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Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2020 6:45 pm
by ipman
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.
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:49 am
by FRUNKenstein
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.
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:14 am
by FRUNKenstein
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:
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:18 am
by gnat
Funny shade of red, but looks good
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:48 am
by FRUNKenstein
gnat wrote: ↑Mon Jan 11, 2021 8:18 am
Funny shade of red, but looks good
Ha. And thanks!
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:31 am
by FRUNKenstein
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.
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:39 am
by 32wildbilly
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
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:48 am
by FRUNKenstein
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.
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 10:03 am
by 32wildbilly
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.
Re: 1987 Bertone (aka Fiat) X1/9
Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2021 11:24 am
by Dr_Strangelove
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.
Great minds think alike! It came out really well. I think you're going to get a lot of compliments on it.