Tailored seat covers

Body parts, seats, dash, headlining, windows and stuff!

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majcd213
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Model: Excel
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Year: 1983
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Tailored seat covers

Post by majcd213 »

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
When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, no matter how impropable, must be hit with a hammer

majcd213
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by majcd213 »

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
When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, no matter how impropable, must be hit with a hammer

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rbgosling
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Model: Lotus Excel SE
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by rbgosling »

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...
"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)

majcd213
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by majcd213 »

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
When you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, no matter how impropable, must be hit with a hammer

explore_australia
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Model: Lotus Excel SE
Colour: Essex Blue
Year: 1986
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by explore_australia »

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

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Hawaiis0
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Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by Hawaiis0 »

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.

Image

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Jag Tunnel Clearance

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Seats in

Image
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

Valley Boy
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Model: Excel SE
Colour: Mediterranean Blue
Year: 1987
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by Valley Boy »

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

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Hawaiis0
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Model: Excel SA (No 3); Elite 504
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by Hawaiis0 »

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.
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

Valley Boy
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Re: Tailored seat covers

Post by Valley Boy »

Will do.
Thanks for your response.
VB

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