Volumex cloth reproduction

[chrisc]

Hi all,
  I'm in the early stages of figuring out how to get the VX cloth remade and have enough promising leads and dependencies sorted now to start gauging interest.

If you're interested, please shout here for how much you're after (working estimate is 7 - 9m for a full interior) and I'll keep all informed here.

Working estimate for pricing is around £redacted/m - hopefully less but plan on that.

Cheers
Chris

[WestonE]

Hi Chris

I am up for this.

Eric

[mangocrazy]

Pardon my ignorance, but do you have any photos of the VX pattern cloth? I'm certainly interested as I'd very much like to replace the black plastic interior of my Spider with cloth.

[SanRemo78]

check the link on post 14 of this thread
http://www.betaboyz.myzen.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4390.0
 or this link
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/320248223501528725/
Guy

[mangocrazy]

I assume this is the fabric we're talking about?

https://www.gsfricambi.it/prodotto/tessuto-lancia-beta-volumex/

If so, count me in. That looks very classy and would suit my light blue metallic Spider perfectly.

[WestonE]

Hi Graham

That is exactly the fabric and what I have in a faded and well used form on my 2 VX coupe interiors. For now without enough fabric to re-trim in a matched way I will fit the best I have. I am lucky my VX coupe seats still have the map pockets on the back with the Zegna logo tag. Normally these are the first thing to disappear as the fabric is used to repair the bolsters.

I have 2 sets of door cards made in Plywood ready for finding a suitable fabric. I looked at the Gamma L fabric in dark blue, but that is also special order from the Gamma owners group only when they have enough interest. The VX coupe fabric makes the interior special for me so I set out from the start to use that.

Eric   

[mangocrazy]

Thanks Eric. In that case I'd be in for enough cloth to re-trim the entire interior of my Spider, including door cards, headlining, seats and detachable roof panel.

[WestonE]

Hi Graham

I am re-trimming the Headlining in black perforated like the original. It is made but not yet fitted. I have also gone for sound cloth over 4mm non porous foam for the spider roofs to reduce noise from the roof. I prefer the contrast and think the heavy pattern over head will be too much, but it is a free world and variety is the joy of Lancia ownership.

Eric

[mangocrazy]

Hi Eric,

Just musing aloud really - when I finally get round to it I'll probably change my mind again.    But if and when this group buy takes off, I'll make sure I get enough cloth to cover all eventualities.

Cheers,

Graham

[chrisc]

Hi all, had some positive comms today, will update with progress.

Possibly might even be able to achieve an improvement on the original - matching the pattern / colour but adding durability. Will keep you all updated here

[WestonE]

Excellent I am looking forward to hearing more.

[chrisc]

Next update will be in a month or so when I should have some example swatches in different weights / base material to assess colour match / durability / pliability.

[Martin D]

Hello Chris,

I'm up for some cloth, definitely want enough for both front seats, the rest of my interior is good so may not want to go to the hassle of re-upholstering everything but may reconsider ().

Thanks Eric for the heads up !

Martin.

[WestonE]

Hi Martin

Please you made it here. FYI you want a car's worth because yours will be faded and brittle in places and it will show. The trimming cost is mostly in the front seats because they are most complex.

Eric 

[chrisc]

Hi all,
  latest update is that a first test piece has been made. I've not seen it yet, will do soon. I've been advised that it's looking promising but not quite ready yet, and that it normally takes a couple of goes to get it right.

Super exciting, I'll post up a picture of the test piece next to some original cloth so you can see how the first draft (emphasis on draft) is looking

Chris

[WestonE]

Fantastic and yes I am excited

[chrisc]

Test piece arrived today as the first go at getting the colours + patterns right. 1 pattern, 4 different colour choices



The piece of original cloth I've chucked over the top for comparison is pretty faded (the supplier is using a much much better piece as the start point), but it forms a useful basis for comparison.

With this being the first test run I'm really pleased with the results. I think we have a colour match in there, certainly can downselect to 2 choices

2 improvements to the pattern for the next test run -

• Getting the alternating stripes width within the rectangle pattern right. At the moment this has the effect of making the pattern not look dark or light enough, but it's the pattern not the colours if you see what I mean
• Getting the rectangle size right

Another 2 weeks or so for the next test run
Chris

[WestonE]

Hi Chris

Good progress, but as you say the light to dark contrast is off looking at the non faded OE fabric edge. I look forward to more progress.

Thank you

Eric

[rossocorsa]

The samples look to have a square pattern but the VX Cloth is at least to my eyes actually rectangular, the contrast is definitely not sufficient but for a first attempt it's not at all bad.

[frankxhv773t]

Out of curiosity more than anything else I wonder if cloth patterns are copyrighted. I seem to remember the chequered Volumex cloth being proudly proclaimed as being by the fashion house Zegna.