I'm into leather

But not the way you might be thinking. At last, a complete light shale Calais leather interior has arrived after delivery delays arising from the Victorian bushfires.

I intend to fit it later this week. After that, a complete and immaculate Series 2 Berlina interior, including door trims, in black cloth, will be up for grabs. Anybody interested can pm me to discuss price. I will want it out of the garage pronto so price will be reasonable.

I'll be taking before and after pics and will post them when the job's done.

 

Hi Danja

Thought I might take a few shots during the swap-over as you suggest. Should be interesting to see how it comes up.

 

Hi Paul

$1215 on E-bay plus freight. I would have preferred black, but the light shale will go fine with the Martini car colour and the door trims are quite neatly done, with black uppers, shale leather inserts and light shale velour lower sections.

In addition, the glove box, console lower front trims and lower drivers side instrument panel are trimmed in the light shale velour, so it will look very different to the all black at present.

Photos will definitely be on once finished. I reckon on a full day to do the lot. There will be a couple of Calais features missing unfortunately. The driver's seat memory settings won't operate because that requires the top level BCM plus wiring changes and the door trims have lights in them which will require new sub-looms to be made up. At this stage, I don't know if the wiring for the door lamps is already installed in the Berlina up to the front door pillar, all pillars, or not at all. Bit of wiring chart checking coming up. (I suspect 88greenVN will advise on this matter too - he is very well versed in these things.)

As the pollies say, watch this space....

 

Well, yes, it's finally all in. Had some real fun getting the driver's seat electrical systems working but had success yesterday arvo.

I would post pics but the heavy rain we have been getting over the past two days means I can't get outside to take decent ones. With a bit of sun, I should be able to take some pics and post them.

I did take some pics during the fit out and have included them below. In particular, the two side sections of the rear seat backrest are a bit of a fiddle to get locked into their lugs on the bulkhead. I have a couple of pics showing the location on the bulkhead and the lugs on the rear of the seat. They were about the only fiddly thing involved in fitting the rear seat. You have to place the seat back section in place but about 50mm higher than its final spot, then slide it down the bulkhead until the two wire frames lock into the holes in the bulkhead. Then pull the seat down sufficiently to enable the single retaining bolt to be inserted on each side.

Pics of finished job to follow.

 

Yep, I anticipate having to include a thorough cleaning front and back at least monthly. I suppose that's what yours is?

 

OK, here are a few shots of the completed installation. I still have a few minor adjustments to carry out, but the power seats are both up and running, and the leather has been given a once over with cleaner and condition. More to follow though as some dirt is pretty old and stubborn.

I've also included a few pics of the original black cloth interior. The new stuff looks much smarter and less not oppressive like the old black. They are on the next post.

 

Now the old interior. Hope they come out alright.

 

Hi Big Ev

No real experience required because it's just a matter of swapping the whole shebang over - pull out the old trim and bolt in the replaceemnt. The only stuffing about concerns the electric seats. Mine was simple because I had previously electrified the passengers' seat controls, so the wiring was already in place. Installation took about three hours, including numerous drink breaks.

The interior was purchased from a mob called 4blok, who are frequent sellers on e-bay. They are a Commodore wreckers located in Mt. Gambier, Sth. Australia. Sorry, I don't have their link on me but they would be easy to locate by searching under "Holden Leather Interior" or "Commodore leather seats" - that was how I found them.

With a wagon, it is more difficult because wagons with leather trim were so rare - it was only optional on Berlina's in the VY and few people bothered with doing it to wagons - I think the Berlina International, a limited production model, had the shale trim like mine. The sedan seat is completely different. The cushion is fitted to the floor differently I think and the backrest on a sedan is in three sections, in the wagon only two.

 

I reckon the schoolkids around here would tag it while I wasn't looking........

 

Hi Danja

Nah, I reckon I've given myself enough work with the leather in shale - the carpet is spot on and I like it in black. Besides, there is still plenty of black trim with the Calais interior bits to maintain the colour combo as it is.