My next project....Red Alcantara seats - One Complete!!!
 

Well, since my PC build is almost ready to go back in the car and I have plans to remove the carpet for cleaning I decided that seats were my next plan. Since I had to remove the front seats to lift the carpet, seemed like the perfect time.

This is where the indecision came in. I wanted racing seats but as pointed out, wouldn't be comfy for longer journeys and as this is my cruising 180, I thought it best to stick with stock.

Now, I have greay alcantara at the moment and they are nice and all, but I am doing a black/red theme with the car (all interior lighting is red now) so what to do?!?!

The only 'standard' seats I would accept really is red alcantara as my red monacos are just too common and may be a step down from plus alcantara.

Getting red alcantara seats is probably harding than finding mk2 bodykits!!!

So I though, stuff it, I'll make 'em myself!

And that is the plan, I am going to take apart my red monacos, remove the material section and the red leather kidneys, and replace them with red alcantara!

Never done this kind of thing before but like everything I will try my best and hopefully get the outcome I want. If not, the grey alcantara will have to stay, but I'm positive this will work!

So here is the material, arrived today. I have rubbed the fabric so you can see the two/tone effect and it is sitting on my freshly washed rear alcantara seat.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...d/d7b0191a.jpg

I still need to aquire a good condition driver seat top half cover but I'm sure one will come up soon.

I also plan to go uber custom with some embroidered logos on the seats. Undecided as to whether to have MG logo, 'ZS', or Smokey and Kat2512 on the front seats :-S

Anyway, am starting on thursday and will keep you updated with the progress!

If it works out, I'll be doing the door cards too!

thats gonna look cool when done but don't you need a sowing machine for that? them thinks are evil i managed to sow my thumb and index finger together last time i used one, good luck with that i'm honestly sure its gonna look ace

I will follow this with interest.

I asked a dress maker (my mum :whistle:) If it could be done on my spare set. She said yes but would not be easy to match the stiching.

crack on :judge:

Sounds like a plan, I'd avoid the embrodary unless you have a professionsl to do it or a progamable sewing machine.

You've quite simply got too much time on your hands ....

I don't have enough time Dan, trust me!

I have someone with more skills than me doing the stitching, what to bear in mind is, all the stitching that is required is reverse stitched so no visible stitching will be seen when done. It would be different if it was the leather to be stitched.

The embroidery would be done by a professional company, not me lol!

That will look mint when it is done, will be following your project. Door cards i will be very interested to know how you do them if you re-cover them aswell.

good luck mate,hope it goes well,nice to see your willing to give it your all to get what you want bud,will be watching,when your done can you do red/white/blue(only kidding )

Aye blair you could start a newco.

ooooooooooo lol

nice plan, something i have been wanting to have a shot at myself doing interior trim, still to do my headlining

Sorry bud couldnt help myself.

Haha, I just like having something I did myself. Watched too many pimp my ride episodes!

I will be doing black headlining and pillars at some point in the future, with a custom touch!

The older you get the less inclined you'll be to do these things, hats off to you for having a crack. I'll follow with interest. Many years ago I made a centre console for my Firenza and used offcuts from Corbeau seats to match them to my buckets I had fitted at the time.

Well it's definitely going to get MG logos embroidered on once I've done the material change. Making a start tonight!

So first section of passenger seat cover removed and my suspicions were correct! It is identical to the drivers side except for one thing. There is a sheet of strong thin plastic type material where the airbag module is!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...d/103c408e.jpg

The stitching underneath is exactly the same (no weaker on one side than the other) So I will be able to buy a passenger side cover to replace my damaged driver side...swap the plastic sheet over...and job done!

Bit of a result as the passenger sides are easier to get in good nick and cheaply!

Good result, get it snaped up as there not exactly common.

My first two stitches...

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...d/dfa05e24.jpg

Done the 2 kidneys so now just need to stitch them all back together.

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...d/6727f2e2.jpg

As much as I admire you for having a go ....

For Gods sake - just buy this - butcher it and get the proper set !!!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-MG-ZS...item20c7134372

No dont buy that car...... I want it

Does anyone now anything about this car as the owner hasnt answered my questions

Its a n xpg mk2 ZS180 with red alcantara interior... what else do you need to know? Lol

Hmm... red alcantara in my black saloon... interesting....

Cheers Dan lol. You forget, I like the challenge. Plus don't have a spare £1k+ to spend.
Also, the bolsters are worn out, unlike mine so would still have to rip em apart!
This way, I get what I want and enjoy another project!

Almost done with the passenger back panel.

Half luxury lol, bottom half is stripped ready for cutting the material!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...d/2108c7d4.jpg

My Mrs just said .... Feckin hell - is he a girl ?

:rofl:

Right Dan leave him alone he was gonna run me up a set of curtains for the living room:laugh:

Feck the lot of you lol!

I'm 1/8th of the way to having a brand new set of custom red alcantara seats lol!

Headrests are gonna be a headache!

So now the slaggings over, what are the thoughts so far?

Aye youll make somebody alovely wife someday.

.....:angry:

They are awsum dude keep up the good work

i like a lot

at least you have the bottle to give it a go

did you have a spare set just in case you could not do it or just thought bollox i will give it a go

I had a spare set of monacos from the track car. Wasn't risking my grey alcantara!

Joking aside mate its looking very good

Cheers. Stitched on the Velcro bits and the strips for the bull rings. Fitted and secured properly and back plate on. Top section of passenger side complete!

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/f...d/038999e1.jpg

Got a busy weekend ahead so may not get much further for a few days but at least I know it's possible!!

Looks very good... fancy doing mine for me? The alcantara is looking a bit tired.... ;)

Look great. Shame you couldn't find some seat heater elements to stick in there while they're all in bits though.

It's not too difficult to take the seats apart so that will be a mod for the winter as I'd need to figure our wiring etc as I don't have the original switch area on the centre console with my carPC taking over!

fair play to you for having a go mate,i think they look really good,look forward to seeing them finished

Good point - I forgot about that.
At least it means you can amass the bits nice and cheaply as you don't desperately need them. Not that you need much anyway - just the 2 switches, 2 relays and 2 elements for each seat.