[Topcat Tomcat]

I’m sure that this has be investigated before and is a bit of a long shot, but does anyone know which Company(s) produced the material for the R8 seats!

[Mr Teddy Bear]

The remaining stock of NOS materials are now held by either a Belgian or Dutch company, trade only I think. The possibly more coveted material grey lightening and the black SEI material are not included.

If you do a search the info is on the forum.

So it's a case of making a secondhand acquisition!

[Topcat Tomcat]

Thanks, I’ll have another go at searching then.

And when you say trade, do you mean like a bodyshop/restoration workshop?

[Topcat Tomcat]

Found it!

This is my material.

And this is the material in stock with the Dutch company.

It looks darker, but appears to be the same pattern.

They also have some other material which I would imagine are from a 200/25?

[Johnny 216GSi]

Thanks, I’ll have another go at searching then.

And when you say trade, do you mean like a bodyshop/restoration workshop?

You have to go to a registered UK re-upholsterer and ask them to make the purchase for you, then buy it off them when they get it in the UK. West Trading will only sell to a registered re-upholsterer and they do know who's who. Maybe there's some kind of guild or register like there is for engine rebuilders?
Tappers in Birmingham will do this for you.

Of course, this may seem a bit strange to most re-upholstery businesses - as the reason they would be purchasing material on your behalf would be to use it to do the reupholstery job you want them to do. I suspect a lot of them aren't used to "supply only" sales.

That material won't be too expensive per metre off the roll - and it'll be a wide roll - maybe 1.4 metres wide.

I'd say buy at least 3 metres off the wide roll if they have that much left in stock, and if that seems excessive ask an upholsterer who has had eyes on the car r seen a photograph to estimate how much you'll need before purchasing. It's not just square meterage that matters - remember there's a distinct pattern so they have to take cuts in the right direction so the pattern shows the same on each seat.

It'll probably be about £100 for 4 metres, plus or minus and I'd personally say 4 metres would stand you in good stead for being able to get all the seat and door card inserts done if you want to do it.

The reason it'll look darker on the photo is a) the photography and b) yours will have had direct sunlight on it for 30 years and it will have faded. Unfortunately, you may have to replace the lot just like a good body colour requires a complete re-spray.

You may be able to get away with doing just the front seats or just the back seats if there's damage in just one area, as you rarely stand in a position to see the front and back seats together and there's different lighting in the front and back of a car anyway.

[Topcat Tomcat]

Thanks as always for your very comprehensive reply, including your original post on the subject. Invaluable!

It certainly gives me another option.

[Plodder]

I saw a programme on TV about 2 years ago where they scanned and recreated a pattern for a Fiat X19, I think it was one of the Mike Brewer’s shows.
Tried finding the company but without success. Wondered if they could produce a small batch run of the grey lightening material if there was enough call.

[Topcat Tomcat]

I guess that would be quite expensive, but certainly worth investigating.

[itcaptainslow]

The bottom three fabrics are from HHR’s and R3’s.

Would you be planning on retrimming the seats yourself or getting it done professionally?

Jon makes a very good point the new fabric will look darker, as it won’t have been aged by UV & wear.

[Topcat Tomcat]

Given my lack of skills in that area, it would have to be done professionally. I’m not sure if I could justify the cost at the moment though. I think I might ask for a sample first from the Upholsterers mentioned in the original thread.

Alternatively, a fellow member may have the seats required,so hopefully the problem may be solved.