Upholstery Kit Resources - 356 T5

[Ken Tuvman]

I want to get the front seats re-upholstered and found a shop here in MN that I'm comfortable working with. Existing seats were re-covered - planning to take seats to upholsterer and let him tell me if I need to buy new interior hardware for seat backs and bottoms.

Here's (3) possible resources for upholstery and bottom and back innards kits:

1) World Upholstery & Trim
2) Mr. Fiat
3) GAHH

Wondering if anyone here has used one and what your recommendations are.

Thank You,

Ken

[Emil Wojcik]

I used Autos International after many recommendations from Registry members and am very happy. They are a longtime registry vendor. Here's their site: http://www.porschetopsandinteriors.net/

[Jim Liberty]

Autos International or K&H, both here in So. Cal. ………………...Jim.

[Spencer Harris]

Wondering if anyone here has used one and what your recommendations are. Ken

Tony Garcia
AUTOBAHN INTERIORS
San Diego

https://www.autobahninteriors.com/

[Norm Miller]

I've used Auto' International many times and you can't find a better cover, originality, and quality is perfect.
Leather or vinyl.

[Jules Dielen]

I would not use Autobahn again. QC is down the drain.

[George Hussey]

I just ordered a new red vinyl interior from autos international for my roadster, impeccable work, they are also going to restore the used seat set I got from David Hugh, Thank you!

[Ken Tuvman]

Thank You!

[Bill Lawless]

Sense your talking Upholstery, I have a question !!!!

The pleat in the seat.. What is the preferred way?

I believe the correct way is just a crease from being tied down in that area, Which even though correct doesn't look finished properly, a bit wrinkly..
Then, some of the good Upholstery shops mentioned above put a very pronounced molded 1/4+ pleat, looks better but not correct(or is it)
Then no pleat at all, I also think looks ok but not correct.. I also see no pleat on car selling for $165k+..

Bill

[Emil Wojcik]

.


Two images of seat crease from Porsche literature of the day...

Seat_Belt.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 1846 times

seat.JPG (93.25 KiB) Viewed 1846 times

New upholstery with manufactured crease as supplied by Autos International...

356seats.jpg (3.21 MiB) Viewed 1846 times

As you can see, the Autos International (as well as others, I believe) that have the crease manufactured in place are more defined than the way the factory originally did them. I've seen quite a few where they try to get it right but the crease is far too 'soft' looking but you can fine some cars that get it exactly as original, I just couldn't find any images.

The Autos International covers make the job very easy for someone who plans on doing the job themselves, as I did (the photo of the Autos Int seats are of my car), but they are not really right for a concours car.

[Paul Hatfield]

Emil-
Great explanation of the photos!

[George Hussey]

the lack of pleat instantly tells of a poor recovering job.

[Bill Lawless]

Thanks Guys, That Autos Int pleat looks like they pressed a hot rod into it?? Looks pretty good though..

I have 3 cars.. None have pleats, maybe I have my fav redone..
But I'm seeing to nicely restored.. quite expensive cars for sale on ebay right now that do not have a pleat.. Guess they didn't get the memo!!

[Emil Wojcik]

Bill, my seats as shown in the photo are with the crease tied down from underneath as the originals would have been but I really should have tied them tighter to pull the crease down more. I think if I did, it would have looked a lot more like the first factory literature photo I posted above, although they still would have been too perfect. Not worth redoing to me since it's not a show car.

If I remember correctly, the Autos Int crease is created by not having the thin core of foam in the crease area. The rest of the covers have a thin layer of foam to give the covers shape.