Restoring HB9116754 Lemans

[jumpinjan]

Painstakingly slow progress because I had to make all new patterns rather than using the original vinyl seat covers. Things just want to change & move and I want to get a nice fit. It should go faster now.
Jan

 

[jumpinjan]

I finished up the one seat back. I found that the leather likes to wrinkle, that must be because it's very soft.
Jan

 

[alpine_64]

Jan,

I've noticed your microcell trimming seems to be more luxurious that the majority I've seen.

By this i mean the competion optional ones and period ads have a thinner outer edge and top squab.

Your's have a squared off thicker top and edge similar to the contour 5 square topped seats.

Did you have a pattern from the originals..or based the round top on the square top buckets?

 

[jumpinjan]

Jan,

I've noticed your microcell trimming seems to be more luxurious that the majority

I have the original seat covers and I copied the original cover.
Jan

 

[alpine_64]

I have the original seat covers and I copied the original cover.
Jan

That's really interesting. I wonder if they offered 2 styles of covers/foams.

All the SII race cars ive seen that had the comps option seats were the same as the ones on the adv and photos i posted...
But maybe the Harrington had them padded in a more luxurious manner per yours. I remember Ian's blue Harrington had the same as yours.

 

[jumpinjan]

I remember Ian's blue Harrington had the same as yours.

Yes, Ian's Harrington, Dave Kellogg's Harrington and mine are all from the same patterns.
Jan

 

[jumpinjan]

Finally, finally I have the seat backs done. Many, many hours in these seats. I made the lumbar as a "loose back" cusion, much like the S-3/IV seats.
I'll start on the seat bottoms next.
Jan

 

[Aladin Sane]

Those look great. Can't wait to see the full finished product.

 

[alpine_64]

Finally, finally I have the seat backs done. Many, many hours in these seats. I made the lumbar as a "loose back" cusion, much like the S-3/IV seats.
I'll start on the seat bottoms next.
Jan
View attachment 38143

View attachment 38144

The floating rear squab is a good idea.
Are you using a wire on each side to anchor it to the base frame?

 

[jumpinjan]

Are you using a wire on each side to anchor it to the base frame?

It's not a metal wire, it's called tufting twine or button twine (Make a note of that)
Still tweaking the patterns to get the right fit. I had to rip the stitching and sew again and better now. This is the seat area, still have the sides to do. I think one more week and then finished.
I like that red piping on black, that's so cool.
Jan

 

[4pines]

Outstanding

 

[jumpinjan]

All finished on the MicroCell Contour6 seats now, and starting on the glove box & rear Lemans seat back.
Jan

 

[Alpine 1789]

Beautiful work, Jan! Any chance we will be able to see the car at the Invasion?

 

[jumpinjan]

Any chance we will be able to see the car at the Invasion?

No, it's not going to ready for the 2026 Invasion. I wish I had more time, I would love to bring the Lemans.
Well, back on the interior again, and finished the center console. Next will be the rear seat back & visors.
Jan

 

[HLM '62]

All finished on the MicroCell Contour6 seats now, and starting on the glove box & rear Lemans seat back.
Jan
View attachment 38200

Here are the photos of my Microcells before and after.

 

[SoCal'beaming]

"I like that red piping on black, that's so cool".
Jan
View attachment 38168

Me to ..

 

[jumpinjan]

I was ripping off the old rear seat back covering and found horse hair and not cotton used as a filler. That surely saved a penny or two...LoL
I sewed up the pleats on the new cover and shaped the new foam cushion. I found using a template on the cushion shape helps a lot getting the right shape.
Jan

 

[HLM '62]

Nice foam template. Good job

 

[jumpinjan]

This was a bitch to finish, and luckily it turned out fine. I have the two seat pads to finish, then I done with sewing.
Jan

 

[HLM '62]

I like the bitch