Spider upholstery

Lee King · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 06:28 AM

I'm looking at World Upholstery to reupholster the seats in my 91 Spider.
The particular product is their Sport Seat Kit for 91 - 94 Spiders in leather.

Any body had experience with World Upholstery and this kit in particular. I'm thinking I'll have the actual installation done by a pro because this looks like a reasonably complicated install because of the deep pleats etc.

Any input wouild be appreciated.

Thanks,

**msiert** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee King

I'm looking at World Upholstery to reupholster the seats in my 91 Spider.
The particular product is their Sport Seat Kit for 91 - 94 Spiders in leather.

Any body had experience with World Upholstery and this kit in particular. I'm thinking I'll have the actual installation done by a pro because this looks like a reasonably complicated install because of the deep pleats etc.

Any input wouild be appreciated.

Thanks,

**Stan Murray** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 09:37 AM

I did use World UPH on my 91 in Tan Vinyl and did it myself and they look very nice. The product is excellent. I took the head rests, before installing, to an embroiding shop and had Alfa Romeo sewn on them and they look good. Makes the car feel new again.
I also used World on a 69 in Vinyl and was well pleased. However I know not about the leather.
Stan

**Gubi** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 10:26 AM

I also did their kit in vinyl. I was very happy with the quality of the vinyl and the pieces fit well. Ask 'em for a small sample of the leather if you want to check the quality - I'm sure they'll mail you a scrap.

I was able to do most of the work myself, but the bottoms I had done by a professional as they're a little tricky.

**Roadtrip** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 10:55 AM

Check with a local upholstery shop and see what they'd charge to make and install new covers. A good shop should be able to recreate the originals exactly. I've seen some pretty bad install jobs by owners. Besides, it's very likely that parts of the cushions need to be re-padded and rebuilt.

**Gubi** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 12:55 PM

Forgot to mention - the World Upholstery seats do have a different pattern down the middle than the OEM ones. They don't have the suede section (big plus in terms of longevity in my mind) and the cross ribbing stitches go all the way to the front. I think they look quite good, but they are slightly different than OEM.

Let me know if you want a photograph.

**jarrington** · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtrip

Check with a local upholstery shop and see what they'd charge to make and install new covers. A good shop should be able to recreate the originals exactly. I've seen some pretty bad install jobs by owners. Besides, it's very likely that parts of the cushions need to be re-padded and rebuilt.

Lee King · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 02:13 PM

Tom, Would love the photo. I know the suede insert is missing & also considet that a plus. This car is very original and very clean but it is not going to Barrett jackson anytime soon and I really prefer the "all leather " look.

Lee

**Gubi** · #9 (**permalink**) 03-10-2008, 06:45 PM

Here you go. You can see the front portion of the base is what's different - it's smooth on the OEM seats, ribbed on the new seats.

Alfa_Rover · #10 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 07:47 AM

I need to replace the uphostery on my '84 seats. They look like they have leather seating surfaces, with vinyl elsewhere.

Although I like leather and ease of maintenance with vinyl, I am considering other fabrics. Something more breathable.

I work with boats and have seen some ballistic nylon (cordura) seat uphostery. It is not slippery like standard nylon and very durable.

Any thoughts?

**Zunige** · #11 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 08:06 AM

The seats of the '84 do only have leather in the seating area, and vinyl on the sides and backs... I don't know what color you are looking for, but today's replacement kits are all leather, since this avoids the color difference that occurs when the leather and vinyl age. As far as using different material and/or color, I have seen this done several times. However, my personal opinion is that these changes don't look good at all. The OEM interior color matches very well, and any deviation stands out for the worst, IMO.

Best regards,

pininfarina · #12 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 08:22 AM

i get my alfa seats done by local guy, here is a picture,
i find the black full leather with tan french stitch seat looks very nice in a S4 spider,
no vinyl on sides and back ,no cloth in the mid section,i find this better for long term,

Garry-Graig · #13 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pininfarina

i get my alfa seats done by local guy, here is a picture,
i find the black full leather with tan french stitch seat looks very nice in a S4 spider,
no vinyl on sides and back ,no cloth in the mid section,i find this better for long term,

dghii · #14 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 11:35 AM

I purchased a world upholstery kit (tan vinyl) about five years ago for my 84 and had them installed at a local shop.
Got the kit off ebay directly from world for $150 for the pair. Paid $80 for the pair to be installed.
The seats look great and have held up perfectly.

**SpiderWebb** · #15 (**permalink**) 04-23-2008, 12:42 PM

What would be said by 'Alfisti in the know' if we went 'all black leather and black carpet' on our interior with the stock chrome and silver accents (door panels black vinyl of course)?

Was that an option in 1981?

I want to stay true to the original look of the car, but the tan seats, door panels and black carpet and dash seem kind of odd.

The only fashion rule I know was from my mother 'Never wear a brown belt with black shoes'.