Vlad's Interior Upgrade Thread

[tig]

I considered posting this as part of Vlad's main thread, but decided I want a separate discussion. So a new thread...

Those of you following along with me and Vlad know that I've always wanted to put E34 Sport Seats in him. Originally this was a "nice to have" thing I was going to eventually do. It ranked below doing a euro bumper update because the interior of Vlad is in very, very good shape.



However, the driver's chair in Vlad rocks. It's very annoying to me. I've taken it out and tried to assess fixing it (and read the various threads here where others have attempted the same) and am convinced it's just not worth it.

As I fixed other issues on Vlad, the need to upgrade the seats has risen to the top-of the to-do list. I've been annoying you all with my constant bumping of my "WTB E34 Sport Seats" thread. Knock on wood, but I think that part of the equation has been solved and a set of black, powered, E34 sport seats should be in my possession within a week!!!! I don't want to jinx it by giving details, but let's just say a long time member here is "on it" and has them in his possession.

Sanity (and my wife) would probably prefer I just plop the E34 seats in and call it a day. However, I have much greater ambitions. You see, I've always loved red and black interiors and I see this as an opportunity to craft the perfect cockpit for Vlad.

The Vision
I have a vision. It's mostly formed, but will likely be refined over the next few months as I execute on it. Here's the gist of it:

The theme will be black with bold red highlights. It will appear to be custom but high quality. When you see it you will think "wow, that's sporty". When you drive it you will say "I could do this every day". At car shows people will exclaim "some serious thought went into that" and "unique, but very tastefully done."

Items to be covered in black leather:

• Dash (eventually)
• Driver's kick panel
• Glovebox
• Shift boot
• Ebrake housing
• Seat bolsters/sides (front & rear)
• Headrests (I think)

Items to be covered in red leather:

• Center console (upper)
• Center console (lower)
• Center sections of seats
• Door cards (but not door handles)

Items to be left alone:

• Steering wheel (I *love* the patina of my stock wheel)
• Ashtray

The Plan
I think the way I want to approach this is to basically source all new (used) interior components for the things that will be recovered in leather. I'm already doing this with seats. Since my interior is in such good shape, I figure I can eventually sell all the original parts. Since I'm covering things in leather, I can source new (used) parts, such as a center console, or driver's kick panel in just about any color or condition.

I want to do the dash in black leather (not alcantra or suede) but plan on holding off on that until either the dash I have cracks badly or I need to replace the windshield. So, likely for quite a long time, the dash will remain as is.

I have several upholstery shops in town I plan on meeting with. I'll pick the one that gives me the best vibe for what I'm trying to do. I'd love to hear comments/thoughts about any of the places in the Seattle/Eastside area others on the forum have worked with.

Steps:

• [1]Install the E34 seats as soon as I get them. (DONE)
  [2]Acquire other interior bits. (DONE)
  [3]Select upholstery shop (DONE)
  [4]Eventually recover dash

I'm not sure what to do about the headliner yet. I think I just want it to be black.

Happy to hear other's opinions...

EDIT: Here are pics of Vlad's interior as of Jan-4-2015. E34 Sport Seats, lighted M shifter, etc... More to come. Read all about it below.

[wkohler]

I don't like where this is going.

[tig]

I don't like where this is going.

Hi, I'm Chris:

[Kyle in NO]

IMHO two-tone seats will make your otherwise beautiful vehicle look cheap and cheesy. Sorry. I would go black on the seats and maybe use some red door panels to accentuate them. You can always go back to the black door panels when you realize your interior looks like eBay exploded inside.

[tig]

IMHO two-tone seats will make your otherwise beautiful vehicle look cheap and cheesy. Sorry. I would go black on the seats and maybe use some red door panels to accentuate them. You can always go back to the black door panels when you realize your interior looks like eBay exploded inside.

Now *that's* an opinion. Crystal clear. I get it. I disagree, but I get it.

No need to apologize Kyle. I asked for opinions.

[Kyle in NO]

[Coldswede]

Have you considered just swapping the drivers seat and the passenger seat around to be rid of the rocking?


You said you don't like cardinal but have you ever seen a nice cardinal interior in person? (No offense intended) It makes a stunning interior.

[Mab1957]

The interior is a good place to express yourself for relatively low cost and if you don't like it a change is relatively simple to execute. Black/Anthrazite and red are a wonderful combination. Personally I like Cardinal and Taurus because the dark (politically incorrect 'ox blood') color in their finish ties the two together. I'm not a fan of the two tone seats, it is just too busy. That white M5 clone was a good example of busy-ness, it took away from the rest of the package, which was wonderful.

That said it won't be expensive to try them out and at the end of the day you could have both a red and black interior to work with. Go for it! Fresh leather interiors are fantastic to slip into.

[wkohler]

HIS CAR IS RED. Unless you own a Chevy Beretta or a Red Pontiac 6000, this will look like total crap. Seriously. My Dads corvette is red on red and I don't get that, but it seems like a genius plan compared to this one.

The way I see your interior finished off using that ridiculous lobster red and black in a red car will look like you're 17 and will eliminate any of the understated elligance that the E28 possesses. I'd be less adamant about its ridiculousness if your car wasn't Zinnoberrot, but it is and the level of absurdity would be off the charts.

Maybe you might like to use these seats instead:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/4025989612.html

[tig]

Wow, those yellow seats are amazing! I'm gonna buy them instead of the e34 seats and go yellow instead of red!

[WilNJ]

I'm with Chris on this, I love a red interior but not on a red car.

[shagrath]

I like subtle 2 tone interiors. Pac Blue with Pearl Beige centers in the seats or that color combo with other interior panels.

I definitely think the dark red stuff is too dark for your car. I personally vote, that if you go 2 tone, that you use black seats with Pearl centers and black everything else. Make the back seats match the front. Otherwise, I would stick with all one color. My Cirrus car has Pac Blue interior and is due for the seats to be recoverd (hopefully before Vintage next year) and I will stick to all blue.

**Still love the car btw!**

[Drew in NYC]

You seem like someone who very much knows what he wants, so not sure why you're asking for opinions.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

[87royal]

I have to agree with Kyle, and Chris =
IMHO, if you're going to add red interior to a red exterior, it's gotta be more subtle than that. The most red I would do would be limited to the seat piping, and stitching of what would be all black leather.

[Coldswede]

HIS CAR IS RED. Unless you own a Chevy Beretta or a Red Pontiac 6000, this will look like total crap. Seriously. My Dads corvette is red on red and I don't get that, but it seems like a genius plan compared to this one.

The way I see your interior finished off using that ridiculous lobster red and black in a red car will look like you're 17 and will eliminate any of the understated elligance that the E28 possesses. I'd be less adamant about its ridiculousness if your car wasn't Zinnoberrot, but it is and the level of absurdity would be off the charts.

Maybe you might like to use these seats instead:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/4025989612.html

There are many expensive, and beautiful red over red cars. Some folks do indeed like the combo, you apparently do not. That however, does not invalidate the option for the color combo.

[clongo]

I just worked on a red/red 135i. It was aweful. I love red interiors, just not in red cars.

[Coldswede]

HIS CAR IS RED. Unless you own a Chevy Beretta or a Red Pontiac 6000, this will look like total crap. Seriously. My Dads corvette is red on red and I don't get that, but it seems like a genius plan compared to this one.

The way I see your interior finished off using that ridiculous lobster red and black in a red car will look like you're 17 and will eliminate any of the understated elligance that the E28 possesses. I'd be less adamant about its ridiculousness if your car wasn't Zinnoberrot, but it is and the level of absurdity would be off the charts.

Maybe you might like to use these seats instead:

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/pts/4025989612.html

There are many expensive, and beautiful red over red cars. Some folks do indeed like the combo, you apparently do not. That however, does not invalidate the option for the color combo.

[OcCoupe]

I have to agree with Kyle, and Chris =
IMHO, if you're going to add red interior to a red exterior, it's gotta be more subtle than that. The most red I would do would be limited to the seat piping, and stitching of what would be all black leather.

I commission all the cars at my dealership and I have been to the factory several times and witnessed what other dealers have ordered. I am not suggesting that I have the best taste but I do have a lot of experience with what works and what doesn't work.

The first thought that comes to mind is that redheads don't tend to look good in red dresses.

Second thought is that I have never sold or seen a Ferrari that has a red exterior and a red interior with the exception of 2 cars, an Enzo and a Challenge Stradale. In both cases the interior was a darker shade of red and alcantara. this worked because the darker red did not compete with the red exterior. In addition the alcantara made the interior more muted and it had lots of black. In fact the only surface that was red was the tops of the seat. everything else was black with the exception of the stitching. Not to mention that these cars are Ferrari's and can handle being flashy, our cars don't carry that flash too well.

Third thought is Porsche which I believe you are quite familiar with, so am I. The only time I have seen an interior color work well is when the seat backs, stitching, and seat belts have matched the exterior of the car. The seat backs as you know can come painted in the same color as the exterior which is why it worked.

Fourth thought is red in general. I like red and seek to do a red/black interior in my coupe. I have seen red interiors that work and red interiors that fail miserably. Red should be used as a contrast or an accent. If it doesn't have contrast then the color will compete with the exterior, if this is the case then it won't go well. Red with a black interior with red accents is a great way to go and it is what has been tried and proven. This shouldn't be one of those reinventing the wheel moments. It is a costly adventure and the professionals have already tried it which is why they know what works and what doesn't.

Lobster red is probably not the best red to use on a red car. It will strongly compete with the exterior and will end up looking pink. I think if you are going to go the route of customizing your interior I would go the Porsche or Ferrari route. I would consider all black with red stitching. Since you plan on doing the dash in black you could also have it sewn in red as well as the seats. Just make sure the person doing this for you can make those stitches as straight as possible or you will go nuts staring at all the wavy stitching especially on the passenger side where the three trays are and the stitch at the top of the dash. Perhaps a custom set of black mats finished with red bindings. You could always do the seat backs in red. Red stitching on black door cards and armrests would look great!!!

I like the abstract thinking, I would just take a step back and rethink this. Don't go trying to prove us wrong, that could take you down a path you most likely will regret.

Good luck with your creative adventure!
Mike

[87royal]

Glad to see OcCoupe agree with me, elaborately.

[Drew in NYC]

There are many expensive, and beautiful red over red cars. Some folks do indeed like the combo, you apparently do not. That however, does not invalidate the option for the color combo.

I don't think we're talking about red over red, Randy. We're talking about this:

Items to be covered in red leather:
...
Center sections of seats

Even red on red would be preferable to the above.

[unt0uchable]

As much as I love love love cardinal interiors (and red interiors in general), I have to agree with the fact that I'm not a fan of them in red cars. I would love a Diamond Schwartz over Cardinal e28 someday...but for my Zinno, black is the best choice for interior colors. I do like the idea of maybe having things covered in leather and using red stitching to accent. That's a more elegant touch to me. But all that red leather in a red car makes it look like a 17 year old and his eBay account got a hold of it...

I really really enjoy the direction you car is going in general, and I frequent your build thread for inspiration and just to look at an excellent Zinno example but this red interior thing has got me wondering... I hope it doesn't get too far out of hand and have ill effects on the overall awesomeness of your car.

[tig]

You guys are awesome.

This is fun and I appreciate both the flamboyant, flame-inducing responses, as well as the well reasoned ones.

We shall see...

[wkohler]

My response is well-reasoned. It will look like ass. Not sure why people are surprised to agree with me. I can visualize things very well and know what works and what doesn't work.

Piping might even be pushing it a bit, but if you're doing E34 sport seats, they have French seams, and I think it would work well for the stitching. Subtlety is the key. Even if you covered the centers of the seats in something like red alcantara (not a great choice if you plan to use the car), it would be more fitting than red leather.

Of course, it's your car and your money and you will do what you want anyway, so go for it. You could even do a red headliner. Red alcantara.

[shagrath]

Duct tape red flame headliner.

[unt0uchable]

Duct tape red flame headliner.

He's not joking.

Because Zebra.