Seats worn: new upholstery advice request

[earckens]

My 1964 TR4 has vinyl front seats that are getting torn apart at the sews. What advice can you give regarding getting these seats a new upholstery (leather?)?

1. things to look out for
2. how to find and choose a workshop doing this kind of work?
3. we are located in France, getting the seats shipped to the UK is one option, another is to find a EU workshop?
4. Any relevant comments?

Thanks for your feedback!

Erik

 

[earckens]

Edit: I just discovered that this is a job perfectly doable by oneself.

My TR4 has serial number CT38664. When checking the current seats I discovered that there is not even a spring base under the foam. So I guess those seats must have been cobbled together by a previous owner?

 

 

Edited May 5, 2025 by earckens
syntax

[stuart]

7 minutes ago, earckens said:

Edit: I just discovered that this is a job perfectly doable by oneself.

My TR4 has serial number CT38664. When checking the current seats I discovered that there is not even a spring base under the foam. So I guess those seats must have been cobbled together by a previous owner?

 

 

TR Shop would supply you with all the bits you need if you fancy doing them yourself.

Stuart.

[earckens]

Hi Stuart, is this their address: https://www.trshop.co.uk/ ?

Thanks for letting me know because I only new Rimmer's and Moss.

[james christie]

I suspect that the TR Shop, like others, buy in from John Skinner:

john-skinner.co.uk

The site is in Google French if you wish!

james

 

 

[earckens]

@james christie I had found him meanwhile too, thanks for the heads-up.

I am so used to the classics (Rimmer's and Moss) that I have no idea others are in the business too.

[BlueTR3A-5EKT]

1 hour ago, earckens said:

@james christie I had found him meanwhile too, thanks for the heads-up.

I am so used to the classics (Rimmer's and Moss) that I have no idea others are in the business too.

It is important to find alternative suppliers as Moss and Rimmers are the same company now.

 We can give you links to others if you wish.   

[earckens]

Yes please, do send/give me some alternative suppliers; I would appreciate this very much.

Rimmers and Moss have merged? When did that happen?

[Lebro]

TR Shop  Chiswick

Bob

[earckens]

10 hours ago, Lebro said:

TR Shop  Chiswick

Bob

Great, thanks @Lebro and @stuart for that TR Shop reference; I will get to them for parts in the future.

[earckens]

This video is being of great help: my car is exactly the same (even the colour) as the one in the video, same outside trimmings and light fixtures, .. My seats are not in such a bad condition as in the video though, but the vinyl is getting torn and already slightly falling apart.

I did send a mail to TR Shop and to John Skinner with a quotation request. Now see how this all can be shipped across the channel to "mainland" 😏.

[stuart]

18 hours ago, james christie said:

I suspect that the TR Shop, like others, buy in from John Skinner:

john-skinner.co.uk

The site is in Google French if you wish!

james

 

 

No they dont. They have better suppliers

Stuart.

[earckens]

2 hours ago, stuart said:

No they dont. They have better suppliers

Stuart.

Hi Stuart, who do you refer to with "they"? TR Shop?

 

[stuart]

1 hour ago, earckens said:

Hi Stuart, who do you refer to with "they"? TR Shop?

 

Yes, TR Shop have a lot of the parts they stock made especially for them.

Stuart.

[David Farmery]

On 5/6/2025 at 8:58 AM, earckens said:

This video is being of great help: my car is exactly the same (even the colour) as the one in the video, same outside trimmings and light fixtures, .. My seats are not in such a bad condition as in the video though, but the vinyl is getting torn and already slightly falling apart.

I did send a mail to TR Shop and to John Skinner with a quotation request. Now see how this all can be shipped across the channel to "mainland" 😏.

John Skinner are not that good at responding; you can’t speak to anyone directly, have to book a call with John Skinner, never had a return phone call

[John Bracher]

I have also used Aldridge Trimming for some items

https://www.aldridge.co.uk/

They also offer a discount if you are a Register member, and seem decent quality.......

[earckens]

n@John Bracher Thanks, I just sent them an inquiery. Still awaiting response from John Skinner and from TR Shop.

[james christie]

17 hours ago, David Farmery said:

have to book a call with John Skinner, never had a return phone call

That's no way to run a business!!

james

[earckens]

I contacted all references mentioned here but the final call came to rest with John Skinner. TR Shop made one reply, but then silence after a follow up email.

I now decided on the upgrade to the original seating: smooth leather face, vinyl sides, with white piping. And also complete renewal of carpets, all wool.

The price being quoted seemed quite acceptable, we had several detailed exchanges to ascertain the type of seat frame of my car.

We recently decided to ask price as well at a local (France) reputed classic car upholstery specialist. We visited his workshop last week, impressive equipment and excellent trustworthy reviews. However, this morning his quote came along by mail: 2.5x the price of the one given by John Skinner. One caveat: the French specialist would do all the work. But still...

[stuart]

3 hours ago, earckens said:

I contacted all references mentioned here but the final call came to rest with John Skinner. TR Shop made one reply, but then silence after a follow up email.

I now decided on the upgrade to the original seating: smooth leather face, vinyl sides, with white piping. And also complete renewal of carpets, all wool.

The price being quoted seemed quite acceptable, we had several detailed exchanges to ascertain the type of seat frame of my car.

We recently decided to ask price as well at a local (France) reputed classic car upholstery specialist. We visited his workshop last week, impressive equipment and excellent trustworthy reviews. However, this morning his quote came along by mail: 2.5x the price of the one given by John Skinner. One caveat: the French specialist would do all the work. But still...

I still expect you get what you pay for and your French specialist would also fit everything which will make a huge difference to the look as opposed to buying in generic parts. I know which I would go for and that would be your local supplier 

Stuart

[David Farmery]

Consider buying a pair of Mazda seats from Paul Bishop, you won’t be disappointed.
When restoring my 4a I went for originality and had the vinyl seats re-covered. I’ve since changed to Mazda seats for comfort and safety ( headrest). Wished I’d listened to others who advised swopping to Mazda seats , expensive error on my part.

If you do go down the Mazda route I have a few sets of purpose made brackets that I need to move on!

Paul doesn’t ship any of his seats. I’ll probably be driving down to the south of France in September, dependant upon where you live I might be able to drop them off!

David

 

[earckens]

Hi David, thanks for the info and the offer. But we drive less than 800 km per year, so the 'comfort criterium' sits way below the 'originality criterium' for us here.

Edited June 25 by earckens

[David Farmery]

Understandable, we’d be at Lacoste, not far away!

[earckens]

@David FarmeryYou received a pm.

Erik