Elan's Hartge Restoration

[elan]

Thanks for your comments Iain. Family comes first (even before E30s) so hopefully it's nothing serious.

Its good that Birds still have some records of the old builds. Hence the reason I took the car in to Birds for some work.

It's still got a fair way to go before I am happy with it and you guys can see it in the flesh! The interior being the main one now.

[elan]

The leather retrim is almost completed and the car is nearly there. I still have a few bit to do to finish the car. The weather was nice so I took it for drive with the roof down properly for the first time

[Gert_8]

That's lovely!!

[Blitz]

Any more pics of the the interior?

[elan]

Thanks Gert, first time I have been almost happy with car!

Blitz, I haven't taken many interior pics as iPhone is pretty useless. I will upload a few but not great quality. I am really happy with junior's work. He is very experienced and takes his time but the result are great.

[Gavla]

That retrim is awesome...who? and how much? Your car is looking great!!

[baggimodo]

Stunning.

[KW355]

That's a lovely car in a fantastic colour combination.

[elan]

Thanks for the nice comments guys.

I took a while to decide on the retrim and looked at a few companies but decide to go with Junior Grant based in Essex. I also had a few set of cardinal red seats offered to me but most were in pretty poor condition hence the retrim route. I liked the fact he is a small outfit working by himself.

Junior is an older gentlemen with lot of experience. He takes his time to do the work and doesn't rush, so probably not suited for the impatient. On my seats he repaired the damaged foam and added additional material to make it comfortable as much as it looks good. He also cleaned the plastics, cleaned rusted metal frames and changed wires inside etc. I bought a spare set of seats and he retrimmed the seats, head rests, door cards, handles, door shelves, speaker cover and horse shoe. His prices start around £1200 for seats, £800 for doorcards and £80 each per door for handles & shelves. Mine cost fair bit more!!

I have gone on a bit! I am not sure if he wants his number plastered here so if you are really interested then PM me and I will pass his contact details.

I am planning to do the centre console and the dash in black leather next

[Strugs]

Cracking resto!

That uberkaro cloth driver's seat you had, has that been re-trimmed in the leather? Was the cloth that came off any good?

[grey_andy]

Amazing work mate! Massive fan of the Hartge cars

[elan]

Cracking resto!

That uberkaro cloth driver's seat you had, has that been re-trimmed in the leather? Was the cloth that came off any good?

The cloth seat was fitted by the garage as a temporary stop gap and they took the seat back. If you do need cloth from seat, I can check with the retrim place.

Amazing work mate! Massive fan of the Hartge cars

Thanks, me too.

[Demlotcrew]

Nice trim!!! Who did it?

[daboy3000]

Looking really nice mate. Very jealous, I am right at the beginning of my restoration project and I think it's going to be 2-3 years before its finished!

[elan]

Nice trim!!! Who did it?

Thanks, it was done by Junior Grant, more details further up.

Looking really nice mate. Very jealous, I am right at the beginning of my restoration project and I think it's going to be 2-3 years before its finished!

It has taken me 18 months to get to this stage (still not finished) and work mostly done by garage. I am sure you will get there in the end and it will be worth the effort!

[Demlotcrew]

Thanks.

[Strugs]

Cracking resto!

That uberkaro cloth driver's seat you had, has that been re-trimmed in the leather? Was the cloth that came off any good?

The cloth seat was fitted by the garage as a temporary stop gap and they took the seat back. If you do need cloth from seat, I can check with the retrim place.

It was specifically the uberkaro I'm after, silver ones seem to be rare as hen's teeth! Was it 'Just E30z' that had the seat then? What nick was it in? Cheers..

[csl]

Nice looking cab

What was the actual shade of red used in the retrim?

[LondonTom]

I don't usually like convertibles but that's lovely.

[elan]

Strugs, it was supplied by justE30z during some bodywork. You can check with them or let me know and I can ask them. Can't really remember the condition.

Nice looking cab

What was the actual shade of red used in the retrim?

It's hard to capture the colour with the camera. The first photo on the drive best captures the actual colour. I went for the closest shade to cardinal red. I will ask the retrim place for colour code.

I don't usually like convertibles but that's lovely.

Thanks, I have always preferred coupes too but it's lovely when the sun is out!

[Strugs]

Strugs, it was supplied by justE30z during some bodywork. You can check with them or let me know and I can ask them. Can't really remember the condition.

You're a star, cheers.

[P_VIDDY]

Not a fan of convertibles but this is NICE. Well done

[elan]

I hate to create "whats my wheels worth thread" so I will ask here instead. What are my old set of Hartge 15" alloys without centre caps worth?

[kro]

I hate to create "whats my wheels worth thread" so I will ask here instead. What are my old set of Hartge 15" alloys without centre caps worth?

on ebay 15" Hartge alloys with centre caps 1200 eur
http://www.ebay.de/itm/252079567258

for while on ebay is one seller who offers Hartge items - rumor that it is deadstock
http://www.ebay.de/sch/michaelpaulweber/m.html?

[elan]

For those who asked, I have added a few more pics of Junior's Retrim work:

[BMG]

The leather works looks really very good. Well worth the price.

[elan]

Decided to get the car detailed but there is a bit of mould/green stuff on the soft top and the rear windscreen doesnt look great. Whats the best way to tackle these two jobs please?

[MPOWERCRAZY]

Looking amazing mate! for the roof i would use some decent fabric cleaner with an interior detail brush and then jet wash of, worked a treat for me.

[KW355]

I have said it before but the retrim looks fantastic.
I have used the auto glym hood cleaning kit to good effect before. Be careful with the pressure washer, if you get too close you will damage the hood.

[mattmk1]

How strange, iv driven past your house and admired your M3/Hartge, iv always considered knocking on your door for a chat!

I live literally 5 minutes away and have a E46 M3 and a 325i sport. They make an excellent pair!

Yours both look superb

[elan]

Mpowercrazy & KW355, thanks for your comments and advice guys. I will give your suggestions a go and see how I get on.

Mattmk1, small world. Next time you are passing, knock on the door and we can have a chat. Seems we have similar taste in cars.

[Kos]

I'm liking this a lot


Finding a good trimmer is hard work, in fact it's harder to find a good trimmer than it is to find a good painted

My e24 is currently with B trim and they are spot on

[elan]

Thanks Kos, it is hard to find the right people to work on the car.

I am sure that B-Trim will do an excellent job on your seats. The guy who did my seats (Junior Grant) is well known to them.

[csl]

Lovely car elan

Is that a new Hartge badge on the grill courtesy of my Hartge badge thread?

[elan]

Lovely car elan

Is that a new Hartge badge on the grill courtesy of my Hartge badge thread?

Thanks to your thread I have indeed purchased a Hartge grill badge. It currently has an old grill badge until I get the new one painted.
I might suggest getting the badges painted as a group to get a good quality job and decent price?