Bolster Cloth Black

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi,

I was trawling round the french forum site this am, and came a cross a member led group buy of the black bolster cloth.

The cloth is sold by a french firm called ASCI (they sell it on Ebay-FR for €49 a metre. I came across this fabric last summer but didn't like the price. It is supposed to be very close to the original in appearance.

French forum link

I must applaud these guys though, as they do seem to get together and buy what they need. This is all the more galling to myself as my British trim supplier of a good version of this fabric has told me the Italian manufacturer has stopped production - Boo Hoo!

To cut to the chase , however, In order to get the Italian manufacturer to make more material I would need to place a "special" order for 200 metres, this would cost me £20 per metre, 100 metres worth payable with order, the rest payable in 3 momths. This is actually half the price of the French version (and I always thought the fabric was better) and I'm sure we could sell to them as well as they must see the benefits. Ideally it would be great if the 2 forums could actually co-operate and form a joint purchasing venture (monster group buy ?)

which would hopefully result in us getting what we need - especially the Rallye owners of this world.

Whilst the location and purchase of these specialist materials is fragmented and rather disjointed, we will not get the best deals. Something I have encountered in time and time again during my somewhat fruitless researches.

I just ask you,therefore, to consider these points.

1. Possible contact with our French friends to form a joint purchase scheme for all members benefit

2. The formation of a UK led group buy of material - £20 a share co-operative say

Note. a 1.6 cloth bolstered car needs 1 metre per seat to do the bolster covers.

The same logic applies to my SMS dealings , of course, the firm who said they could reproduce "Quartet" fabric. I have mentioned this to a French forum member and he is keen for them to proceed with first contact.We shall see what develops - but I suspect as they are so infatuated with getting a "Quartet" fabric , if it looks OK they'll do it! French chaivinism is always a problem though.

These are just a few thoughts I've had on the matter of 205 interior trim - my current infatuation

Happy hols to you all

Dave H

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

I really shouldn't have muddied the water should I. I knew that ASCI were checking me out (my trusty IPmonitor prog found them out).

They have gone from being Jonny no products to this in about 4 months.

ASCI seat covers

They, of course have the material to do it. - curse those darned Frenchies!

Dave

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

I have ordered up and just received (today) a metre of the the said ASCI material. I wanted to see what you got for your money and also how long it took to get here as I might be buying regular small batches off them to do my Rallye replica seats.

To be honest it looks a good material and is better quality than the (cheaper ) variant I find in the UK. Because of the price and the fact that it will be used for a specific seat (the Rallye) I have also decided on new fabric for the black bolster repair kits. One which is more in line pricewise with the last fabric I bought (B09 needlecord) and in my opion looks better. UK availability and long term supply has to be established yet, however I do know the owner of the firm so I'm hoping a phone/email confirmation will be OK.

I wish to keep the price of the cloth bolster replacements down a reasonable level and I think this 2 fabric approach is better.

Currently I have slipped on my cloth bolster launch date as I have had revised patterns to verify with my machinist (Amanda) plus I wanted to get the new fabrics in house as well to have a look at them. I should be in a better position to report on progress by the end of this week, Thye cloth bolsters will retail at - Thigh Bolsters £20 each and squab bolsters at £15 each

The ASCI version of the Rallye seats was a slight damp squib as forum member "Gentrix" tells me thay don't have them for sale anymore.

Interesting .

Foam sales are picking up now after the holiday and I am happy to have an income now (at last) after more than 12 months of expenditure. I have upgraded the fitting notes and these are available from my site for download from "TB foams" page of the shop.

Will be revising the site navigation and shopping cart procedures in the light of great (and constructive) comments from users.

It's a lovely day and I can feel a beer break looming.

best regards

Dave

[burr_2000 1]

Hi dave loving your enthusiasm and looking forward to your final product. heres a link to rallye badges which i found on french ebay incase anyone is interested.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130514117439&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi,

thanks for your input. I've seen these and they are the "applique" version which may be hand sewn on seperately (or glued). John Goodhand's design was better as it was slightly larger and covered up any cutouts or holes. For my Rallye seats I shall machine embroider the "Flamme" into the seats. I am happy with the ASCI fabric - it does look good, but I won't use it for the bolster repair kits, it's quite expensive and I am going to use a better wearing black cloth for those. Just settled the details for my Alcantara supply, this being part of my Product #3 preparation work. (the black leather bolsters with Grey Alcantara inserts, seat covers).

I have black cloth squab bolster covers made up and ready for sale, and with luck and a following wind I will also have the thigh bolater covers by the end of this week,early next. (product #2). The final item to be sourced is the black leather for the bolsters, I'm thinking Jag XK leather - which is nice! Once I have a consistent supply then I can commence full seat cover production.

I apologise not having all products available - but there's a lot happening "chez Dave's" and it will come together quite soon.

Glad you're enjoying my thread still - it must have run for over 10 months now

This is quick piccy of the new squab colster covers (black cloth - B09)

just pinned them on to check.

 

 

regards

Dave

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

spent a few hours playing with the traffic on A444 round Coventry yesterday evening. All in all a productive visit to see my machinist (Amanda) dropped off more pre-cut bolsters and discussed the patterns for the vinyl backpiece for the front seat squabs. It is coming together (albeit slowly) , but each pattern section has to be verified and the general fit established before we can move on to the next stage. Feedback I've been getting from my first customers about my thigh bolsters is very positive and I am happy that both the concept and the engineering stood up well. I can now see fields of one bolstered (the wrong one, of course) seat cushions cheering me for having rescued them from oblivion or worse the tip. You know you want to be eco-friendly - buy my thigh bolsters I have spent time getting my Alcantara supply line established - contacted Milan to talk about their product. They were very helpful - unlike the majority of Brit firms who just think you're a nuisance if you ask things. I am looking at some samples of XK black upholstery leather for the GTi bolsters - it looks and feels really nice and isn't that expensive either and will look the dogs b*******cks with a middle grey Alcanatara insert. Mmmmm... nice.

regards

Dave

PS made a few mods (customer led) to my site to ease access and general use.

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi Everyone,

The black bolster repair kits are nearly there now, here's a quick piccy of the squab bolster covers. Just sewed them into place today and popped them on seat to have a quick look. The purpose of this was to make sure my overall sewing lines were correct, They are not stretched into place (or hog ringed) so they look a bit of a loose fit in these shots. Amanda is working on the pre-production thigh bolsters and once I'm happy with the fit then I'll launch product #2 - the long awaited cloth bolster repair kits. We're getting there (slowly).

Keep the faith.

regards

Dave

 

 

Edited May 10, 2011 by dch1950

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

I wasn't very happy with my seams so I took it apart and did it again. Looks a lot better now and when it's stretched and hog ringed will look superb. You may of course be thinking - I can't do all this sewing business, and maybe you personally can't but if I can do it then certainly your mom,girlfriend, sister etc can manage it. My problem has been getting used to my big industrial machine, and now I'm happy using it then new products will come fairly fast (I hope). These are the front seat squab bolster covers in Black cloth (B09) and will look great - I'm fitting these actual ones to my own 1.6 (at bloody last ) so expect in-situ pictures next week. The squab covers are available now and are £15 each. The thigh bolsters will be ready next week (£20 each).

Keep the faith.

regards

Dave

 

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

As you can see I'm a bit of a bugger for detail, and I wasn't happy with the seam line on the squab covers so I reworked the pattern, scrapped some fabric off , re-cut and took them over to my machinists to re-do them. I pick them up this evening along with the thigh bolsters I cut out last week. I am hoping this will see me in the position of making up a cover (for my own PUG) and then the before/after piccys will materialise. This has been quite a drawn out procedure but as the fabric is very forgiving it is vital to get the fit right before moving to either Alcantara or Auto hide - where such mistakes are costly.

I remember this time last year and realise (with no little satisfaction) how far I've actually come. I know it's not always been at the rate I wanted but I will get there. "Keep the Faith"

regards to you all

Dave

PS made my first delivery of bolster foams to OZ. 7 days from UK to Adelaide - not bad going - World domination comes next

PPS - I am currently looking to service a request from a French 205 CTi owner for foams and bolster covers, he says he has a "Biarritz" style interior - anybody know this one - or have piccys of it (Henry?)

D

[feb 47]

A quick google revealed this:

http://205gti-deluca.e-monsite.com/rubrique,recherche,1158886.html

so it seems Biarritz is the phase I cloth interior.

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

A quick google revealed this:

http://205gti-deluca...he,1158886.html

so it seems Biarritz is the phase I cloth interior.

 

Thanx 4 that.

 

interesting as I was under the impression that this was the PH1 interior (much sought after by everyone)

 

 

Dave

[feb 47]

If I am not mistaken the one you have attached above is for phase I 1.9's and the one I posted was for phase I 1.6's.

Edited May 23, 2011 by feb

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

If I am not mistaken the one you have attached above is for phase I 1.9's and the one I posted was for phase I 1.6's.

Yup - the leather bolster gives it away doesn't it - sorry.

Dave

Is the 1.6 version named "Biarritz" though - doesn't seem obvious from the pics.

[feb 47]

"Bonjour, je cherche des siéges de 205 GTI phase 1 appelé siége biarritz dans un état propre." translates to:

Goodmorning, I am looking for seats from a 205 Gti phase I, called biarritz seats, in good condition.

The picture is from a phase I cloth (1.6) interior.

 

Also from http://forum.super5.free.fr/lofiversion/index.php?t8722.html a thread on a 205 GTI 105ch

Post from Five59230, mardi 15 mars 2011 à 12:24 says: "bonjour , Des petites news ! Achat d'un interieur Biarritz lunettes.gif "

which translates to: "Goodmorning, update! Buy of a Biarritz interior!" followed by the picture

 

A few other searches in google.fr for "205 biarritz interieur" reveal cloth interiors as above.

 

I think this leaves no doubt that Biarritz is the phase I 1.6 cloth interior

Edited May 23, 2011 by feb

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

"Bonjour, je cherche des siéges de 205 GTI phase 1 appelé siége biarritz dans un état propre." translates to:

Goodmorning, I am looking for seats from a 205 Gti phase I, called biarritz seats, in good condition.

The picture is from a phase I cloth (1.6) interior.

 

Also from http://forum.super5.....php?t8722.html a thread on a 205 GTI 105ch

Post from Five59230, mardi 15 mars 2011 à 12:24 says: "bonjour , Des petites news ! Achat d'un interieur Biarritz lunettes.gif "

which translates to: "Goodmorning, update! Buy of a Biarritz interior!" followed by the picture

 

A few other searches in google.fr for "205 biarritz interieur" reveal cloth interiors as above.

 

I think this leaves no doubt that Biarritz is the phase I 1.6 cloth interior

 

I see your point - graphically illustrated But just because it was what he was asking for i.e. "Biarritz" (initially at least" )didn't mean that that was what he was showing there. That was my point.

People do get confused (Quintet and Quartet is a classic example of this.)

Thaks for your kind researches however. I'm off to Bedworth to pick up bolster covers in about half an hour so I haven't given this thread all the attention I should have.

regards

Dave

[jackherer 543]

http://www.205gtidrivers.com/info/history.html

 

1983 February 205 Range launched at same time as the 205 Turbo 16

Dashboard includes 2 spoke steering wheel, linear heater controls, Biarritz seat trim

 

1986 December 1.9 GTi (130bhp) launched with disc brakes all round, uprated suspension and half leather with Quattro velour panels

 

1988 January Revised trim over all range (New style dash, 3 spoke steering wheel, rotary heater controls, Monaco tweed seat trim)

 

1989 August New BE-3 gearbox with reverse position to bottom right opposite 5th

Quartet seat trim velour in black and red with plain black velour side supports.

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

I most certainly wouldn't call "Quartet" a velour. No matter.

I've been spending time looking at the ASCI produced fabric (as opposed to my cheaper version - B09) and a French customer also got interested. The result being I sent him samples and said "which do you prefer?". It seems my B09 is closer the proper fabric (the dreaded Roby 4030 - also no longer available and falls to bits under prolonged UV exposure). This of course, ressurrects my first thread discussion on the availability of this fabric (in the UK). It's a good replacement , but if I am to utilise it I will need to set up a group buy as I will have to persuade William Marstons (B'Ham) to get a production run done solely for US.

This is , of course, contradicted by Anthony's statement that the free availabilty of good quality seats means that I would seem to be barking up the wrong tree. However, I think he's leading me up the garden path on this one. Seat availabily may be good, but I think the bolster foams (RHS - driver outer pieces) are envitably knackered and if it's a 1.6 or a Rallye the cloth is usually pretty poor as well

Leather bolsters (1.9 version) stand up better , but poor seam reinforcement gives problems and the foam also goes.

My strategy is to let the customer have what he wants, and what he/she wants at the moment seems to be leather bolster covers. Any original insert fabric - Biarritz, Quartet - etc, also presents us with the non availability problem. So I hark back to my other thread relating to Peugeots approach to spares (including trim) and how people like me can get hold of the relevant production info in order to resume limited production for the PUG nuts.

I would have loved to be contacted by Peugeot asking if I wished to buy the seat foam moulds - problem over, and why wouldn't they have done that. Well they don't have any mechanism that lets me tell them what I'm doing for a start.Remember what a flumux I caused when I actually asked to use the "flamme" logo (like an episode of Law and Order (UK) )

It wouldn't cost them much - they were probably going to be scrapped anyway.

I've had to get buy with making my own. But the benfits accruable by Peugeot are enormous - recycling, good PR. I'm not certain at the end of the day, whether that is on their agenda though. The same applies to the seat fabrics - if fabric design info is available and Peugeot suppliers could still produce the fabric then problem solved - This fabric is only used in the 205/309 era of vehicles so what's the problem. I'll be frank - I'm still wary of sewing new bolster covers to old inserts and think that some measure of reconditioning/reinforcing may be required. Possibly not the brightest thing for me to say, given my current activities, but that's what I think.

regards

Dave.

[Anthony 1,003]

This is , of course, contradicted by Anthony's statement that the free availabilty of good quality seats means that I would seem to be barking up the wrong tree. However, I think he's leading me up the garden path on this one. Seat availabily may be good, but I think the bolster foams (RHS - driver outer pieces) are envitably knackered and if it's a 1.6 or a Rallye the cloth is usually pretty poor as well

That's not what I said (or atleast meant).

 

What I said was that at the moment, Phase 2 half-leather seats in useable condition are still easy enough to get hold of for sensible money, and whilst that's still true, the market for people buying buying replacement seat covers is going to be comparitively limited. As less and less of these seats are available because less cars are being broken and turned into a trackday cars, together with age meaning that what seats are sold being in ever worsening condition, people will turn to suppliers such as yourself to obtain what they're after. This is especially true as that's likely to coincide with 205 GTi's being bought more by people looking to restore and cherish them, and less as cheap everyday hacks, and with it change the priorities of cost and quality from the former to the later.

 

At the moment I'd hazard a guess that many of the people with Phase 2 cloth seats are just going down the half-leather route as replacements, but as that supply dries up and more and more people put the cars back to standard, I would expect that interest in the Phase 2 cloth will be strong. I'm sure it must already be the case that for certain seats like 205 Rallyes, replacement seats in good condition are so thin on the ground that if/when you can offer a replacement they'll sell.

 

I agree that lower bolster foams will be knackered on the drivers outer in 99% of cases and more often than not the passenger outer as well. With sporty model 205's in scrapyards becoming very rare and cheap/free scrap seats to cut the bolsters out of getting ever more thin on the ground, I would expect the bolsters that you're selling to be popular, especially when it sounds like they're going to be better than the original items anyway. If it wasn't for the fact that I still had a spare set kicking around, I'd have happily bought a set off you for the seats that I rebolstered recently as from what I've seen in this thread, what you're selling looks good and is priced fairly.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way putting down what you've done and are doing, and I think that it's brilliant that people like yourself are supporting the 205 community. I'm just trying to explain, from my own viewpoint atleast, why interest and takeup has perhaps been a little lower than you're expecting, and not to lose heart in it.

 

Offer a good quality product and price it right - which it sounds like you are - and the customers will surely come

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

That's not what I said (or atleast meant).

 

What I said was that at the moment, Phase 2 half-leather seats in useable condition are still easy enough to get hold of for sensible money, and whilst that's still true, the market for people buying buying replacement seat covers is going to be comparitively limited. As less and less of these seats are available because less cars are being broken and turned into a trackday cars, together with age meaning that what seats are sold being in ever worsening condition, people will turn to suppliers such as yourself to obtain what they're after. This is especially true as that's likely to coincide with 205 GTi's being bought more by people looking to restore and cherish them, and less as cheap everyday hacks, and with it change the priorities of cost and quality from the former to the later.

 

At the moment I'd hazard a guess that many of the people with Phase 2 cloth seats are just going down the half-leather route as replacements, but as that supply dries up and more and more people put the cars back to standard, I would expect that interest in the Phase 2 cloth will be strong. I'm sure it must already be the case that for certain seats like 205 Rallyes, replacement seats in good condition are so thin on the ground that if/when you can offer a replacement they'll sell.

 

I agree that lower bolster foams will be knackered on the drivers outer in 99% of cases and more often than not the passenger outer as well. With sporty model 205's in scrapyards becoming very rare and cheap/free scrap seats to cut the bolsters out of getting ever more thin on the ground, I would expect the bolsters that you're selling to be popular, especially when it sounds like they're going to be better than the original items anyway. If it wasn't for the fact that I still had a spare set kicking around, I'd have happily bought a set off you for the seats that I rebolstered recently as from what I've seen in this thread, what you're selling looks good and is priced fairly.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way putting down what you've done and are doing, and I think that it's brilliant that people like yourself are supporting the 205 community. I'm just trying to explain, from my own viewpoint atleast, why interest and takeup has perhaps been a little lower than you're expecting, and not to lose heart in it.

 

Offer a good quality product and price it right - which it sounds like you are - and the customers will surely come

 

Thats not what you said - do you fly fish by any chance? When did I say I was disappointed - you are being creative on my behalf.

I know my market is potentially a good one. You leave it to me to sort that out thanx.

Once I start to feel I'm really being patronised - I will let you know. ( and you are getiing f***ng close) mr team manager.

regards

Dave

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

sideswiped again.

The current dilemma I have centres around the overall requirement for cloth bolster covers (in the long term) and the availabilty of the relevant materials. I have always thought that my B09 fabric (W Marstons) was superior to the original, My initial premise has shown to be a good one after I sent samples to a French customer to judge for himself. He was of the opinion that my B09 was a better material and definitely closer to the original than the ASCI version.

This, of course, is good as it means I can (in theory) keep my prices down for the cloth bolster cover repair kits. As I said in post #1 of this thread Marstons have now told me they don't stock the material anymore (bloody typical - another fire sale). They won't tell who the Italian supplier is and as an ordinary Joe I don't have any influence on their decision. They are saying It can be ressurrected, provided I buy a minimum of 100 metres (at £20 per linear metre) 1/2 upfront - and the rest after 3 months). Is this forum interested in group buys of this material ? It doesn't seem to be if the drift (as indicated) is towards using second user 1.9 trim. I await enlightenment on this matter.

My original price list was showing so many material variants it gave me a headache as was soon rationalised as I can't hold large inventories of materials. So decisions made now will affect future products.

Given the French seem to more interested in maintaining the original look of their "bombinettes" I will need to start touting on their forum as well. But may well be a little late on that as they have just completed a group buy of 150 metres of the ASCI fabric.

My views on Peugeot are well known, but I repeat that commercial value (to Peugeot) aside, the logistic chain information should be made available.

After all the availability of pattern parts is well established so the info is there to be had. It becomes a matter of whether or not I can make myself visible to Peugeot, or if they ,indeed, can be bothered.

regards

Dave

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi all,

It's fair to say that the last few months have been a bit of a rollercoaster for me. At the end of April I had squab and thigh bolster patterns finalised and pre-production try-outs were underway. All was right in the DCH garden. Or so I thought ! The reality being that I was slowly going bonkers in my efforts to get these covers to fit properly and not to look like a complete B**lls Up. This is where the art of the pro seat trimmer has gradually come into play and I must admit I'm learning all the time.

 

Amanda (my machinist) is very professional, but does require certain pattern and assembly details to be in place (I won't bore you with the details - but suffice to say the essence of the problem is that seat covers, when dis-assembled have a mix of fitting and assembly nicks,notches, trimming etc) and you can't always tell which is which (at least I couldn't). So time has had to be spent getting the the actual assembly right (hem allowances, stitch lenghs, start and end of seams, assembly location marks and datums) - you see how this builds up I hope. Her hubby, Mick - is a pro trimmer and has introduced me to the (black) art of final fit and trim.

My inexperience,whilst remarked upon, has not been a problem as everyone I have worked with has always been happy to help me out.

 

Equally, my well known reputation for attention to detail has slowed things up at times,especially when coupled with a singular lack of expertise in the field of trimming

That hurdle is being surmounted, and the upshot being that I am closer now to getting the cloth bolster repair kits ready for prouction and ready for sale. This has been a major exercise for me and all subsequent products depend on these initial efforts being right. This paves the way for my full seat replacement covers (in leather/Alcantara) although the difference in materials will require some more prototyping work to be done. You only have to compare the fit of the 1.6 cloth bolster covers (very snug) to that of the 1.9 hide covers to see what I mean. The variability of the final fit of the hide bolster covers is a little surprising, and something I intend to rectify in my own versions.

 

Things rarely seem to happen as I have planned them (orderwise at least) but they do happen. I'm getting there , after a technical delay (shall we say) and continue to make progress. I now have a full set of sewn bolsters along with, new vinyl squab backs, and some red/black Quartet inserts and move on to doing my own final "trim out" (technical term - ) this week.

 

Thanks for reading about my travails.

regards

Dave

[denva2682 2 2 Cars]

Hi Dave - I see that everything is coming on very well with your venture now? Excellent. I know you are very busy with your current projects, but...

 

Re: the request from the French CTI owner.

 

If you are ever able to reproduce Biarritz covers, I for one would be absolutely made up - as I am one of many Ph 1 owners who have had to 'make do' with the wrong seats from later cars.

Apparently the original Biarritz seat bolster material found in Ph 1's were already thinning and in some cases, ripping within a year or so of ownership and dealerships received many complaints - one of the reasons why the Ph 1.5 had the thick grey, almost denim-like material. Unfortunately - where Peugeot failed in the bolster department first time round forcing the change - the (and in my opinion) very nice velour fabric of the Biarritz design was forgotten about. With the condition of all but a few Ph 1 Biarritz seats still available in a similar condition to, or worse than those pictured above, I am sure that many Ph 1 owners would be absolutely made up if somebody came along that was able to supply them with a similar centre velour to go with some of your nice black bolster covers...

Edited June 23, 2011 by denva2682

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi Will,

Thanx for your comments. The Biarritz insert fabric is something I have only recently become acquainted with. However, you use the description "velour" - are you sure this is what you mean? as it looks like a dobby weave material to me, but as I have no samples to hand I'm not certain.Velours are cotton or polyester continuous weave materials (e.g. moleskin) and do not carry a design.

As with any of the insert materials for the 1.6 or the 1.9 they are difficult to both find and to replicate. You know from my investigations that "Quartet" is a definite non-runner. I was really pissed off with my Turkish manufacturer for conning me over this. If materials can be reproduced, then as the only guy in the cosmos fretting over this, I suppose I'm the obvious one to research this.

 

Cloth bolster covers are virtually complete now - although I'm waiting for my machinist to complete a batch of thigh bolsters so that I can trim a full seat out.(I think she's on holiday this week).

Ideally I would need to get the material design from Peugeot, or a least a sample to send to a fabric design consultant. I recently discovered that they use a rather complicated computer program to lay in indivdual yarns to make up patterns. I downloaded a trial version to play with - but I hadn't got a clue about the terminology they use in the weaving industry, so I was completely lost.

(Note to self - maybe a course on how to use this software might be useful !).Damn - why didn't I think of that before.

Once you have the design digitised you can get the fabric made up (woven) in theory at least. We then of course have to find a manufacturer prepared to do small batch runs, this is also problematic, but if I am able to get over the first hurdle (design) then I'm bloody certain I could find one (a manufacturer).

I must admit I've been doing some work on my 1.6 lately so I been distracted. Clicky starter syndrome - so I removed the starter, checked and cleaned and did all the terminal and earths - the usual suspects seems OK now - touch wood.

thanx again for your interest.

regards

Dave

Edited June 24, 2011 by dch1950

[dch1950 37 1 Cars]

Hi Will,

Thanx for your comments. The Biarritz insert fabric is something I have only recently become acquainted with. However, you use the description "velour" - are you sure this is what you mean? as it looks like a dobby weave material to me, but as I have no samples to hand I'm not certain.Velours are cotton or polyester continuous weave materials (e.g. moleskin) and do not carry a design.

As with any of the insert materials for the 1.6 or the 1.9 they are difficult to both find and to replicate. You know from my investigations that "Quartet" is a definite non-runner. I was really pissed off with my Turkish manufacturer for conning me over this. If materials can be reproduced, then as the only guy in the cosmos fretting over this, I suppose I'm the obvious one to research this.

 

Cloth bolster covers are virtually complete now - although I'm waiting for my machinist to complete a batch of thigh bolsters so that I can trim a full seat out.(I think she's on holiday this week).

Ideally I would need to get the material design from Peugeot, or a least a sample to send to a fabric design consultant. I recently discovered that they use a rather complicated computer program to lay in indivdual yarns to make up patterns. I downloaded a trial version to play with - but I hadn't got a clue about the terminology they use in the weaving industry, so I was completely lost.

(Note to self - maybe a course on how to use this software might be useful !).Damn - why didn't I think of that before.

Once you have the design digitised you can get the fabric made up (woven) in theory at least. We then of course have to find a manufacturer prepared to do small batch runs, this is also problematic, but if I am able to get over the first hurdle (design) then I'm bloody certain I could find one (a manufacturer).

I must admit I've been doing some work on my 1.6 lately so I been distracted. Clicky starter syndrome - so I removed the starter, checked and cleaned and did all the terminal and earths - the usual suspects seems OK now - touch wood.

thanx again for your interest.

regards

Dave

 

absolutely made up - what does that mean pls?

D

[denva2682 2 2 Cars]

absolutely made up - what does that mean pls?

D

 

It means I'd be very happy! I'd love to have a close match to the original seats that my car should have.

Thanks for your reply - it really does sound like an absolute nightmare getting everything together for the product that you are producing - I for one will be ordering the bolster repair kits. I may just have to try and source old phase 1 front seats with the inserts completely intact and put some effort in myself (I am quite awful with upholstery etc, however!) by using your kits until you are in a position to make it as simple as a phone call or click to order brand new covers

 

With regards to the fabric used for the Biarritz, I have retained my old ones (just in case they can be saved - the rears are in very good condition) and it really looks and feels like velour - you can kind of draw a darker shade of the colours in the fabric if you run your fingers along the fabric one way, and then if you follow the same line in the other direction, the original shade re-emerges, it's very velvety to the touch. I will dig out my original dealer spec sheets/booklets to double check and could perhaps send you one of my covers to confirm fabric type or get it analysed/copied should you ever decide that you might want to entertain the possibility of looking into the phase 1 design in the future. Until then, I am still very interested in your endeavour and will continue to follow your progress. Funnily enough, I have just replaced my starter motor for the very same reason! I replaced the old, large one for a later slimline one - starts a treat now! Best wishes, W.

Edited June 28, 2011 by denva2682