Hi- Just wondered if anyone has any experience of specifically-tailored seat covers for the excel (non SE). My front seats are terrible and I will probably need a new interior- or at least a significant re-cover/rebuild, but rather than do this straight away I wondered if there are any halfway decent covers available that would look presentable while I turn my attention to more pressing matters- like getting the darn thing to run! Can anyone recommend a supplier/manufacturer?
Thanks
Mike
Tailored seat covers
Moderator: Board Moderators
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 07:15
- Model: Excel
- Colour: Grey
- Year: 1983
- Location: Guildford Surrey
Tailored seat covers
When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, no matter how impropable, must be hit with a hammer
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 07:15
- Model: Excel
- Colour: Grey
- Year: 1983
- Location: Guildford Surrey
Re: Tailored seat covers
Anyone got any updates on this? I have now sewn patches over the damage in my seats and fixed the damaged foams. They are now clean and not entirely horrible to sit on but a smart cover would be a good stopgap between this repair and a re-upholstering.
Cheers
Mike
Cheers
Mike
When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, no matter how impropable, must be hit with a hammer
- rbgosling
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 1719
- Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 22:55
- Model: Lotus Excel SE
- Colour: Midnight Blue
- Year: 1990
- Location: Rugby
Re: Tailored seat covers
I'd be pretty surprised if anyone was making seat covers specifically for the Excel - the market isn't really big enough, particularly since there's more than one seat style to cover. If anyone was, the most likely place to find them would be the usual suspects, i.e. Lotusbits, SJ Sportscars or Paul Matty, it's worth a look, but I don't recall noticing them for sale at any of those places.
If it's just a stopgap measure, there are probably plenty of generic seat covers that would do an adequate job, but will not fit perfectly.
Lotusbits have a shipping container full of old seats, most pretty shabby-looking, but it was helpful when I needed to replace the broken frame on my driver's seat - I put together their frame, my cover, the better of the foams and supports etc. Not that that really helps you, I suppose...
If it's just a stopgap measure, there are probably plenty of generic seat covers that would do an adequate job, but will not fit perfectly.
Lotusbits have a shipping container full of old seats, most pretty shabby-looking, but it was helpful when I needed to replace the broken frame on my driver's seat - I put together their frame, my cover, the better of the foams and supports etc. Not that that really helps you, I suppose...
"Farmer" Richard
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
1990 Lotus Excel SE (Lilith)
2022 MG MG5 EV (not due to be a classic for quite a few years...)
2011 Nissan Leaf (Ragly - EV pioneer, must be due to be a classic one day)
-
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 07:15
- Model: Excel
- Colour: Grey
- Year: 1983
- Location: Guildford Surrey
Re: Tailored seat covers
Thanks. I think thats what I figured. I was hoping someone knew of a tailored cover for a higher volume car that might fit.
Cheers anyway
Mike
Cheers anyway
Mike
When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, no matter how impropable, must be hit with a hammer
-
- Junior Poster
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Sat Aug 02, 2014 14:03
- Model: Lotus Excel SE
- Colour: Essex Blue
- Year: 1986
- Location: Bathurst, Australia
Re: Tailored seat covers
Unfortunately the Excel seats are unique.
I like seat covers, they give protection the original seat material.
I was driving about and found a small shop that sold sheep skin, outside Orange (Australia).
They took the measurements and 3 week later I had the deepest pile car seat covers I have ever seen.
They even matched the original leather colour.
They included a slot in the back to access the rear seat pocket.
They are great in winter, but are too hot for summer.
I am still working to find a summer seat cover set.
The cost was about $300
Regards John
I like seat covers, they give protection the original seat material.
I was driving about and found a small shop that sold sheep skin, outside Orange (Australia).
They took the measurements and 3 week later I had the deepest pile car seat covers I have ever seen.
They even matched the original leather colour.
They included a slot in the back to access the rear seat pocket.
They are great in winter, but are too hot for summer.
I am still working to find a summer seat cover set.
The cost was about $300
Regards John
- Hawaiis0
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4146
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
- Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
- Colour: BRG; Dirty White
- Year: 1986
- Location: West Oxfordshire
Re: Tailored seat covers
You can go with replacement seats. There are many options. One is XJS recaros
Cost me £100 less the £1:20 found down the back.
Jag Tunnel Clearance
Seats in
Cost me £100 less the £1:20 found down the back.
Jag Tunnel Clearance
Seats in
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 13:21
- Model: Excel SE
- Colour: Mediterranean Blue
- Year: 1987
- Location: Orpington, KENT
Re: Tailored seat covers
Hi there,
Those XJS seats look really nice and I would imagine way more comfortable than those original.
My Excel has MX5 seats that just look so wrong - they 'fill up' too much of the internal space.
I know its a while back but where did you source your seats?
Did you replace both front and back or just those in the front.
Your guidance greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
VB
Those XJS seats look really nice and I would imagine way more comfortable than those original.
My Excel has MX5 seats that just look so wrong - they 'fill up' too much of the internal space.
I know its a while back but where did you source your seats?
Did you replace both front and back or just those in the front.
Your guidance greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
VB
- Hawaiis0
- Senior Poster
- Posts: 4146
- Joined: Sun Jun 30, 2013 18:39
- Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
- Colour: BRG; Dirty White
- Year: 1986
- Location: West Oxfordshire
Re: Tailored seat covers
Fleabay was the source, just bide your time to find a set. Fronts only.
Mine were from a late convertible and a bit nicer than early ones. The piping is shot on the drivers of course
They are prepped with heaters and electro pneumatic lumber pump, but not wired up.
Mine were from a late convertible and a bit nicer than early ones. The piping is shot on the drivers of course
They are prepped with heaters and electro pneumatic lumber pump, but not wired up.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!
-
- Verified Poster
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Thu Nov 19, 2020 13:21
- Model: Excel SE
- Colour: Mediterranean Blue
- Year: 1987
- Location: Orpington, KENT
Re: Tailored seat covers
Will do.
Thanks for your response.
VB
Thanks for your response.
VB