Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Leather re-trimming

Hi Guys,

One of the longer term projects on my 4 seater ( '75 ) is to gradually replace all the leather. So far I have done the front seats and a couple of the side panels.

Having just installed the rear telescopic suspension kit and modified leaf springs and while the vehicle is pretty well stripped down inside, I thought I would take the opportunity to replace the leather along the sills under the doors. The original has become extremely stiff and is cracking badly which I guess is a function of the tendcency to get damp there.

I was thinking of doing it in automotive carpet rather than leather, providing I can match the existing.

Three questions:

I have a feeling I've seen some Mogs with carpet in this area....can anyone confirm?

Is that acceptable for a trad of this vintage?

Would it fair better than the leather?

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Neil.

Oh........BTW.....thought you northern hemisphere people might like to know it's cold and wet here ...... I'm temporarily grounded!

Neil,

Dont tell them its wet and miserable, they will all want to come over.
Anyway your in Victoria you have three more weather changes for the day yet
I would like to fix the dash area near the windscreen, it looks like it is just painted hard foam, but it is starting to scratch off near the windscreen.The middle clip for the tonneau is also in this, and is a bit wobbly. Have you done anything in this area?

My floor sills are still leather, I think carpet may get a bit hard to keep clean in this area, and I hate the smell of wet carpet.

Graeme,

When I replaced the dashboard I had a long look at the leather there as mine is starting to show many small cracks. Like you, I realized that the centre tonneau clip would need removing to do this and that in turn means the windscreen has to come off!.......so I'm afraid I put it in the "too hard basket"! Will have to do it eventually though.

Thanks for your input.

Cheers,
Neil.............it better hurry up if we're gunna get the other three changes in the weather!

My floor sills are leather but I am sure I have seen carpetted versions.

Sound like home when do you want the plastic ducks sending over .

Black phey ltd. in the u.k. do fibreglass or polypropylene sill covers which does away with the horse hair etc.that lies underneath rotting leather and wood. Self finished in 'leather look' or can be covered. I'm sure they have a website, pm me if you're struggling!

Thanks, will check that out. Seems like a good idea. I also seem to remember someone using a cut down PVC square section water spouting. Not sure whether it was on TM.



Neil.

Mine are lined with foam....probably happened at the time it was re-trimmed.

They are good but remember there is no give in a solid surface as in the horse hair so if the leather is rubbed against it will scuff easy .

Good point, JTL.

How about a layer of closed- cell foam to cushion it? Am I right in thinking that should not absorb any moisture?


Neil.