Interior trim queries

[vikla]

I am looking to sort out some interior trim jobs and have a couple of queries:

1. Dashtop panel - mine has a few cracks in the vinyl. How easy is it to replace? One supplier of trim parts on its website says you can only do it if the windscreen is removed first. Is this true?

2. Centre console and radio console - on my S1 FHC 4.2 the original centre parts of each are trimmed in leather. However all the trim suppliers only seem to offer vinyl as far as I can see (e.g. they all say the only leather parts on the console kit are the armrest and gear lever gaiter). Any views on this?

Thanks

Steve

[Heuer]

Mine was re-trimmed by Eric Suffolk and the top of the centre console and front of the radio console are trimmed in leather.

[ChrisC]

The dashtop is bolted from underneath so logically it can be removed without taking out the windscreen.

I certainly hope this is the case because i have fitted the windscreen but havnt done the dash top yet :)

[christopher storey]

Every individual car tends to differ in the ease with which the top can be removed or replaced, but I have never known it to be necessary to remove the screen! What sometimes is necessary is to apply a bit of judicious bending moment on the dash top to get it in place. It is best to point it "nose down", get the steering side over the wheel and try to get the steering side's stud near or better still through the bracket, and then push on the opposite side whilst slightly bending the centre portion upwards and forwards to spring the non-steering side into place . I find that it is usually the pillar foams which are more obstructive than the screen area

[vikla]

Glad to hear that you can replace it OK. The reference to the windscreen is on Lakewell's website
http://www.lakewell.com/en/products/jag ... 1-s2-61-71

I take it you have to disconnect the demister ducting under the dash and then unbolt the top. You then have to transfer the air outlets from the old top to the new one.

Re. the leather on the console, I'll have to check with the suppliers I guess.

[caveman]

2. Centre console and radio console - on my S1 FHC 4.2 the original centre parts of each are trimmed in leather. However all the trim suppliers only seem to offer vinyl as far as I can see (e.g. they all say the only leather parts on the console kit are the armrest and gear lever gaiter). Any views on this?

I've recently re-trimmed my 1965 4.2 FHC console and seats so will be able to assist you here. Firstly I'm no trimmer but have previous experience in the motor trade so removing and re-fitting was no problem and now that I've completed it, I believe its a job that any confident DIY enthusiast can do.
I purchased a full centre console kit from Aldrige Trimming, and I can't recommend them enough. The kit included:

Armrest Top (leather)
Armrest Box (vinyl)
Console Side Trims X2 (vinyl)
Armrest Box Inner Base Trim (vinyl)
Armrest Top Trim (vinyl)
Console Top (leather)
Console Top Edge Bead Trim (vinyl)
Gearbox Cover/Surround (vinyl)
Gear Stick Gaiter (leather and S2 I believe?) - not used as mine is original rubber

I also purchased a metre of foam (3mm) for the sides and top of the console and thicker foam for the Armrest Top, again from Aldridge (they organised it all), and 3 cans of spray adhesive from a well known online auction site.

I should point out that I used an electric staple gun with 14mm deep staples which were the closest to the original. (required for Armrest Top, Armrest Top Card and Armrest Box Inner Lower Card

Once the radio console is removed, the Armrest Box is screwed to the console top with 4 X screws accessed from inside the box itself (remove inner base card). The centre console is removed by removing the seatbelt lower mounting bolts (behind seat bases) and giving it a sharp pull up (from rear). I pulled my handbrake lever right up to assist removal.

Unscrew Armrest Top from Box and peel off the original vinyl trim from the Armrest Box, apply adhesive and place new vinyl trim over box, cut excess as required.

Armrest Top (leather), remove lower card that has vinyl covering. Mine was held in place with two screws to the front underside. Remove staples and top comes away with foam. Refit in reverse with plenty of cushioning foam.

The Console Top Trim (leather) is removed by peeling back metal tabs from underneath (on mine) and remove complete trim on its metal plate. Peel back existing trim and remove along with foam, replace foam and use old trim as pattern glued over top, as required.

With console out, you can easily see where the foam is glued on the sides, just copy whats been removed.

Now the tricky bits!

1) The Gearbox Cover/Surround (vinyl). This trim will need to be stretched over the metal trim, bare with it, I had to remove it on a number of occassions to get it right, but rest assured it will stretch. I placed mine on whilst the glue was still tacky rather than waiting till almost dry, this allowed me the flex to remove it as mentioned earlier.

2) Bead Trim. This will need patience as vinyl to vinyl adhesion was tricky with the 1cm wide (approx) bead trim. It clamps between the top trim (plate) and the console edge (lip). I glued it on a couple of occasions and resorted to taping it in place with insulation tape and then leaving over night to cure. It was tricky but a few gentle taps as the top trim metal tabs are bent back into place and it finally came good.

I replaced the handbrake lever rubber also whilst the console was out, this glues in from underneath. I used a piece of rubber from a thin rubber mat I had lying around.

The transformation was amazing!

I have some photos of the console and trim whilst out, PM me with email address if anyone wants them.

It's a bit long winded but I hope this helps towards your decision.

[vikla]

Steve

Thanks for your excellent write up.

I would love to see the photos. My email is steve.mccarthy@virgin.net

Did you also do the radio console? I see that Aldridge sell this separately unlike most suppliers who bundle it in with the console kit.

Cheers

[caveman]

Hi Steve,

No I didn't do radio console as it was good condition. Having fitted my classic radio and speakers I did have a good look at it and it seems straight forward. Spray adhesive again and patience.

I'll email photos later on today, don't hesitate to get in touch if you need any help/advice.

Regards

[caveman]

Photos emailed to you.

[vikla]

Just a follow up on this thread.

I got to the point when I was going to order all the trim to to do it myself when I spotted an ad on eBay to re-trim and refurbish a pair of E-type seats for ?650. I followed up and ended having my seats re-built with new interiors and leather, having the complete centre console done and also the dashtop panel, the folding boot board and the small fixed boot board.

All in all the cost was similar for what the trim items would have been on their own from the main trim suppliers.
Overall I am very pleased with the results - see pictures below.
I had another post querying the gear lever gaiter I had previously which turned out to have been a 'special' done a long time ago. Now I have the standard (for my car) rubber gaiter, hidden with a new leather gaiter and chrome trim, all in a leather covered 'turret'.


The guy who did it all is Lee Drake in Sittingbourne, Kent, who works for himself. Email: lenso4@aol.com
Incidentally Lee does work work for a very well known E-Type specialist in Kent...




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