Dedra turbo H630 XGN

[frankxhv773t]

The problems with the headlamp wipers are that the wiper arms have too little purchase on the shaft out of the gearbox and the seal on that shaft lets water past so the gearbox fills with water and the gears rust into a solid lump. I've always thought any permanent fix would require remaking the gears out of a material that doesn't corrode, providing a drain for the gearbox and attaching the wiper arms more securely. That said, I do prefer the look of headlights with wipers.

If anyone wants to experiment I can supply parts to play with.

[Kevinlincs]

Sneaky preview... Haven't seen them in the flesh yet myself, collecting them tomorrow evening after work.
More pics and details then..

[Kevinlincs]

 Collected my refurbished seats tonight for the Dedra, over a year since I took them in but worth the wait I say!
Very 1980s feel to the centre pattern, which is very near to the OE material that was one them, some for sale last year confirmed that they were indeed originally not fully alcantara so must have been a rare choice. The centre material was listed as a FIAT material so not beyond the realms of possibility that it is a straight match..

[Kevinlincs]

The flash makes them look a bit blue but it's a grey background. All the material is new, plain alcantara on the side panels, perforated on the bolster sections and of  course the centre pieces.

[Kevinlincs]

The pattern is a thin yellow stripe forming a grid with a thicker blue then red line, left to right. Graham the trimmer took great care to line all seats the same, yellow line equidistant from the sides and the red/blue lines in the same order and following from the base to seat backs.
Double stitching either side of the thicker lines.

[Kevinlincs]

The headrests were a pita to do he said! They come apart down the centre and they needed stitching together from many small pieces, they look better than new now, all 4 of them!

[Kevinlincs]

Expensive in the end, but I'm very happy with the results. Everything was redone, arm rests too.
OK I could have had them done in leather for less money, but I'm not a big fan of leather. Either too hot or too cold, rarely are they nice to sit on!
My own slice of the 80s, can't wait to fit them and try them out.

[SanRemo78]

They look superb, fantastic work and I bet they'll look even better once they're bolted in place. The car must be almost done now?

[Kevinlincs]

They look superb, fantastic work and I bet they'll look even better once they're bolted in place. The car must be almost done now?

Yes, very pleased with them. For those who hadn't seen the old ones, what a transformation!
Jobs left to do? Carpet needs a good clean, hopefully it'll come up enough to not need dying. A few electrical gremlins to sort, abs light on for instance. A few bits to tidy up then it'll be off for mot.
Now I have the seats back I'm sure a trip to the National rally in the summer will be on.

[DavidLaver]

Your courage and patience rewarded with those seats.  They look gorgous.  Am now trying to remember what ours were...  It was a J reg dedra turbo, dark blue, grey alcantara but I can't remember if that was the whole seat or different middles.

[Kevinlincs]

Your courage and patience rewarded with those seats.  They look gorgous.  Am now trying to remember what ours were...  It was a J reg dedra turbo, dark blue, grey alcantara but I can't remember if that was the whole seat or different middles.

They do look splendid, I'll be sure to get out and about in it this year now.

Both of my old Dedra had full width Alcantara, indeed nobody seems to know of anything but full width. The theory was that mine must have already been trimmed, but Graham of Ragbag trimmers who did them insists they were factory cloth as they were made so poorly! Once he showed me what he meant I had to agree, mass machined with little care as to where the stitching went, no self respecting trimmer would ever do that he said. I thought maybe an amateur had attempted it, but I liked the look so thought I'd try and re-create it.
Last year I came across a set for sale on ebay which looked a dead ringer so it seems indeed there was a half Alcantara option.

I should get to fit them soon, a few other jobs to do first.

[frankxhv773t]

Half cloth, half Alcantara is definitely a factory thing as this Lancia publicity photo shows. I have a feeling it may have been standard on later models.

[Kevinlincs]

Fantastic Frank, just goes to confirm what we/Garham the trimmer said.
My new central material may not be an exact copy of the original, was listed as a Fiat Punto material, couldn't find a thing anywhere in Europe for Lancia material. This material came from a supplier in Denmark, a real PITA to import with all the duties and delays.
I'll take it all up to the unit tomorrow and store it in the integrale until I solve the ABS issue and tidy up the carpet before they go in the car.

[fay66]

Fantastic Frank, just goes to confirm what we/Garham the trimmer said.
My new central material may not be an exact copy of the original, was listed as a Fiat Punto material, couldn't find a thing anywhere in Europe for Lancia material. This material came from a supplier in Denmark, a real PITA to import with all the duties and delays.
I'll take it all up to the unit tomorrow and store it in the integrale until I solve the ABS issue and tidy up the carpet before they go in the car.

Although a lot of UK turbos had leather I think elsewhere cloth and alcatraz was in the majority.
If I remember correctly the piercing in the Alcantara was different to other Dedras as was the cloth material.
Looks magnificent,  and looking forward to seeing it sometime.
Brian

[Kevinlincs]

Aim is for the Sunday of the AGM if not before Brian, look forward to getting the car out.