I have a 2007 v8 roadster. Despite my attempts at protecting the leather, I am seeing some shrinkage on the dash. I’ve already tried leatherique, etc. they probably helped forestall the shrinking.

anyway I remembered a classic Bugatti that I saw at a car show. They had upholstered the entire seating, dash and door panels with ostrich skin. It was very unusual.

So my interior is black. I’m thinking about redoing the upper dash panels, instrument hood and top door panels in tobacco colored ostrich.

I would love to hear what thoughts you all have about this. I’m afraid that I may like it but if I ever decide to sell it that nobody else will want this.

Thoughts?

 

Personally, I Iove the look of ostrich leather, but it's because of the somewhat "wild," natural look. My only question is whether that's the look you want in an Aston. A classic Bug often had that "I'm going to the opera, then the hillclimb, then on safari" image, so I could see how that might work in that case.
There's a reason that silver cars with black interiors are found everywhere: mass appeal!

 

When you consider the cost to pull the panels, glue in the new covers and replace the panels, the actual selection of the cover is fairly insignificant. Pick what you like.
Personally, I'd keep in mind that you might want to resell it someday, but you've already shown your taste in refined automobiles, chances are any future owner will appreciate your selection.

 

I like the idea but would lay out some sample pieces to help decide. For me it would depend upon my waterfall (piano black okay, iridium maybe not), headliner, and how dark the tobacco shade is. My concern would be too many textures and colors colliding. As for resale, that’s a personal choice and hard to forecast, but life is short and it’s your car now.

 

I have clear UV film on my windscreen

 

The most useful thing I did to mine was to have the windshield illegally tinted with high-quality film that blocks UV and IR. It helps keep the heat out.

Also, consider that any color other than black on the upper dash is going to drastically increase glare on the windshield. Even the black leather can be bad in sunny conditions; I was actually considering re-covering mine in black Alcantara to reduce the glare.

 

I had the majority of my interior panels redone and way happier with the look. The peeling always bugged me when I was driving because it was right in front of me.

I kept it looking OEM but if there is something you like that’s different I feel like you’ll enjoy it more as your own. The key is finding a place that has worked on these cars before, which depending on where you live may be hard

 

Are you sure ostrich won't shrink too?

I figured out how to keep the upper dash panels from popping. I haven't figured out a solution for the binnacle.

 

Just curious, but what tint did you use for the windshield? Florida is...hot. That's a project I am shooting for in the next month or so and I'd appreciate some more information on that solution! Thanks in advance!

 

It's Llumar 80 or 90% tint. No glare and high visibilty at night. Previous owner had it installed. Not sure if he had to sign waiver

 

Thanks MRCW! I'll have to chat with the tint guy here about that!

 

What's the solution?

 

I was going to do a tutorial when I got around to it.

Drill 1/16th holes every 1/4" across the front right at the corner of the base and stitch it to the backing [or use craft wire which was what I would use, a needle big enough to run auto thread would have a pretty big eye and I'd want to keep the holes small, depending on how much is covered by the other panels, I need to pull mine to check]. It's hidden by the airbag cover and it's not letting go if it's stitched down. The front edge isn't wrapped and is just glued into the L and that corner of the L is what gives first, and then just progresses until it pops off. Then take some epoxy and run a nice thick coat over the edges of the leather on the bottom side to try and keep it from letting go. My 2010, the end of the drivers side upper let go, I think all the panels need to have that mating edge covered with epoxy so it'll have a lot harder time letting go. You can see how thin the adhesive is they use to glue it down.

I grabbed a new 2009 upper off ebay still in box and there's a little spot where it's starting to let go right in the center. You can see the front edge is just wrapped in cloth, the leather isn't wrapped under, but it's still going to give right at the corner and lift unless you do something to stop it.

 

Makes sense -- thanks.