Most authentic reuphostery kits?

[landmizzle]

Hi all,

A couple of monthis back the driver seat in my nearly perfect interior '72 240z, began to split at two points in the seams of the bottom-half seat. Barely, noticeable at first but, as you would guess, it's gotten worse and is now obvious.

Now that it's irritating me everytime I see it, I know it's time to replace the cover. I know that MSA, VB, Too Intense Restoration, and Classic Datsun Motorsports all sell reupholstry kits.

What I would like to know is which vendor supplies a kit that is most like the originals with regards to the pattern. Classic Datsun advertises their kit as the ones used in the "Z store" program, so that might be a good start. I believe the kit from Too Instense Restoration also comes in leather (just the top surfaces are leather) which might be nice but not exactly original.

So, has anyone purchased and installed any of the mentioned kits (or perhaps others)? How did the pattern comapre and were you happy with the quality?

Thanks for any opinions or suggestions!

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[MikeW]

I believe the kit from Too Instense Restoration also comes in leather (just the top surfaces are leather) which might be nice but not exactly original.

So, has anyone purchased and installed any of the mentioned kits (or perhaps others)? How did the pattern comapre and were you happy with the quality?

I got the standard vinyl covers from Too Intense. They are very close to original but not exact. The vinyl grain, the seams near the headrest, and the metal vent holes are all slightly different. They do offer many different color choices and since I was interested in changing my entire interior color they were the best option for me as I also got a matching full carpet set and headliner. If I haven't thrown out my original torn up seat covers I can probably take some photos showing the differences if you're interested.

[abas]

I also bought the to intense vinyl covers and would concur with MikeW, in that they are close but not exact. Quality seems good though.

I have seen pictures that show that classic datsun motorsports cover are much closer if not indistinguishable from original. There is a similar earlier thread that shows some pictures of the clasic datsun covers.

hope it helps

Andrew

[Marty Rogan]

I bought the MSA seat covers. My bet is that they are the same ones that Too Intense sells, since the description sounds just like what Mike W said.

I visited Classic Datsun once and saw their covers in person. I could not tell the difference from on original Nissan cover. The grain is the best match I have seen out there.

Marty

[DatsunZGuy]

I purchased a set of seat covers from Classic Datsun Motorsport a few years ago, which I have never mounted. The attached photos show who manufactured them, the part number and finally a comparison of the grain patterns (new covers versus original).

[jmark]

Looks very close. The guy refinished the seats in the Z I am looking at buying with this kit too.

[bpilati]

I purchased a set of seat covers from Classic Datsun Motorsport a few years ago, which I have never mounted. The attached photos show who manufactured them, the part number and finally a comparison of the grain patterns (new covers versus original).

This is exactly what I purchased from Les Cannaday. I bought an entire set of seat covers and foam replacements for both seats from Les for $395. I haven't installed these items yet, but the quality seems as good as one could expect.

If you buy leather you will not get the matching grain pattern as found on the center sections of the seats and the shift boot, not will you get the chrome air vents found on early seats. It's a tough decision, because leather is really nice, but if you want to maintain a reasonable level of authenticity, go with vinyl.

I'll tell you something else, I like supporting a man that has done a lot for the Z community when I can.

[Victor Laury]

I'll tell you something else, I like supporting a man that has done a lot for the Z community when I can.

That's a good way to look at it. I'd like to keep our vendors in buisness.

I can only get 2 years out of a set of seat covers.

[bpilati]

Sorry to hear that, I have a 71 510 with the interior still in awesome condition in 1981. Kept coating it with Pledge.

[Marty Rogan]

Sorry to hear that, I have a 71 510 with the interior still in awesome condition in 1981. Kept coating it with Pledge.

Pledge???????? Haven't heard that one. Are you using that instead of protectants, like Armorall, which is supposed to do more damage than good?

Lately, I have been using good old petroleum jelly on the dash, console and other interior panels. It has a nice sheen and puts some of the natural oils back into the vinyl. I don't use it on the seats for obvious reasons, and would like to find something for that.

Marty

[bpilati]

Correction: I had a 510.... Yes I used Pledge on the seat for years and so did my dad. I'm not sure if it was good or bad, but the vinyl was supple like new.

[landmizzle]

Hi all,

Since I started this post I thought it only fitting to follow-up on it.

I placed an order with Classic Datsun Motorsports. It took several weeks for the upholstery kit to arrive but, CDM was very good about keeping me informed of the order status.

I was impressed with the quality of the covers. The vinyl appears to be of good quality and the fit was excellent. I only covered the lower portion of the driver seat as the rest of the original covering was in good shape.

The grain is "just slightly" different. You would have to look very closely to notice a difference. The other component that is not an exact duplication is the piping on the seat that runs from front to rear on both sides. It is wider than storck and curves out slightly differently. Again, you would have to look very close to notice the difference.

In my car, since the seats are 3/4 original, you can tell a difference if you look for it. However, in a vehicle completely recovered, you would have an extremely hard time decerning the difference.

I've had the driver side seat covered for two months or so now and it has held up well. The fit is great; no unusual creases, folds, or stress marks.

Hope this helps someone in the future!

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z