"White" seat covers?

[24 Ounces]

Hey Guys...I bought a pair of seat covers to replace my badly beat-up originals (white interior), and got some covers that appear to be something closer to light tan than white. The seller has a no refund policy. Supposedly these covers were made by the same outfit that made the covers for the Nissan 240Z restoration program. I had heard that the repop covers weren't correct, but I'm amazed at how far off these covers really are. Attached are a couple of photos of the covers next to an off-white towel (don't have any bright white towels), and on carpet that is a very light tan (note the covers blend in very well with light tan). Has anyone been able to source correct "white" covers, or do I need to have them custom made? As always, thanks.

Edited October 13, 2011 by 24 Ounces
corrected errors

[5thhorsemann]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-Seat-Upholstery-Kit-Off-White-NEW-1970-1973-/270832573016?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0ee11a58

Just so happens I ran across these this morning, calling them off white, but they look much whiter than what you have.

[jfa.series1]

Check with Bryan Rolfe at Seatz Mfg. to see if has your white covers. All his work is restoration quality at competitive prices. Great products and great service.

http://www.seatzmfg.com/seatz/index.htm

bryan@seatzmfg.com

Jim

[24 Ounces]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-Seat-Upholstery-Kit-Off-White-NEW-1970-1973-/270832573016?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0ee11a58

Just so happens I ran across these this morning, calling them off white, but they look much whiter than what you have.

This is the same guy I bought the off color seat covers from (just got them today). Apparently he is getting out of the Datsun parts business. I think the covers he's selling now will probably be just as bad as the ones I got (they are shown on light gray carpet and appear somewhat lighter than mine, but who knows). The centers of mine are god awful...don't even look close to my crappy originals...more tan than "off white"). I would rather spend more money and get the most correct stuff than be perpetually disappointed with settling on covers I know will never look right. I will check with Bryan (thanks for the info, BTW).

[ajmcforester]

I had good white originals it's not 100% sure but they don't look like the rite color. The replicas are bright white so they are not close either, however I rather have bright while over the dark cream

[24 Ounces]

AJ...I agree...I would much rather have bright white than these two-tone tan covers. Attached are a couple of photos of a really nice survivor '72 with code 110 paint and an original white interior (an Ebay Z from UT as I recall). I believe the original is pretty close to bright white. Code 110 Zs are pretty common (look at the online 240Z Registry for proof of that), but the white interior really shows nicely (even more with blue met Zs like yours).

[ajmcforester]

The problem with white and pictures is they can look whiter than they are. In 24 Ounces's pictures the panels actually look too white it's hard to tell if they were dyed or not, because pictures can give a bright white look to the off white. I will tell you Datsun did use a color trick with the seats, they were a little brighter white than the panels making the interior look whiter than it was.

Some other things about the materials to make the seat covers that I have found taking my seat to shops and talking to companies that make the covers. for my current Z that are in black. I only mention this since you sound like you care about accuracy. You'll find that some the vinyl patterns will not match well the back the the seat they match pretty well, the front of the seat well the center section they can't get close to it I can spot that difference from 20' and the sides of the front of the seats somewhat match OK, at least enough that it's hard to tell. The piping well they seem to be able to get that 1/2 correct the smaller piping in the seats is not made any more so they use the same size. The vents are very close to the originals, the guy from Seatz stated he found them used on an industrial product unrelated to cars, and it seems everyone uses that same vent. I'm not very well impressed with the replacement covers my self. The covers out their seem to fit very well and I wonder if Japan has the correct materials for the seats, if so the seats could be made more accurately.

[JLPurcell]

Les at Classic Datsun Motorsports can hook you up with a set.

classicdatsun.com

[5thhorsemann]

You could have your new covers dyed to get them closer rather than trying to buy another set, just an idea.

[Captain Obvious]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-240Z-Seat-Upholstery-Kit-Off-White-NEW-1970-1973-/270832573016?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f0ee11a58

Cough... Cough... "Shipping: $34.50 Expedited Shipping"

$35 bucks for shipping??? This kind of shipping cost gouging is a perfect example of why ebay started charging sellers a percentage of the shipping cost.

I mean, if the sales price is low enough and the bottom line is acceptable, then it doesn't really matter. It's just annoying. :disappoin

[IdahoKidd]

There is a definate color difference between 72 and 73 model years. One is white, the latter off white. I bought 'white' for my 72 from Motorsports and they were dead perfect to go with the white interior panels from Les at Datsun Motorsports. The first set I bought on ebay were to tan and gave them away...

[Bonzi Lon]

Since starting the refreshment of my 73 off white interior, I've come to the conclusion its going to be hard to match the different pieces. The plastic parts had yellowed over the years, so they got the SEM 15103 applied, whiter than I remember in 77, more like post #6.

The door panels & dog legs aged the same rate, but not like the diamond vinyl or headliner material, they in turn don't match the new plastic panels. The chrome strip on the door panel had fallen off to reveal the blue plastic, which matches the exterior. Nice surprise there.

The least expensive idea I've had is SEM all the interior white parts except the seats, luggage riser and trans tunnel, they would be the stock black.

Lots of expensive ways to go though.

Bonzi Lon