Reparing Top, Replacing Upholstery

[82Wabbit]

The trim around the edge of my 82 convertible top is coming apart, threads gone. My body shop has recommended someone in town, does a lot of boats and some convertibles, but I'm wondering if it is just smarter to replace the top. I do have one quarter size hole along the edge at one of the bend points, so it's not like the top is perfect, even though it looks very nice.

Any recommendations of companies to buy upholstery from. All the seats need replaced. Would love to have same pattern as original if possible (white with powder blue stripes), but just need new fabric so will take what's out there, as long as it is good and good fit.

Any suggestions appreciate.

[briano1234]

TMT manufacturing... for the interior, they can match up the interior..but you may have to email them.

topsonline.com Just have it replaced as you will be 5-9 years from doing it again.

[jettncab]

Replace the top. In the long run it's not worth trying to repair.

For interior: TMI upholstery from M&T Mfg. http://www.mtmfg.com/ . They also sell Robbins vinyl tops, which are exactly like the originals. So, one-stop shopping.

The interior of your car was originally white with black pinstripes:



That cloth has long been unavailable, I'm afraid.

[82Wabbit]

Great info, Thanks!

If the inside liner of my convertible top looks good, should I just replace the outer? Trying to save some money, but don't want to have to rework it a few years from now.

[briano1234]

If the headliner is just dirty there is no need to replace it, it can be cleaned. If it is cut shreaded or torn, then replacing it is an option... I don't change them if they are dirty. Trust me when I say I have replaced a few.

[jettncab]

If the inside liner of my convertible top looks good, should I just replace the outer? Trying to save some money, but don't want to have to rework it a few years from now.

If it's just dirty, get some Mr. Clean Magic Erasers; they work wonders.

You'll want to check the condition of the insulation layer, however. Put the top up/down halfway and take a peek inside. If it appears to be falling apart, now would be the time to replace it.

[82Wabbit]

Replace the top. In the long run it's not worth trying to repair.

For interior: TMI upholstery from M&T Mfg. http://www.mtmfg.com/ . They also sell Robbins vinyl tops, which are exactly like the originals. So, one-stop shopping.

The interior of your car was originally white with black pinstripes:



That cloth has long been unavailable, I'm afraid.

Interesting! My rabbit has the stripes on the seats running vertical, not horizontal. Maybe they were aftermarket replacements. The door panels are the same as mine though.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

[jettncab]

Interesting! My rabbit has the stripes on the seats running vertical, not horizontal. Maybe they were aftermarket replacements.

Most definitely aftermarket (or, if the seats look like this, they came out of an '86/'87 Best Seller model). The 1983 and 1984 Wolfsburg Edition Rabbit Convertibles came with the interior pictured. It's rare to find that interior, along with its navy blue and black counterparts, in good shape. A good majority are in shreds or have been reupholstered.

[82Wabbit]

Hmmm, that's not it either. The stripes on my rear seats is much closer together and the fabric goes all the way over the top. I'll try and get a picture and post it here.

I was actually thinking of having someone just redo the cloth parts of the seats with a large black, grey and white plaid, similar to the size like this:



My door panels need to be replaced as they are cracking. Is there any company who makes these that could use my fabrics for the cloth part of the door panel?

Thanks for the info.

[82Wabbit]

Interesting! My rabbit has the stripes on the seats running vertical, not horizontal. Maybe they were aftermarket replacements. The door panels are the same as mine though.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!!

I stand corrected, I do have horizontal striping on my seats, but the rear seat stile is not like what you have pictured. Fabric goes all the way to top and over to back in the middle of each seat.

[jettncab]

I stand corrected, I do have horizontal striping on my seats, but the rear seat stile is not like what you have pictured. Fabric goes all the way to top and over to back in the middle of each seat.

Because up through 1983, the rear seat cushion and seat back were solid, not "split".

http://www.cabby-info.com/Files/Broc...itBrochure.pdf