Hi,
My dad has purchased a 1966 deluxe and one of the first things he wishes to repair are the 2 front seats. The drivers seat has tears in the base and back and the passenger has a tear in the base.
This is the current interior to give an idea of vinyl and colour
Is this original vinyl still available to retrim the seats or is the only option to go the TMi (or other brands people recommend?) vinyl covers? Do these covers look very good/ Are they are a good fit? Where is the best place to purchase and what US year correlates with Dads 66 model do you think?
Cheers in advance
dont know why your pic didnt work
Where abouts are you
Vintage Vee Dub Supplies at Campsie NSW are very helpful with TMI kits
They are great kits
Futue te ipsum!!!
Sorry mate, I edited my profile I'm in Adelaide, although I dont expect the kits/vinyl to be local and we are happy tpo have it delivered in. Dad goes to Melbourne often as well.
Do you know what colour this interior is? beetles dont have this info on the compliance plate or elsewhere on the body do they (sorry if the questions seem stupid I'm new to the VW world)
Cheers for the reply.
You do not say were you are, find a good motor trimmer to repair the seats, they probably require more than just the covers, springs could be broken, replace the horse hair padding. plenty of articals on the net that shows you how completly rebuild the seat. go to thesamba.com, there is a list of all paint and upholstory colours. you can get anything you require from the States cheaper than in Australia.
TMI covers or replacement trims are the best quality
had mine on my old type 3 for over 12 years with 2 young kids on them all the time stood up to the test
For Aussie 1965, 1966 and 1967 Beetles you have to order for US 1964 or earlier. The US/German Beetles used a different body shell after 1965.
Thanks for the replies guys.
Looking at the TMI site it seems Red Oxen is closest. Are the covers easy to fit?
Has anyone had the seats retrimmed without the covers if so where does one get the original style vinyl?
The best thing to do is see a professional motor trimmer for advice, he can let you know what material is available.
As i said in my previous post there could be more required that just putting on new covers. the frames could need rebuilding.
You dont need to see a motor trimmer at all, im sure you and your dad know just by sitting in them the condition of the seats and you dont need a motor trimmer trying to convince you into get them to personally retrim the seats etc...
The TMI covers are great and easy to fit. The bonus is they are good repro. Your seats appear to be in relatively good Nic as there appears to be little to no sagging. Foam can be used but the coco fibre matting seat inserts are a great idea to get when ordering your kit if you feel your seats need a little more "lift" and padding.
Just remember anything you order is never going to truely match your original interior due to times wear, tear and sun damage. It will always look newer so may pay to do the whole interior which isn't too painful and keep the original tucked away?
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
If you are not sure of what you are doing see a professional. it never hurts to get a opinion.
Please don't assume people don't know ANYTHING vwo60, im sure a motor trimmer is an obvious source of advice but so is this forum. This is a question about a product and the experiences of people who have used it.
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
I am not assumming anything just pointing out if you have not done it before it might have more issues than just the covers and might require professional repairs. a lot of people who have not done anything like it before might need help. if you read the original question miggy5290 asks if the original vinyl is still available to retrim the seats and then goes on to ask if the only option available is the TMI cover's, by your reply the TMI covers are the only option and dismiss all other opinions.
TMI sells some very good quality stuff, great prices on Genuine TMI from Vintage.
But if you know a local trimmer they might be able to knock up a good set of covers and fit them for you, as always depends on price.
As mentioned the seats might need more than just the covers, you dont have to use the original style matting, thats all they had 50 years ago, nowadays they use foam and most trimmers will be able to let you know what you will need
heard these guys do top quality work too
http://busnbug.com/Brad and Dave at Bus n Bug as exceptional, just depends on your budget 😉
1963 Single Cab Ute: "El Concreto"
1962 Baja Beetle: "Peanut"
1968 Porsche 912 SWB: "Pip"
1972 Kombi Snail: "The Snail"
2012 Skoda Octavia Scout: "Scout"
2016 Scirocco R: "Rocco"
Miggy5290 wrote:Thanks for the replies guys.
Looking at the TMI site it seems Red Oxen is closest. Are the covers easy to fit?
Has anyone had the seats retrimmed without the covers if so where does one get the original style vinyl?
Having seats retrimmed can be very costly..
also, many old seats need repairing before the trim is done
unless only small people have been in the car... lol
and its all time $$$ consuming work..
getting the original type material can be virtually impossible that is why most people get all the seats done....
and as ASH said the new vinyl will NOT match the 30 year old seats and trim...
LEE
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
this is my Tmi interior in my 66 bug.
"If it ain't rubbing,It ain't dubbing!!!!"
1966 Beetle
1969 Low Light Kombi
I bought a set of red tmi covers they look sweet and for a fraction of the cost of re trimming them.
my first attempt at re trimming.
