Lotus Europa Community

You can get new upholstery covers from Lotus Supplies in the UK.  I bought them about a year ago...  took a couple of months to get them, as they have several options and they're not in stock.  They have to be made.  153 GBP each.  They look well fabricated, but I haven't installed them yet.

Hi Berni, I'm not sure if my seats have had work or not. I found another K reg Twin Cam that an auctioneer was selling as having original seats (pinch of salt and all that) which also has a 2 piece rear cushion, with the same pattern, when I was looking for seat covers. Factory variant? Same aftermarket repairer? Could be either, tbf. 

There's a local upholsterer to me who does motorbike seats etc - if I can't find suitable covers I think I'll get some of the basketweave vinyl and see if he fancies a go.

Cheers,

Jeff

https://hofmanns.co.uk/sold-car/lotus-europa-twin-cam/

Hi

That seat looks really rather good. I wonder if it has had some work done to it in the past? I'm no expert, but the backrest section is one piece, and it looks like the top section may have had work. I wish mine were in such good condition. I am looking for someone in the South East to do mine so if anyone knows someone reasonable please chip in. I know people sometimes go to sofa makers for this type of work, but I'm not sure that would be a great idea.

All the best

Berni

Stripping out of the interior continues, but it was too hot to work in the garage today, so spent some time cleaning up the passenger seat to see how it would come up. Still needs another clean or two, and the foam and backing boards on the seat bases and possibly the back need replacing, but I think the cover is savable.

The problem I have is that the driver's seat has some damage to the bolster, and the seat back cushion. And although Martrim in the UK seem to sell the basketweave vinyl, it doesn't have the "ribs" which seem to be melted in, which gives me a dilemma. Do I try and replicate the ribs using heat application, or does anyone know if the right material is available elsewhere? Or do I recover both seats, which would be a shame - I'm assuming that the vinyl is original? I really want to get the seats "right" if I can, they're as 70's as an orange Spangle!

The abrasive in that pic looks like drywall sanding screen.

I used that as well.  It won't deteriorate and it has "gription"