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MG MG Y Type - Leather vs vinyl

Hi all,
I had initially just thought I would re do my YT's seats in leather as was original.
However my upholster says vinyl is a good even better option.
Apparently most Merc's are vinyl and a lot of the lower priced (that says something) beamers.
Mercedes claim their vinyl is
more economical, easier to clean, longer lasting. doesn't require dressing, breathes better than leather,
Also commented that the Connolly (is that the spelling?) leather is not as good as once was, and there are better available.
Does anyone have an opinion/experience in this regard?
thanks all
KGM
K G Mills

Very much personal preference, KG - but in (finally) completing Y3348 this year, I'm very glad I went for leather seat coverings. The look and feel are pleasing, maintenance minimal; whatever you choose, keep a metre spare for "accidents and incidents" - my back seat was apparently attractive to one of the cats as a scratching post. Easily fixed by the upholsterer - or little scratch marks to keep as a reminder to shut the windows at night!
Also, you and I both live in states with hot summer temperatures - I hate to think what hot vinyl feels like on the bum. I look forward to photos as your work progresses.
John.





J P Hall

Hi John,
Understanding that you're in QLD and I'm in VIC, what did your lovely leather seats cost?
Our YT's original leather seats are hanging in there and still comfortable but are carrying a number of unsightly repairs and cracks. The last time I enquired about reupholstering I was scared off by the quote.
Regards,
Robert
R Ades

Hey Robert - I found a semi-retired (ex Pom) motor trimmer who "volunteered" to do the job on a cash basis; he roped in his son, also a motor trimmer, to help - which is just as well, as the first fellow died shortly before he finished the headlining. I mean really.
That said, between the two of them they did a great job. I'll be speaking to Kris the son in the next day or two, so I'll get him to give me an indicative mates-rates price. I made a point of stressing a couple of "features" that were important to my eye - like the rounded roll around the top edge, the direction of the pleats, etc - and they took it all on board quite happily.
I'll let you know what I find out.
John.
J P Hall

Hi guys
A local upholster is currently working on new front seats for my YT which has non original seats (make unknown). The seat I purchased from Tony S but the bottom steel frame tubes are rusted, so he is currently trying to bend the tube to same radius as original.

After discussing leather/vinyl options with him, we decided to go with leather, as the car will be housed indoors when not used and the cost wasn't much different to vinyl. He has purchased 2 hides which he said would be enough for all seats plus door and panels. The supplier has put aside another hide just in case it is needed.

As I am in no hurry, he (and his apprentice son) will work on my seats when they are a bit slack, so the cost is at mate rates (like when he made the YT hood).

I am going with a Sandstone colour and same colour piping. It is lighter in colour than biscuit. I have tried photographing the hide but photos do not show the true colour. YT is painted green.

Cheers
Stuart
Stuart Duncan

Stuart, that green body colour and sandstone upholstery sounds drop-dead gorgeous mate. Interested that you went with matching piping - I did too, with the darkish green leather, and there were a few murmurings at the Nationals about "not having contrasting piping". Lucky we were only there for fun. Also, your costings will be more helpful to Robert Ades, being another Y Tourer. I look forward very much to seeing photos of your creation, down the track.
Robert, back to you as soon as I hear from my bloke up here.
John.
PS - reading other posts, I wish we could persuade Willy Revitt (probably his nom-de-racing cars) to join us on the mainland for a conflab!
J P Hall

My clipper blue YT will be going into the trimmers after Christmas to get fitted out in new leather. I have gone with a colour that is close to the old sandy leather colour .The wife looked at the salt and pepper cover and said without being asked I DO NOT LIKE THAT. Do you think I should go with salt and pepper HAHAHA... BOB
Bob Wood

Gee you'd be a brave man, Bob!
Given that you're having your YT upholstery done very soon, I'm sure Robert in Vic would be glad to know what the (ballpark) current cost of the job might be. John.
J P Hall

Thanks all, I'm tracking these comments with interest!
All information gratefully received.
Regards,
Rob
R Ades

Hi all,
For my YT, ball park figures I have so far,
One quote after on site inspection for all except for the side panels at the foot well (these exist)
$Aud 16,000

Second preliminary quote from pictures only, and for the seats only (so no doors and quarter panels)
$Aud 7,500 in vinyl
$Aud 9,500 in leather.

Pretty well decided on leather, but need to raid the piggy bank. All upholsterers here have full books so it is going to take quite a while. (6 months and counting at least)

regards KGM
K G Mills

Wow, ......... looks like we have to hold and use our YTs for some years to get value of that cost as we wouldn't recover the cost when sold.

I haven't even discussed cost with my upholsterer and he didn't ask for part payment for the hides he has purchased.

Stuart
Stuart Duncan

Iwas very fortunate to find an upholterer that did the seats in a Brazilian sourced leather. cost of the seats only $5000. CDN. Which was still a big expenditure. The original were too damaged to repair.
CR Tyrell

Hi
i like my leather
it is wonderful
so a good solution to make it with leather too,
done it myself
perhaps interesting for you

here my story of the interior:

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/t-series-and-prewar-forum.46/mg-ya-no-1675-from-1948.4022768/page-45

a lot of pictures, every step ;-)
you have to do.

if you want more information mail me

my cost 300 Euro for two leather parts ;-)
and about 3 weekends work
Sorry
FT Franz

With respect to the question of costs of material for recovering Y seats folk, be aware that typically a pair of Y front seats (because of the shape of the hoop on the top and sides) they require two hides with a lot of waste. On top of that, professional leather workers are a very rare commodity these days so can charge a lot of money for labor. Add to that the cost of running a business these days and the need to make a profit and it all stacks up.

Paul
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul,
thanks or your insights on this.
Regarding the question of the number of hides, I guess they come in different sizes. But I have read somewhere that only three hides are needed per car, which seems odd to me.
Do you have any experience with the seat and back rest cushion?
regards KGM
K G Mills

Yes sir - two hides typically for the front seats plus one for the rear squab and back combined = 3 hides.

The front hoops will use the second hide and leave insufficient contiguous material to do anything with. Such is the wonderful design of our seats ... but they are incredibly comfortable when done in leather!
Paul Barrow

Look to Post
#593

https://www.mgexp.com/forum/t-series-and-prewar-forum.46/mg-ya-no-1675-from-1948.4022768/page-40

there you can see how to arrage it,
2 of them, and i have taken the leather for the side covers too, and still some leather too work with


FT Franz

Thanks Franz,
that post you pointed to, and the following ones are very useful.
With your blessing, I'll make a copy of them to show to my upholsterer.

regards KGM
K G Mills

I took a copy of the Franz's layout to show my upholsterer. He wasn't interested in them.

He said the layout will depend on size of hides which vary in size from 3.8 sq m to 8 sq m, plus if there are any scars (or as his apprentice son added - bullet holes).

He is still working on getting the front seat leg/frames made to replace the rusted ones I have - he is having trouble making the correct radius bends.

Stuart
Stuart Duncan


Gentlemen
Maybe this text helps to save some $! In 2015, I bought from NTG two ready made front seat covers, plus enough material to cover may YT (tourer) rear seat, locally.
The price for the two front seat covers was 995.-£ and the price for enough material to cover the YT rear seat (backrest and squab) was 447.- £!

At the time, I never checked if NTG also offered ready made covers for YA/Bs - because the squab of a YT is different.

Good luck
Anton the Swiss YT freak

Anton Piller

Finally took delivery of my YT with new all leather seats and interior trim (waiting for another hide to arrive for door cards) from the upholster. All up 4 hides were used with very few largish offcuts.

Length of time to complete was due to making seat bases; upholster tried numerous methods to bend new tube without luck. I found a local tube bending company who bent the 4 steel legs withing a day. Then there was Christmas and January shut downs.

Only the front seat metal back and frame and seat skirt frame could be saved and used from the seats I had, so seats are all foam. Rear seat springs were good and reused after extending the top of the seat forward.

Currently when sitting / driving I have trouble getting legs between seats and steering wheel and eyes are level with top of windscreen. 25mm will be removed from front seats foam to lower occupants sitting position.

Driver's seat runners still need to be placed under carpet, but that can wait until new carpet is installed.

I am trailering the YT to the National MG meeting in Tamworth next week.

Stuart



Stuart Duncan

Stuart
That looks really really special-
Good luck at Tamworth

willy
William Revit

Hi Stuart, I am also getting my YT seat done at the moment so I can,t take it to Tamworth but the M type is taking it,s place. It will be good to exchange ideas and take some photos as my interior was a basket case. BOB YT4319
Bob Wood

I notice that Y Tourer rear seats don't appear to have the fold down centre armrest--
A question--did all the YA/YB sedans have the armrest or was it only some.

willy
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2023 and 24/03/2024

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