Has anybody here used re-originals leather kits recently for a 328? If so, can you post photos of the final result? They say they get the original Connolly leather on their website. Would really appreciate any insight. https://reoriginals.com/seatcoversspecifyconnollyleathernumberseat-u0085.aspx
I really like Reorigionals and I really like Matt but I never in 1000 years use Connely leather. There are good reasons they went out of business twice.
Thanks Brian, I just want the seats to look as original as possible. Can you recommend someone who could do the work for me and a source for the leather ? Would really appreciate it. skipp
2 different issues. There are only so many capable of doing it. Then there is the leather. Several sources for that but Connely is garbage. Doesnt Matt offer different leather. You know, a quality supplier. There are several options. Lupi and HVL both offer leather. Thats just not a problem. Where are you? I know a guy in the California Gold Country who is an artist.
I’m in Charlotte, NC I haven’t contacted Matt to ask about his leather. His website says you’re supposed to tell him the Connelly Code which I believe is VM3218 for my chassis number. That doesn’t mean he’s specifically using hides from Connelly I suppose. If Matt is not using Connolly Leather, would you suggest buying his kit already fabricated based on the low number of people that can do this work?
If not Connely you bet. I am pretty sure he is sourcing from Italy. Betting he just wants code so no miscommunication in color. There were different codes for pretty similar but never the less different colors.
Hi, not sure why Rifledriver is so down on Connelly leather when so many top manufacturers used it for decades. Not sure if ReOriginals is actually Connelly, as I know they went out of business years ago. He does have the seats made in Italy though and I had a set done with the Daytona pattern for my 328 and they look awesome. I got lots of compliments on them. Have a look … Image Unavailable, Please Login
Much appreciated. Can you give a bit of insight on what you did once the materials came from reoriginals ? How did you go about having it all installed in the car ?
I had them installed by a shop that does car interiors and leather work. You should also ask if they can/should replace the foam as well, since it’s decades old. Not mandatory but explore it with them. Or, you can try it yourself I don’t know how handy you are. I just didn’t want to take any chances and screw it up somehow! Here are a couple of more shots, you can blow them up for more detail. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I give my originals a good cleaning and apply 2 coats of Connolly hide food I think the came out good Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Some of those same top manufacturers used Lucas electrical equipment. And no one but those manufacturers ever wasted breath defending the choice. Doing something just because you have always done it that way is just not good business and many famous, storied British companies no longer exist because of it. Connelly among them.
The previous owner of my 328 had the interior redone with Re-originals seat covers and door covers, and they also got some matching leather stock for various other surfaces. Looks pretty damn good but I have not compared to other vendors. It seems nicer quality than the original seat material, but then again, I never saw them when they were new so not really fair to compare to the 35+ year old seats in 328's I have sat in. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I contacted re-originals. Apparently they lost their upholsterer to retirement and don’t have anybody else to fill his shoes. They can supply the Leather, but I believe you have to come up with your own upholsterer at this point
I misspoke earlier. I got clarification from re-originals. They still have the seat leather fully trimmed when you receive them. You then have to get an upholsterer to install them. Apparently they used to do the installations also and don’t at the present time. Photo is of what the finished product looked like with their old upholstery guy. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks good. The only thing I can see is a bit of gathering on the passenger seat waist bolster where the stitch line runs, just to the right of the seatbelt catch. That should be very taught on the original.
That is one of my main concerns. I want the leather to be nice and tight like it is on the originals. The example above looks good to me. But, I’ve seen plenty where the upholstery looks loose.
They don’t show 328 photos on the website, so here’s more of what they emailed me. Two seats are $3,500 Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I misspoke earlier. I got clarification from re-originals. They still have the seat leather fully trimmed when you receive them. You then have to get an upholsterer to install them. Apparently they used to do the installations also and don’t at the present time
The 328 parts look good. The only comment I would say is the OEM headrest cavallinos are debossed not embossed and there's look the other way around.
They actually said they can do it either way. Your preference. I’ve been corresponding with them, but what’s holding me back is not having a talented upholsterer that I know 100% is going to make it look as good as the ones that came from the factory or look like the ones that re-originals shows in the photo That were done by their old upholsterer who retired. I may buy the materials from them while it’s all available and have it installed once I’ve come up with somebody to do the work
