1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

ipman
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by ipman » Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:45 pm

As a comparator, I put on new leather seat cover in my SUV, 1st and 2nd row, 5 headrests, center console and arm rests for 2k. The kit was a mid/high grade at 1100 and just under 900 install, which was 16-18 hours of labor. I have done seats before and was more than happy to pay someone to do it.

Is that 2 seats only? No doors, center console or anything? And vinyl? That is high IMO, but as long as you are OK with it that is all that matters.

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by FRUNKenstein » Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:49 am

ipman wrote: Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:45 pm As a comparator, I put on new leather seat cover in my SUV, 1st and 2nd row, 5 headrests, center console and arm rests for 2k. The kit was a mid/high grade at 1100 and just under 900 install, which was 16-18 hours of labor. I have done seats before and was more than happy to pay someone to do it.

Is that 2 seats only? No doors, center console or anything? And vinyl? That is high IMO, but as long as you are OK with it that is all that matters.
Yeah, just 2 seats and nothing more. I think it's a bit high still at $1,800 plus tax, especially considering they had all of the materials in stock and it's just regular vinyl. I think the difference is that it is being custom tailored rather than buying a kit of pre-made seat covers and having them installed. I bought a set of leather seat covers from Lseat.com for the 944 Turbo last year. The seat covers were about $500, and they had perforated inserts, deviated stitching and embossed Porsche crests in the headrests. Then I paid the same shop $500 to install. That's about what it will cost to have the 914 seats done in the really cool blue plaid cloth & black vinyl. So, the difference is being able to buy a pre-made kit from someone who makes a bunch of them versus having a one-off cover made. I looked, but never could find anyone making X1/9 seat covers, which is odd since they made quite a few of those cars.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:14 am

I picked up the car from the trim shop today. So, took them a little over a month to get the job done. Total bill with taxes was $1,970. So . . . ouch. They did a very nice job, but after I put the car in the shop, I found a company that sells all black X1/9 seatcovers for $300. So, I could have had a decent set bought and professionally installed ($500) for $800. Not sure why I couldn't locate them before because I definitely looked. Oh well, these seats came out well, so I'm happy with them even if it was a bit pricey. They called me a couple of weeks ago to come out to look at the progress. We had originally planned to have green piping on the seats. But, with the X1/9 embroidery on the headrests and the diamond pattern stitching, I opted to skip the green piping. I am glad I did as I think it looks better without it. Also, the shop took out some of the stuffing in the seats to give me some more room. It makes the seats a little hard, but every bit of space is precious in that car, especially with the roof on.

OK, here's the pic:

New seat covers, 2021-1-11.jpg
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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gnat
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by gnat » Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:18 am

Funny shade of red, but looks good :lol:

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:48 am

gnat wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:18 am Funny shade of red, but looks good :lol:
Ha. And thanks!
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am

Dr_Strangelove (whew!) wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:49 am Going to throw a curve ball here and say how about black seats, green stitching, NO piping? I feel like the car is very green as it is.. I'm honestly going to be the lone vote for #4 overall if you need to give a reference to your upholstery guy.
I guess I ended up going with your suggestion, although I really didn't conciously recall this suggestion. You must have inherited some Cris Angel "Mindfreak" powers living there in Vegas. :D
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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32wildbilly
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:39 am

Those look GREAT! My bet is much better looking than the $300 choice. You did good.
FRUNKenstein wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:14 am I picked up the car from the trim shop today. So, took them a little over a month to get the job done. Total bill with taxes was $1,970. So . . . ouch. They did a very nice job, but after I put the car in the shop, I found a company that sells all black X1/9 seatcovers for $300. So, I could have had a decent set bought and professionally installed ($500) for $800. Not sure why I couldn't locate them before because I definitely looked. Oh well, these seats came out well, so I'm happy with them even if it was a bit pricey. They called me a couple of weeks ago to come out to look at the progress. We had originally planned to have green piping on the seats. But, with the X1/9 embroidery on the headrests and the diamond pattern stitching, I opted to skip the green piping. I am glad I did as I think it looks better without it. Also, the shop took out some of the stuffing in the seats to give me some more room. It makes the seats a little hard, but every bit of space is precious in that car, especially with the roof on.

OK, here's the pic:

New seat covers, 2021-1-11.jpg
Never gonna make you cry...

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FRUNKenstein
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by FRUNKenstein » Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:48 am

32wildbilly wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:39 am Those look GREAT! My bet is much better looking than the $300 choice. You did good.
Thanks, Billy. I dropped off the 914 when I picked up the X1/9. The shop will be installing the new blue plaid seat covers that I got from 914rubber.com. I'm really looking forward to that upgrade as well. When I get the 914 out of the shop, I'll swap in the new steering wheel with the blue deviated stitching and post some pics of that car. I will still have some 914 projects to do, but both the X1/9 and the 914 have had a good winter.
www.kansascityautomuseum.com
Current:
2002 996TT X50, Guards Red
1987 928S4, Guards Red
1987 951, Guards Red
1973 914 2.0 Bahia Red

2006 955S, Lapis Blue
Other toys:
1988 BMW 325i Cabriolet, Alpin Weiss
1987 Bertone X1/9, Verde Chiaro
Gone but not forgotten: 1975 914 2.0, Laguna Blue; 1999 996 C4 Aerokit Black; 1990 964 C2 Guards Red; 2006 955S Arctic Silver

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32wildbilly
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by 32wildbilly » Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:03 am

Pics of improvements are appreciated.
FRUNKenstein wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:48 am
32wildbilly wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:39 am Those look GREAT! My bet is much better looking than the $300 choice. You did good.
Thanks, Billy. I dropped off the 914 when I picked up the X1/9. The shop will be installing the new blue plaid seat covers that I got from 914rubber.com. I'm really looking forward to that upgrade as well. When I get the 914 out of the shop, I'll swap in the new steering wheel with the blue deviated stitching and post some pics of that car. I will still have some 914 projects to do, but both the X1/9 and the 914 have had a good winter.
Never gonna make you cry...

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Dr_Strangelove
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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9

Post by Dr_Strangelove » Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:24 am

FRUNKenstein wrote: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am
Dr_Strangelove (whew!) wrote: Thu Dec 03, 2020 11:49 am Going to throw a curve ball here and say how about black seats, green stitching, NO piping? I feel like the car is very green as it is.. I'm honestly going to be the lone vote for #4 overall if you need to give a reference to your upholstery guy.
I guess I ended up going with your suggestion, although I really didn't conciously recall this suggestion. You must have inherited some Cris Angel "Mindfreak" powers living there in Vegas. :D

Great minds think alike! It came out really well. I think you're going to get a lot of compliments on it.
2003 Carrera: Dark Teal Metallic

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