There is a guy in Texas who makes seat covers for Jaguar cars in either leather or vinyl with custom cut foams, if anybody needs help with covers; Here's a sample of his MK-2 covers and foam:

 

That looks very good Jose & more supportive for a Mk2.

 

Can you provide how to contact him?

Thanks
jjsandsms

 

yes, his name is Wilson Campbell Watson
​​​​email: wilsonwatson124@gmail.com

he quoted me a very reasonable price for the two front seat covers and new foams for my S type in Leatherette vinyl ( I don't want anything to do with leather anymore). $650.00

 

Thanks for the info.

I actually agree on the leather to a degree as I see you also live in FL I have been looking for old trashed seat covers for my MK2 so I can sew up my own custom covers. I really am leaning on a combination of vinyl, velour, and a matching English tweed for the pleated inserts. Yes I know its not original, but my car is already a Frankenstein, and it is my car! So that what I may do in the future. Plus not going leather will help the pocket book.

A tweed material something like this


and using velour as the surround and vinyl on the door cards, console etc. Here is a velour I might consider, of course with matching colors




Thanks
jjsandsms

 

Yuk on the velour. Looks bloody terrible. Vinyl is OK and miles cheaper than leather and it lasts longer.
Both my MK1 and MK2 have vinyl seats and look OK.
I have seen a number of MK2 deceased estate cars with velour and cloth trim inserts and the immediate reaction of potential buyers is the seats need re- trimming.
Stay with the basic trim system.

 

Yea maybe I relax with the velour and use vinyl (or maybe leather) as the surround, but I'm still leaning on the cloth inserts, as once done, I don't plan on selling the car, so the next guy can change it if he wants.

I do appreciate the comments.

Thanks
jjs and sms

 

It's actually interesting. I love the smell of wood & leather in a Jag but I digress.

My Dad was Purchasing Director for the Cape Town City Tramway Company & their sister operation Golden Arrow Bus Services. They also owned Springbok Atlas Safari's.

We all accept that Ambla can be neglected and is as tough as all hell.

But the bus companies found that Connolly hide which was cleaned and treated every night for the next day of operation unless it was a long distance coach actually outlasted Ambla in bus service. But of course this was due to endless care. They used to buy a mountain of whole hides from Connolly.

 

Corduroy would look nice too. Trouble with leather is that it is magnificent while it is new, but in the USA it does not last, starts cracking, varicose veins all over regardless of cold or hot weather.

I found a set of vinyl-covered XJ seats and bought them for my XJ-6, couldn't be happier, the original leather seats were coming undone, except the vinyl sides and backs which are still like new. If anybody needs them, I will sell them cheap.

The front leather seats in my S type are "ok" but look tired and flattened. The rear seat is like new.
Enter Leatherette, a vinyl look alike material.

Watson sent me pictures of E type Series 1 seats he did. Very nice job.

 

South Africa actually supplies 70% of the leather used by BMW & Mercedes Benz. If looked after it still looks as new after 20 years. No cracks or creases.

 

But leather is a product that we know how to make for harsh climates.

 

I have the original Black Ambla seats in my S type. People comment on them thinking they are leather seats. They look as new even after 55 years. No wear or cracks. I have had to change the foams in the seats but the covers are superb. I have never seen a 55 year old leather look as good as my Ambla seats but if I had the choice now, if I needed new seats I would go for leather and keep the originality that Jaguar intended but that is my car.

 

Ambla is tough stuff Rob. Mercedes make a faux leather called Artico leather. (colloquially known as Taxileder) They stitch it just like they do their real leather and it too is as tough as all hell. (used to be known as MB-Tex).

 

these are E type seat covers that Watson did; Just look at that recliner mechanism.

 

I agree with Glyn, if you maintain it leather survives better than anything. Even when neglected, it can often be brought back so long as there are no serious breaks or cuts, though it's not always easy. The surface treatments of car leather are resistant to the point of being almost impenetrable and make maintenance and restoration more difficult. Ambla was very good, I fear that many of the synthetic materials that have arrived since may not last as well. The formulations are probably limited by safety rules especially for flammability.

 

My previous V6 Merc in the hands of a friend now at 20 years old ~ front seat SA leather.

 

I am aware of your search. Several leads didn't produce anything in my own search as you know. Everybody wants to sell the car, not the seat covers. In the Orlando area there is nothing, not even classic Jags.

 

I love the way the original leather ages, cracks and all. But I'm a weirdo I guess. Wish my 420 had original leather, but it's nice.

However a classic Scottish plaid would look pretty damn cool. (again, weirdo)

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

That's me!