Late last year we trimmed a rather nice Saab 96. Here's a few random photos I've [Louis] just found on my  phone.

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Sometimes we just like to do things the way Volkswagen intended, so it was great when we were brought some very grubby Mk1 Golf GTI seats to do just that.

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Mk1 Golf seem to be like buses. We can't remember the last time we worked on one and then we do 2 within a matter of weeks.

First up are the seats from a Mk1 Cabriolet. As well as trimming all the seats and panels in burgundy leather, we modifed the faux rear split seat to look like a single bench, and had to do lots of repairs the bolsters.

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A pair of Range Rover seats trimmed in black leather with Golf Gti plaid inserts for Iain at iKustom's slammed air ride T5

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Back in early february, we had the pleasure of a visit from Volkswagen Classic (Germany) while they were on their "Round Britain In A Camper" trip.

Hidden away in a backyard are the workshops of Bernard Newbury Auto Interiors; just a little sign alludes to their existence. You would have to be well known to be found here. Both Newburys – Bernard and his son Louis, who warmly welcomed us – are just that; known throughout the country.

In the workshop, materials, covers, seats and upholstery make it clear what kind of work goes on here on a daily basis: the Newbury's profession is to restore, trim or completely redesign the interior of classic Volkswagens. The walls are adorned with pictures and magazine covers of award-winning Beetles and Karmann Ghias; there are several shelves filled with trophies, many of them carrying the title ‘Best of Show' or ‘Best Interior' – we are clearly in the company of professionals here, who have enjoyed many years of success.
 
It all began with Bernard's passion for racing cars. When he was unable to find anybody to design his car the way he wanted it, he got to work himself. From 1970 his skills enabled him to stand on his own two feet professionally; from 1986 it turned into a family business when Bernard's son Louis began working with him, bringing with him his personal passion for Volkswagens. ‘In the 24 years that I have been driving, I have only owned Volkswagens, with two exceptions,' says Louis, and begins to list them: they include the first four Golf generations, campers, the Jetta II, Polo II, Caddy, Type 181, Karmann Ghia Squareback and numerous Beetles. Then he adds with a smile: ‘I like the reliable German engineering!'
 
Louis' first Beetle – bought for £60 – was the start of his career. Louis radically overhauled it and, together with his father, designed it how he wanted it. The 1967 bright yellow Beetle, with matching interior, was christened ‘No Lemon' and it aroused a great deal of interest in the popular British magazine VolksWorld. The foundations for specialising in Volkswagens were in place. So, in Louis' opinion, what is so special about Volkswagens? ‘They are such distinctive vehicles. I like their classic looks – the Beetle in particular has a unique shape like no other car.' What we'd like to know is, if he likes the classic look so much, will he only restore the cars in keeping with their original look? No, he goes along with the wishes of the customer: ‘They can have it however they want it; there is absolutely no dogma!' It's also a case of always looking at what you're starting out with: when restoring or renovating a well-kept car, he prefers to stick as close as he can to the original. However, when he is presented with a ‘rusty old Beetle', it is quite possible for him do it up in any way he sees fit.

Most of the vehicles that end up in Louis and Bernard's workshop are Beetles and Campers, followed by Karmann Ghias, and occasionally a Golf I or similar. The number of water-cooled models is rising, yet the focus remains on air-cooled vehicles. What do the customers ask for? What is feasible? ‘At the end of the day, we can do anything; it all depends on the budget.' They offer everything, from new upholstery for the seats to a complete makeover. The professionals from Leigh-on-Sea are never bored: ‘We do an average of 12 full interiors a year, plus other seat retrims, carpets and head linings in between.' The various fixtures and fittings are mostly agreed upon in collaboration with the customer; the colours, materials and details are individually put together. Do you see any kind of trend? ‘Yes, they want them more like the originals. They would rather have them restored than customised, because the classic cars are becoming ever rarer.' Just like the current vehicle they are working on, a 1956 ‘Karmann Kabriolett', on which the side panels and floor mats are being replaced and the seats somewhat overhauled.

The interior can present a real challenge, especially on very old and original cars. In contrast, newer cars are cleaner. ‘You have no idea how much life you can find under the panelling of a classic vehicle; unbelievable … !' laughs Louis. ‘But when the cars turn out really good and even impress people at shows, then it makes you proud – and very satisfied.'

The Newburys can be thoroughly satisfied, because they have enjoyed an excellent reputation on the Volkswagen scene and in the industry in general for many years. And Bernard and Louis want to continue to live up to that reputation every time. ‘When Beetle drivers acknowledge each other on the road, it is apparent that classic Volkswagens are just a whole lot of fun – and we want to keep it that way.'

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Back in the summer we converted a T5 panel van into a luxury day van which was featured in Ultra VW. Well, not long after, it was sold on to make way for a new project. What was even more suprising is that the new owner, DJ John '00' Fleming, brought it back to us for some more work. He wanted us to take out the rear triple seat and replace it with 2 Porsche tombstones and a small sleeping area. As well as this, he wanted a heater, fridge, table and a smaller cupboard fitted. We also had to fabricate the seat frames so they tilted forward to access the sleeping area.

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More fat biscuit action with Nigel Fleet's stunning '58 ragtop. Orginal front seats and door panels trimmed in beige pvc with beige cloth inserts. The rear seat has been omitted for that slick race look. 1200 style headlining and ragtop inner in beige West Of England wool cloth with black Mohair ragtop outer. Oatmeal square weave carpet completes the overal look.

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Stock seats and door panels trimmed in cream leather with beige pipping and polished aluminium door panel trims . Carperts, parcel shelf and under bonnet in beige square weave. Headlining and ragtop inner in beige West Of England wool cloth. The glove box is custom trimmed in matching West Of England to house the stereo head unit, and the parcel shelf features hidden speakers trimmed in beige speaker cloth.

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Beard Super Seats trimmed in tan leather, brown piping and fat biscuit cloth inserts. Rear seat and door panels have matching leather and fat biscuit cloth combination. Oatmeal square weave carpet throughout with herringbone cloth binding. West of England cloth takes care of the full headlining and ragtop inner, while the ragtop outer is finished in black mohair.

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Feautred in this months Ultra VW, Gordon Chrystie's luxury T5 day van was brought to us as a bare panel van with just a set of Audi A8 seats.
We set about soundproofing throughout with Dynamat, then making the interior panels from birch faced ply with sculptured inserts. This was then trimmed along with the headlining with black tweed after we had laid all the wiring and electrical work for the split charging system, 240-volt hookup, 12 & 240-volt sockets throughout the van, 12-volt halogen down lighting, LED mood lighting and hidden speakers for the 24-inch LCD TV/DVD screen. 2 tone grey leather features on the retrimmed Audi seats up front, a retrimmed T4 Caravelle seat in the rear, headlining centre panel and rear over head speaker & down lighting box. This is finished off with a Piano-black gloss cabinet and black Wilton carpet through out.

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Trimmed to match the original rear seats in genuine hide direct from Recaro's supplier in Austria.

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Just a couple of the Nostalgia Bugs at EBI 4 this weekend in Chimay, Belgium that we've worked on.

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A couple of recent magazine articles have acknowledged that trimming is an unappreciated dying art that requires extreme skill. None more so than hand fitting a seat from scratch with just a fibreglass shell without any patterns.

Below is a step by step pictorial of a race seat we've recently made with the brief being the cover must be removable. To be honest, we're not a massive fan of removable covers as a lot we've seen look like a sack of potatoes. But with a bit of skill and a lot of time & effort, you can get a cover that looks just as good as a fitted one.

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2. A paper pattern is made of the base and upright cushion, then transferred to 1" foam

3. The foam is inserted into the fibreglass shell to make sure it fits correctly

4. Vinyl fabric is laminated to 1/2" scrim backed foam, deep fluted, cut to the same size as the 1" foam cushions and sewn together

5. Using off cuts of left over fabric we have in stock, a pattern is made for the wings of the seat by marking out, cutting and sewing many times and until it fits correctly.

6. Once the pattern is right, it's taken apart marked out on the material of choice, sewn together and offered up to the seat for final fitting

7. The completed cover ready for fitting where...

8. ...Durable dot fasteners are used all round to hold it in place.

9. The cover fitted ready for some 1/4 mile action

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It's not often you see a Wizzard Roadster these days. The owners have had this for nearly 20 years and have taken the last 10 years restoring it. We were given the task of putting the finising touches in terms of fitting it back up and trimming it.The interior features hand fitted bucket seats in Burgundy Brookland UK Hide plus matching rear rear seat & door panels, with hand fitted carpets in grey square weave through out.

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T25 camper van dash in electric blue Alcantara®, with door panels and rear cushions in matching Alcantara® & black PVC vinyl.

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Here’s Phil Slade’s New Beetle that we’ve recently worked on. We have remodelled Golf Mk4 Recaros for the front and the standard rear seat in raspberry PVC. We have also trimmed and smoothed out the front and rear door panel inserts to match, with old school Beetle type map pockets and custom made rear speaker grills to compliment the raspberry vinyl. Other touches include matching armrest, gearshift gator, front grab handle and seat belt buckle covers. Phil has done some great detailing through out the car including carbon fibre skinning many of the plastic seat and dash parts.

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Photos courtesy of Beakersblog (beakersblog.tumblr.com) & Phil Slade (phil74.tumblr.com)

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Another one of Louis' rides. Converted from an old van, we trimmed this using genuine caravelle seats & panels in grey vinyl & tweed through out. Subtle mods on the outside included lowering, debadged front grill & rear tailgate, clear lenses all round and moon discs

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This was Louis' VW Caddy Mini Truck that we built during the spring of 1994. Some trick features included shaved door handles, smoothed out rear end with custom rear lights, one piece windows and BMW 3 series electric wing mirrors. It went on to win Best Watercooled at Bug Jam, the same year, and was featured in Street Machine & Super VW a year later.

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These seats and panels are to be fitted in the ex Race Shop Double Cab, the latest rebuild of Russell Ritchie. They have been trimmed as close as possible to original with photos and contact with Darrell Vitone. They are finished in black basket weave with borders and panels in plain black PVC.

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