I recall your car was probably one owned by CCSA member Phillipe Mortier some 20 years ago in Adelaide. Nice to see you're enjoying it. There is a great group of Citrophiles in SA cheers
Daphne: 1974 D Spécial purchased October 2016
- Thread starter MelanieYlang
- Start date
AN UPDATE, AND INVITATION TO DISCUSS SEAT COVERS
It has been a shockingly long time between posts here. Daphne is still in my garage, being driven infrequently but mostly loved. I still live in fear of a LHM blowout, or some horrible Citroen problem which will spell The End in a financially-frustrating fashion.
Occasionally I mutter about selling her, but we all know that selling cars is far less fun than buying them. Other mutterings include taking her to a specialist workshop for a proper mechanical assessment. To her credit, she never refuses to go out, and has never stranded me. Last weekend she had an outing to a local beauty spot (as in, spot the DS).
I'm back on the subject of upholstery improvement. The universal seat covers have done a valiant job under light wear for 6 years, my ideas of having the seats retrimmed locally have come to naught, and the concern about the parts car seats being mouldy (mould very bad for humans) scared me off trying to use them.
It looks like getting the repro covers shipped from der Franzose or Citroen Pieces is best value and a reliable method.
QUESTIONS:
Is this the right match for my 1974 DSpecial? https://www.franzose.de/en/Citroen-DS-11CV-HY/DS/Komplette-Sitzbezuege-Saetze-/ANR38354/
Do the original seat coverings have to be removed to fit these?
Should I get the local auto trimmer to fit them, or is it a job for home?
It has been a shockingly long time between posts here. Daphne is still in my garage, being driven infrequently but mostly loved. I still live in fear of a LHM blowout, or some horrible Citroen problem which will spell The End in a financially-frustrating fashion.
Occasionally I mutter about selling her, but we all know that selling cars is far less fun than buying them. Other mutterings include taking her to a specialist workshop for a proper mechanical assessment. To her credit, she never refuses to go out, and has never stranded me. Last weekend she had an outing to a local beauty spot (as in, spot the DS).
I'm back on the subject of upholstery improvement. The universal seat covers have done a valiant job under light wear for 6 years, my ideas of having the seats retrimmed locally have come to naught, and the concern about the parts car seats being mouldy (mould very bad for humans) scared me off trying to use them.
It looks like getting the repro covers shipped from der Franzose or Citroen Pieces is best value and a reliable method.
QUESTIONS:
Is this the right match for my 1974 DSpecial? https://www.franzose.de/en/Citroen-DS-11CV-HY/DS/Komplette-Sitzbezuege-Saetze-/ANR38354/
Do the original seat coverings have to be removed to fit these?
Should I get the local auto trimmer to fit them, or is it a job for home?
Long story short: no headrests. (There's been a bit of discussion about that earlier in this thread.)
Sounds like a doable project for me, if I get stuck I can ask the auto trimmer to help with the rest.
You only asked this five years ago, but yes, Jerome's dad is Guy who at one time tried to sell me a CX and an ID (above my pay grade at the time). Daphne must be a later project than the Peugeot 403 Jerome restored as a learner driver.
It’s very doable. Watch some YouTube on doing upholstery. It’s easier than it looks. You’ll need glue and hog rings and hog ring pliers. Not expensive. Must take seat out though
There's also a Wheeler Dealers episode where Edd replaces the covers on a DS.
I haven't done my DS but I've done plenty of other cars, a garbage bag over the backrest makes it easier to pull the new cover down over the foam.
I haven't done my DS but I've done plenty of other cars, a garbage bag over the backrest makes it easier to pull the new cover down over the foam.
a more comfortable option in "jersey" material which would be correct for your car could be -
citroends.net
then your door cards would need to redone too if you're being pedantically original.
Seat covers ID-DS print-pattern "bleu pétrole" 1973-'75, set front and rear
<p>Passgenaue Sitzbezüge für DS Comfort, DSuper NonPallas mit Waffelmuster blau-grün (Petrole). Original in Modelljahren 1973-'75. <strong>Lieferzeit ca. 2 Wochen.</strong></p>
citroends.net
You’ll probably find the velour more comfortable as it won’t get searing hot or freezing cold like the vinyl does.
The covers are pretty easy to fit.l and definitely a DIY job. Do one seat at a time so you have a reference of how it goes together.
Be prepared to add some extra foam as the new covers tend to be cut a little bigger than the old ones. As Peter said you’ll also need hog rings and their pliers bulldog clips are also a handy way to temporarily hold everything in place while you adjust the fit.
The worse part is putting the back piece back onto the frames. There’s no way to tell where the screw holes in the seat frame are and It takes a silly amount of force to bend it enough for the screw holes to line up. Two people and lots of choice words help.
The covers are pretty easy to fit.l and definitely a DIY job. Do one seat at a time so you have a reference of how it goes together.
Be prepared to add some extra foam as the new covers tend to be cut a little bigger than the old ones. As Peter said you’ll also need hog rings and their pliers bulldog clips are also a handy way to temporarily hold everything in place while you adjust the fit.
The worse part is putting the back piece back onto the frames. There’s no way to tell where the screw holes in the seat frame are and It takes a silly amount of force to bend it enough for the screw holes to line up. Two people and lots of choice words help.
The last few upholstery jobs I've done I've started using cable ties instead of hog rings. I just get them all started then cinch them up a bit at a time until I'm happy with how the covers are sitting. Works for me.
Same same. AsThe last few upholstery jobs I've done I've started using cable ties instead of hog rings. I just get them all started then cinch them up a bit at a time until I'm happy with how the covers are sitting. Works for me.
done on 203 early front seat.
I do like this suggestion!The last few upholstery jobs I've done I've started using cable ties instead of hog rings. I just get them all started then cinch them up a bit at a time until I'm happy with how the covers are sitting. Works for me.
If you go that route make sure you buy brand name ties. The cable ties at the $1 shops tend to be pretty poor quality.
If its any help, I found the correct colour seat covers for my 1972 D Special here : www.citro-classique.nl
They also can supply right hand drive floor mat sets.
I did not try to fit them myself as I found it hard to get the tensions right.
They also can supply right hand drive floor mat sets.
I did not try to fit them myself as I found it hard to get the tensions right.
Attachments
Thank you @Greenpeace so much for the cable tie suggestion!The last few upholstery jobs I've done I've started using cable ties instead of hog rings. I just get them all started then cinch them up a bit at a time until I'm happy with how the covers are sitting. Works for me.
I just fitted covers to DSpecial seats and the ties work well. As you said they allow you to cinch the covers progressively into place.
Have you folk tried the stainless steel cable ties for this purpose?
I haven't, I've only used good quality nylon ones, I haven't broken one yet.
Stainless are a bit $$, and may be a bit of overkill strength wise? They could potentially slice into the vinyl as well?
Sharpish edges, yes. Strong? Very. Horses for courses eh, if the nylon ones behave. The SS ones certainly cost more, but I've just ordered a new roof lining for the R8 and they are trivial in comparison with THAT!
They hold part of my daughter's chicken run fence together! Good in the sun, of course.