When I first purchased the E-Type the interior was not too bad, in fact it was quite passable if you didn't look too close. However, with the exterior refurbished and the under bonnet rebuild underway I soon realised that the interior needed to be brought up to the same standard. So, everything was stripped from the interior and another aspect of the ever expanding project was undertaken.
Photo Gallery - Interior refurbishment
I retrimmed the interior myself, with the exception of the seats which were still in very good condition.
The boot floor was completely carpeted, rather than covered in vinyl as it was when it originally left the factory.
After market front retractor seat belts were ordered in the required length.
The new belts fitted through the original factory slot in the side trim.
Original Jag mounts were used to install new retractor belts neatly inside the "B" pillar cavity.
The inertia reel retractable belts fitted very neatly and look like factory units.
I purchased a roll of plush English carpet and made a complete set of carpets to suit. Local trimmer edged them in vinyl following the original factory style.
Inner sills were carpeted for a classier and more durable finish than the original factory vinyl covering.
Original dash and steering wheel upgraded to a quality more befitting a Jaguar sports car.
Centre dash upgraded from black vinyl to timber and steering wheel form black leather to timber. Shift handle originally black plastic.
New ply floor sections for the boot were carpeted. The carpet edges were stiched with vinyl and then glued to the ply. The vinyl was then rolled over the edges and glued to the underside of the boards.
My own sound, heat and moisture barrier. A moisture resistant sound insulation foam with top surface glued to a silver heat protection layer, followed by rubber.
The underside of the roof and sunroof were thoroughly cleaned and rust proofed, then fitted with sound insulation.
Testing the colour. Seats were in good condition. Stripped the leather dye and applied Leatherique water based dye, colour matched to new vinyl.
Seat to left refinished with Leatherique dye and seat to right is the colour of the original leather used to retrim seats some time previously. The bright red is nowhere near original colour but new dye on left is much closer.
Rear seat was still original. Here the dye has been removed ready for the Leatherique dye.
Original laether rear seat redyed and looking like new again.
New door trim with backing boards from 3mm MDF, padded with foam and then fitted with new vinyl covers. Everything matched very well and looked like the factory intended.
Original radio replaced with stereo CD. New mounting panel from mild steel and covered with black vinyl. Speakers mounted on the outside as they were too large to be mounted inside like factory originals.
The new mounting panel and speakers. This worked well and fitted neatly.
Just some of the many trim parts that make up the interior of the E-Type. I retrimmed nearly everything that was originally vinyl.
Possibly the most difficult pieces to do, these made up the rear quarter window lower trim. From the top, LH mild steel backing, foam form, chrome mould & vinyl ready to be fitted together. Completed RH trim at bottom.
Start of new quarter trims. Difficult to fit and get the curves right Original trim used as pattern.
New trims fabricated and fitted. Note the extra insulation around the inner wheelarch and floor.
