prices are crazy compared to custom made Australian ones from really good local trimmers. In the last few days I saw $2690 US for 2 x front seat covers for 105 GTVs and spiders to which you still need to add freight, duty, exchange rate and then you have to fit them still and I believe they are not entirely 100% leather ie leather facings but  vinyl backs and sides=Yuk!!.   A few years ago I paid $1500 for 2 x 105 spider seats in top quality black scottish UV leather (with full leather sides and backs, plus gear lever boot and handbrake boot) and they look fantastic and look exactly like the original look when the car was made. They were done in Melbourne by a very well known reputable trimmer who has done heaps of concourse Alfas and Ferraris, M/benzes etc (and Linfox personal collection) and I was even able to take the seats back for some foam/stuffing adjustment after 6 months of settling down.  However I believe his price for a full 105 GTV interior in 100% top quality leather including front and back door cards and carpet is around $5-6000 which sounds a lot but the result is absolutly fantastic if done reallywell. However I have seen some terrible leather (and cloth) jobs too so you need to be very carefull and see their work first before proceeding. 

Good luck Simon

[Sportscar Nut]

Tim

Reproduction original vinyl is available from Classic Alfa and Alfaholics in the UK (check out their website for full details) but is priced around 390 pounds (AU$800). I have seen the results and they look fantastic.

I am biased but do not like leather interiors in 105's - all leather interiors I have seen look 'restored' and loose the original feel. Would recommend purchasing a full vinyl set and having the seats retrimmed but will be an expensive exercise.

PS Don't allow a re-trimmer to replace the foam when recovering but rather have the trimmer add thin layers of foam over the worn areas to build up. Foam is almost impossible to replicate the original shape.

All the best.

Regards
Paul

[Tim Jobson]

Thanks guys for the input,  I will have to decide which way to go after getting some quotes from some trimmers.  ( Phil, I think it would cost me more in racing tape than retrimming!)

I suppose it may come down to what colour I want to end up with.   On thing that may sway me to getting the vinyl covers from OS is if they smell like the original ones, because again that was another feature of the 105 I love.   Can anyone verify this?

However will the stitching last longer from the OS supplied covers than the original ones or would local made one be better wearing?

Regards

Tim

[Nick Shardey]

Tim,
If it were possible to re-produce that old patina smell and bottle it we could make a fortune. I've done several re-trims and it is very hard to get away from the mild artificial smell as it is a mixture of plastics, tints and glues. Leather is better in that respect but with a little wear (particularly dark colours) it can look a bit sad and stretched. That said you would need to consider actually how many km's you might do.

To quote my motor trimmer "you can't beat the smell of 40+ years of knacker juice..." 

Personally I'd lean towards vinyl but good luck.

[Tim Jobson]

Nick, you said you have done several retrims, did any of those involve buying covers from OS and did you do it yourself or did you use a motor trimmer?    I agree with regarding vinyl covers as a better option, especially the good vinyls that can feel more leather like!

tim

[Nick Shardey]

Tim, I have never gone down the kit route as the ones available just weren't up to scratch due to the rarity of my cars but it seems that there are good quality kits for these Alfa's out there. It is just a matter if weighing up the cost of a custom job (granted they can supply the correct material) v's the kits. I would always have a specialist fit them though as there is a definite trick to getting them to fit correctly and there may also be issues with your frames ect that need to be addressed.

[Tim Jobson]

Thanks Nick, I am getting some quotes at present, colour will be the critical step.

Tim

[dfphoto]

If it interests anyone here in Melbourne I have a friend who is a great trimmer and his prices are also great, It's Rods trimming in Coldstream and Rod can be contacted on 03 97391417. He just repaired the rear seat in my series one 1750 GTV and has done many other jobs for me on various cars. I couldn't recommend him higher, he is usually pretty busy doing seats for most of the local Mustang sellers. Thanks David