Business Details
Trusted Motor Upholstery Services in St Leonards-on-Sea
Established over 140 years ago, our business has built an enduring reputation for excellence in motor and marine upholstery. We combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques to deliver bespoke solutions for vehicles ranging from vintage classics to contemporary models. Our team possesses unparalleled expertise in repairing, retrimming, and creating custom interiors for cars, motorcycles, boats, and aircraft. With generations of family experience, we maintain a commitment to quality materials and meticulous attention to detail. Our work has been featured in prestigious automotive publications, reflecting our status as trusted specialists.We offer comprehensive services including hood fabrication, seat restoration, interior panel reconstruction, and bespoke carpet design. Our material inventory spans adhesives, leathers, and specialist fittings to ensure every project meets exacting standards. Clients benefit from our deep industry knowledge, spanning historic vehicle preservation to cutting-edge custom builds. We guarantee all our work, ensuring client satisfaction through transparent communication and technical mastery. This legacy of excellence continues under the current leadership, maintaining our position at the forefront of vehicle upholstery craftsmanship.
Services
Hoods
Head-Linings
Seat Repairs
Interior Panel Work
Carpets
Motorcycle Seats
Vehicle Trimming
Leather Re-Colouring
Marine Upholstery
Vintage Restoration
Highlights and features
- We offer over 140 years of specialist motor upholstery experience
- Family-run business maintaining traditional craftsmanship techniques
- Bespoke solutions for diverse vehicles from vintage cars to aircraft
- Comprehensive material selection including premium leathers and fittings
- Guaranteed workmanship from expert artisans with generational knowledge
Services
Seat Repairs
We specialise in comprehensive seat repairs ranging from minor fixes to complete retrimming. Our expertise includes foam rebuilding, spring replacement, and leather recolouring using specialist techniques. Clients benefit from traditional deep buttoning for veteran vehicles and custom modifications to meet specific requirements.
Hood Fabrication
Our bespoke hood making service covers complete fabrication and fitting for classic and modern vehicles. We offer tonneau covers, hood bags, and vinyl roof replacements with a guarantee on all workmanship. Clients can opt for our full service or choose supply-only options.
Interior Panel Work
We provide complete interior panel restoration including door panels, dashboards, and consoles. Services cover re-covering, replacement, and structural rebuilding using authentic materials. Our work maintains original vehicle integrity while meeting modern durability standards.
Leather Re-Colouring
Our specialist leather re-colouring service matches existing finishes using water-based materials. This process restores faded or damaged leather interiors to their original appearance while preserving the material's integrity through professional lacquering techniques.
Marine Upholstery
We extend our expertise to marine environments with bespoke upholstery solutions for boats and yachts. Services include weather-resistant seating, interior panel work, and custom fittings that withstand maritime conditions while maintaining aesthetic quality.
Questions
What types of vehicles do you work on?
We handle upholstery for classic cars, motorcycles, boats, aircraft, and commercial vehicles. Our expertise spans from veteran models to modern machines.
Can you match original leather colours?
Yes, our bespoke re-colouring service precisely matches existing leather tones using professional water-based materials for authentic results.
Do you supply materials?
We stock comprehensive materials including leathers, adhesives, fittings, and sound deadening products for complete upholstery solutions.
What historic projects have you completed?
Our heritage includes working on HRG cars, Elva sports cars, and Jaguar prototypes. We've also restored vehicles for major collections and museums.
How do you ensure quality?
With over 140 years of experience, we combine traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques, guaranteeing all our workmanship and materials.
Reviews (3)
Jaye Libeccio
May 10, 2021
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You pay for quality, and they are quality, in fact masters of their craft, I will certainly use again
Patrick Phillips
Nov 21, 2018
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I cannot praise too highly, the equisite and painstakingly-perfect craftsmanship, the exemplary customer care and also the old-fashioned courtesy that Dave and Jo Upton have undertaken. I entrusted my Austin Healey 3000 to them for a bespoke hood and tonneau and am more than delighted with the better-than-professional results and regular 'WhatsApp' updates. So much so, that I've already booked a place in their diary next year for a re-carpet; following my erroneous purchase of an 'off the peg' carpet set from a well-known major supplier - which needless to say - simply didn't fit!
Keith Parrington
Jun 20, 2018
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Superb. Nowhere else to go for quality trim, quality price, and quality service. Book well in advance - always booked up - they are that good.
