I hope the title of this thread is "eye catching" shall we say...

I'm installing a new and updated audio system in my '96 VDP. The Harman Kardon was just getting old and not sounding particularly "dynamic". I can use some of the factory harness and will have to bypass parts of it. I have to run some wires under the carpet and this is where things may get "sick and twisted". The carpet in my car is dirty (vacuuming goes just so far) and badly faded, the leather is faded as well and the finish on the veneer is yellow and cracked and the veneer on the front doors is cracked right through. Hot and sunny Tampa Bay has taken its toll on my car's cosmetics. I am seriously considering pulling the seats and carpet, scubbing the carpet and re-dyeing it and the faded leather. The piping on the front passenger seat has one crack in it and the leather is good. The driver's seat needs to have the piping replaced and the outside bolster replaced. I can refinish and reveneer the wood. So as we can see a simple stereo install is turning into a major interior restoration... Should I have my head examined...?

 

Simple answer: No mate, you're perfectly fine! If you believe the car is worth an audio system update, then it is deffinitely worth doing such a cosmetic (even though quite extended) jobs as upholstery. And if you can do all the jobs yourself, it's even better and I stick up with you! I can't wait to get my hands on my Jag again, even though I don't really want my holiday to end

 

Thank you for the encouragement Firecrow. It's been a long time since I've been called "mate" by one of your countrymen.

Ipswitch, UK; I've been to Ipswitch, Massachusetts north of Cape Ann.
Really a beautiful town - a lot of "the beautiful people"...

I see you have the same problem in the U.K. that I had in Massachusetts with road salt; it just eats cars up.

I moved to Florida and I drive my Vanden Plas and my '95 XJS convertible year round and with no rust!

 

No such thing as doing too much on the car you love, one thing you might consider is trying to find a car being parted out with a good interior or parts car. I saw one on eBay yesterday the guy says the body, interior, and mechanics are good but he doesn't have a title for it.

 

Why waste upgrade funds? Any JF veteran can confirm your suspicions ... you own a Jaguar

 

Thank you mates!

 

I believe seat restoration should be the last thing done on a check list. If you don't have any problems besides the new radio, then why not. How much is it to get seats redone anyhow?