Matching colors:
Just about
every email I get starts with............. "I want new
Interior Panels to match my seats which are (insert
color) and still in good condition" ............ Those
seats may be in good shape but I doubt the color is
anywhere near what it was when new. Over time they
fade so ordering (insert color) doesn't mean they will
match which I doubt they will.
This shows
what happens to color over time........brand
new Matador Red on the left and the old ones
on the right. This is why I discourage
people from trying to match their panels to
their old seats. We might find a good match
now but what happens when you finally
replace your seat covers? |
 |
If you're intent on
keeping your seats with the existing covers, you
should try and find a color to compliment them,
probably something a shade or two darker. And Noooo I
will NOT make the color decision for you..... but I
will suggest ordering free samples from the places
below.
Local Auto Upholstery Shops & Fabric Stores:
These guys
know what they're doing and can probably look at what
you want to do and tell you a good color to go with
and where to buy it. So go and visit them and ask.
Jo-Ann
Fabrics is a national chain and carries a varied
collection of auto and marine vinyl that will cut
you small samples. If you find a vinyl you like at
Jo-Ann's, send me the color name and SKU and I can
check my local Jo-Ann's and save you the shipping
cost.
Online Vinyl Suppliers:
If you
spend some time searching for Automotive or
Marine Vinyl, you'll find lots of stores
with a wide variety of vinyl, colors and
pricing..........and most will send you free
samples. And there's always eBay.
Here's a couple of
places I've used in the past:
http://www.albrightssupply.com
http://www.perfectfit.com/
http://www.yourautotrim.com/
http://www.allvinylfabrics.com/
http://www.marinevinylfabric.com/
http://www.veteranco.com/productindex.html
Miata Seat Covers & Matching Interior:
Since
purchasing my Miata seat covers in 2009, I've formed a
working relationship with Mr Mike who will produce a
Miata seat cover in your choice of materials, colors,
trim, logos etc for a very competitive price. An
advantage for me is that
anyone wanting one of my custom Interior Panel Kits
can get matching vinyl from Mr. Mike so that the seats
and interior will be a perfect color match.
Leather.....Why a $100 Premium:
I'm
always asked about the cost to do an interior in
leather and I don't have a stock answer due to the
following factors:
-
Start
by
reading through this Leather Buying Guide
-
Hides
are NOT like what you see in a Lexus, BMW,
Mercedes etc..... those hides have a consistent
grain, with no marks or blemishes. The hides
available to the rest of us are full or grain
variations, marks, cuts etc. While I lay
out the pieces to avoid the major marks and cuts, I
can't avoid the blemishes and grain variations
so within a single panel you can have huge grain
and little grain.

-
vinyl
is sold by the yard and is typically 53" wide
and priced per yard - 4 yards for an interior
and 3 yards for a boot cover. Vinyl cost is
$10-$30 per yard with most in the $15 range
-
Leather is sold by the hide and is measured
in square feet with about
18 sq ft = 1 useable yard. As you
can see from the picture below a hide looks like
a cow with the neck hole at the top and the four
legs.

-
To be
safe I suggest buying two hides of 40 to 44 sq
ft each for an interior, one hide for a boot
cover and three hides for both. Hides can cost
$100 - $250 each.
-
Hides
are dyed and need to be bought at the same time
to insure that the dye lots match.
-
Hides
are always shipped folded and come out of the
box full of wrinkles and creases requiring a lot
of steaming and ironing on my part to make the
hide presentable. Below is a door and trunk
panel before steaming & ironing.
-
Pricing:
As of
September 1, 2022 my pricing has increased but it's
still very reasonable compared to other options.
I haven't raised
my prices in two years and it's reached the point
where I'm forced to increase them so I can continue
in my little "hobby"..... Since my last increase in
Sept 2020, the hardboard used for the panels has
more than doubled in price. The CNC work for cutting
the panels has increased 45% and even the custom
boxes used for shipping the kits has gone up to $10
per box! Even with my increase, I'm still hundreds
less than the usual suppliers
Interior
panel kits have three options and prices:
More
people are requesting pleated panels on all of the
pieces which requires significantly more sewing &
time so the cost is $360 PLUS the cost for four (4) yards
of the vinyl and includes: two door panels, two wheel
arch panels, one trunk panel, two wheel hump covers
with foam, two "B" pillar covers, two "B" pillar
bottom triangles, Two door caps with foam and two
kidney pads. This style is similar but not exactly the
same as what was installed on the TR250 and the '69
TR6. PLEASE do not buy any vinyl before talking to
me. I want to make sure it's acceptable for panel
use.
The
design used from 1970 on was a "trapezoid-like"
design on the door panels which is much easier and
less time consuming to do so the cost is $330 PLUS the cost for four (4) yards
of the vinyl and includes: two door panels, two wheel
arch panels, one trunk panel, two wheel hump covers
with foam, two "B" pillar covers, two "B" pillar
bottom triangles, Two door caps with foam and two
kidney pads. PLEASE do not buy any vinyl before
talking to me. I want to make sure it's acceptable
for panel use.
I've had
a few requests for doors without pockets and have
settled on this pleated design which fills out the
door panel nicely. The cost is $350 PLUS the cost
for four (4) yards of the vinyl and includes: two
door panels, two wheel arch panels, one trunk panel,
two wheel hump covers with foam, two "B" pillar
covers, two "B" pillar bottom triangles, Two door
caps with foam and two kidney pads.
I also
have the door panel below in the trapezoid design
with a stitched outline of the pocket. A complete
kit with this door design is $310 plus the cost of
four (4) yards of vinyl.
PLEASE do
not buy any vinyl before talking to me. I want to
make sure it's acceptable for panel use.
Pleated without
Pockets @ $350 Plus Vinyl |
 |
Trapezoid door
with a stitched outline of the pocket @ $310
Plus Vinyl |
 |
Trunk Panel with
Vertical Pleats is a $80 premium |
.jpg) |
Boot Cover
In early
2014 I changed the style of the boot cover to the
design shown below. This cover fits better around
the seatbelts so that there's less interference and
it doesn't require any of the straps with snaps. The
cover design is such that the side and flap snaps
attach directly to the material and attach to the
car. This cover comes in both a padded and unpadded
version with the padded version shown below. The
padded version just has more "substance" to it's
look.
The
padded version is $180 plus the cost for 3 yards of
vinyl which you can supply as long as it's an
Auto/Marine quality vinyl.
I
don't do the snaps around the back edge as there's too
much variance in the placement. That's why no one
provides tops or boot covers with those snaps. PLEASE
do not buy any vinyl before talking to me. I want to
make sure it's acceptable for panel use.
Deposit:
No deposit
is required for basic black as I can always sell those
on eBay if you change your mind. If you order and pay
for the vinyl and have it shipped directly to me there
is no deposit required. If you're having me order a
special color vinyl for you the minimum deposit is
$100 or the actual cost of the vinyl if it exceeds
$100.
Ordering Time:
This is
completely dependent on the other work I have to do
and I don't schedule until I have the vinyl or
deposit in hand. DO NOT send me any material
without first checking with me that the
material is appropriate for interior use and to
understand my schedule.
Payment:
I prefer to
use PayPal as it protects both the buyer and the
seller though I have taken bank checks when asked.
Installation
Instruction:
Installing the Interior Kit is a fairly
straightforward job most people can accomplish in a
weekend. The hardest part is installing the pieces
(wheel hump covers, B Pillar and door caps ) that
get glued in place with contact cement. Contact
cement is very unforgiving and once the pieces are
glued down they don't move. If you have any
concerns, a good upholstery shop could probably do
these few pieces in an hour.
You need
to download and follow these instructions:
Totally Unsolicited Customer
Comments:
These were
either pulled from eBay Feedback or from emails sent
upon delivery.
I got the panel kit
today. I'm stunned. You don't charge enough for
the kits considering the workmanship. The quality
is excellent, and the detail is amazing. I will
recommend you to anyone I meet or deal with that
owns a Triumph TR6. ........... Your kits blows away
the kits from Moss or Vicky British. It's not even
a contest.
Bob, just got the panels.
Got to tell you, I am BLOWN AWAY at how good they
look
Soooo much better than the originals. The quality of your workmanship is
very impressive·
Item was as described and well crafted
·
The TR6 panels
exceeded my expectations...look great. Happy camper!
·
panel are new,
looking good
·
Just a note to let you know I received the panels and
am extremely happy with them. Can't wait for spring to
get them installed.
·
The stuff came
today, and it is beautiful
·
really nice, thanks
·
WOW!! QUALITY!
QUALITY
·
Excellent interior
panels!
·
Excellent product
looks perfect!!!
·
Thanks so much, I
received them and they are top rate, excellent work on
your part
·
The panels look
great. Thank you again.
·
I had a look at the panels and they look great!! This
is an amazing work that you are doing! I can’t wait to
put them in!
·
I received the
panels yesterday and they look great. Can’t wait to
get them installed
·
Received the shipment last week and it looks great!!!
·
Panels arrived today, you do nice work
·
Received the boot,
nice work! Now just need time to fit the snaps.
·
Just wanted to let
you know that yesterday I received the interior
panels. They look beautiful, THANK YOU!
·
We got the panels
and they look great, thanks for doing those for us.
·
The stuff came
today, and it is beautiful. I have it stacked upright
right now, and will follow your instructions above to
store it properly
Just wanted to let you know
that my new interior is almost finished and it looks
gorgeous.
Thank you! You were right about the piping, it looks
just fine without them.
Bob, thank you again for
this beautiful interior set and your contributions to
the TR6 community!
We received the interior
panels today and they look fantastic. The
workmanship is very professional and the panels have
by far exceeded my
expectations.
I have received the panel set and you do awesome work.
The craftsmanship is
amazing. You did a fabulous job with what I have
looked at so far. And the Honey tan is going to go
with the Mallard Blue really well. I can't wait to
get started on the install. Thanks again Bob. It was
an honest pleasure to work with you on this project.