[DeTomaso] New Upholstery

[J. Sean Keane]

I should have mentioned in my previous post that the upholstery kit from 
Hall Pantera didn't include the head rests.  Fortunately, mine were in 
almost perfect shape, unlike the rest of the seat.  If your headrest is 
shot, I'm not sure what to suggest.  I don't see anything about them on 
Hall's parts list.

After receiving several direct emails, I realize that I should have also 
mentioned that a hog ring pliers and upholstery rings are needed.  The 
Pantera seats have a unique (in my experience, anyway) design where 
little triangles of metal in the seat bottom are used to pierce and hold 
the upholstery.  However, it's my opinion that you still need a few 
rings, although not as many as other car seats I've reupholstered.

I'd say that something like 80% of the result of reupholstering car 
seats comes from the quality of the upholstery you buy, i.e. how well 
does it fit the seat it's made for.  As I said before, the Hall seats 
are excellent.  The other 20% comes from taking your time and carefully 
sliding the seat all of the way into the upholstery before you start 
attaching it.  Anyone can do a good job if they're careful.  I would 
recommend having someone to help, though, as it's useful to have one 
person stretching the upholstery while the other applies the rings.

Regards,

J. Sean Keane