fstfwd

iTrader: (1)

So... after a few years of getting all my mechanical problems worked out (for now...) I have decided to start working on a few cosmetic issues. The first and big one, was a complete respray last summer... a nice bright silver once again.

Just a few days ago I addressed the next problem. My deteriorating black leather seats. After much research and deliberation I decided to go with red leather. I found some pics online of the '96 Type RZ Bathurst, and really like the way that they looked. Granted there are a few other red elements in that car, e.g. the carpet... I felt that it would go really well with the silver and black (and my red calipers, haha).

I ordered the seat covers from Katzkin, the only company that I am aware of that has the template for the '93 seats. Had them installed at a local, authorized Katzkin installation center in CT. Initially, upon ordering the seats, the guys there thought I was definitely "brave", but I decided that I would do it anyway.

I had the seats installed this Friday...

The guys were pretty funny... when I got there one of the guys who has been working with me was like "I'm not going to say anything, I am going to wait until you see them"... I got really nervous. I was now really anxious to see how they looked. So I quickly walked over to the car and checked it out.

First reaction... damn! They actually look really good! The red color was darker than I expected, which was a relief. I was afraid that it would be a really bright red, and would "glow", rather than blend in. I was like, these look prety good... and the guy there was like "damn right!"... and I guess all the other guys there agreed. That was definitely encouraging that I had done the right thing. So... we've overcome the first obsticle... color.

Next issue...fitting. I look at a lot picture of katkin installs, and read a few things online, and I expected that the covers would fit just as good as stock. In this I would say, not quite. So, instead of being 100% pleased... I'm only about 85%. That sucks, considering all the money I just spent. I looked at the seat closer and asked the guy about a few things. The seat covers fit pretty well on the bolsters... but the cushions left a little to be desired. They didn't seem tight enough and were a bit off. I know this is going to bug the **** out of me. The guy at the shop assured me that in a few weeks, with the warmer temps and sun that the leather would tighten up. This of course remains to be seen. But being the designer and perfectist that I am... I am completely hung up on this. I am used to the fitting of the stock leather - whcih I must say seems to use HALF the panels of leather (or pieces maybe)... and of course fits well. I was expecting just as good. I would have thought Katzkin would take an old OEM seat... cut it up, trace the panels... and duplicate it from that. I guess not.

So, after talking with the guy for a while he said... if it doesn't improve... we'll get a new kit or reinstall them and try to fix the situation. I hope that it will just resolve itself. In the meantime, I will just wait. It's frustrating a little... maybe my expectations were too high.. but it sticks out in my head like the one dent in your perfect paint job. I don't see cool, new, red seats... I see a bad fitting cover. Maybe I need my head examined. Hehe.

Well.. maybe I should have put this question in the beginning... but here goes. Has anyone else had their 3rd gen leather seats re-upholstered? Who did them? Did you use Katzkin and how did they fit?

I'm just wondering if I have any other alternatives.. worst case... I ebay my current covers... and start over. I'm not made of money.. but I find that I would rather be 100% thrilled with the results, and a little more broke.

Steve

Cowboyfun

At the dealership i work for we go through Classic Soft Trim in Fresno, Cali...they do nice work, take the seats, re-upolster them,and it feels like stock, only much nicer leather, gonna have them do my seats in june or july...costs about $400

bradt

good choice on the silver over red, looks sweet IMO but i have the exact color combo sorry they dont fit as you expected but still a great color choice.

fstfwd

iTrader: (1)

I showed the guys at work, and they think it looks pretty nice. I drove the car to work today - finally a nice SPRING day - and I think it is starting to grow on me. Hopefully the leather will tighten up a little in a few spots... I'm sure once the heat gets to it.

Bradt, is your red stock or aftermarket?

TpCpLaYa

iTrader: (10)

pics?

GARCO MOTORWORKS

I have a 94 silver with red carpit and red seats ,stock and I like it much better than the 93 silver with black leather I had . Good for you . I hope they tighten up for you . I may replace my covers latter and I want the great fit as you do . So let us know . I will need contact and pricing latter if it works out .

fstfwd

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys... thanks all for your feedback. My girlfriend and I have been driving around all day this weekend, and I must say - the red seats are really growing on me. We drove her down to get her hair cut at a place I go to in SoNo (CT) and all the girls there know me. They all came out to check out the car - which I conveinently parked in front of the salon - and REALLY liked the red seats. They haven't tightened up too much yet... but time will tell.

I'm excited to finish off the details in the interior now... with the extra leather that I have. I called up a gentleman at Raden Auto Upohlstery in Newington CT. He's been doing this for like 40 years and is the place of choice from local car collectors and restorators. The good news is that he said he could probably do what I want to do... which is to take some of the red leather and create an inset on the inner two "ovals" of my door panels... however, we're still not sure how much it will cost, and the other problem is he's backed up for 4 weeks. I wanted to get it done before HIN Boston... but that will have to wait. UNLESS... someone in CT knows of a place that would do this very custom kind of work - and soon.

Any thoughts?

P.S. I will try to take some pics soon! :o)

fstfwd

iTrader: (1)

Finally a few pics for ya. I've noticed that the red leather doesn't photograph well - at least, not the way I took it. It looks much better in person. It really looks sexy when it's a little darker out...

ech

I've been thinking about adding inserts into the door skins as well, just like you mentioned. It's great to hear that someone thinks it can be done. I hope you try it so I can see what it looks like ;-). If you do it - you should grab the pattern. Also been on the lookout for places that can do a perfectionist's job on recovering seats - but I'm behind you because I still need to get my car repainted, which is first priority.

travisorus rex

Door cards and panels are easier to do than seats. Cut. Sew. Glue.

7racer

NICE!! But you should have had them reuse the seat belt holders IMO

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...t+belt+holders

oh and about the fitment...did you have them replace the cushion? That may explain some of the fitment issues as my driver side cushion was DOA. Otherwise the seams are pretty much right on.

Can you take a higher-res pic of what you mean by the poor fitment?

fstfwd

iTrader: (1)

Actually, I wasn't aware that the Katzkin seats didn't come with them until after the install was done. I mentioned that too them at the shop and the guy was like - oh, we didn't notice that.... and it looks like they are sewed into the leather, so you might not be able to use them.

Thanks for the link 7racer... I just looked on the inside of the seat and it looks like there isn't much holding those things on. Unfortunately, it looks like the seat cover needs to come off to do this right - and it doesn't look like I can do that (nor really want to). I am going to call the place that installed my covers and see if I can get them to put them in.