The MGB, the Midget, the Spitfire and the TR family are the cars that put open-top motoring within reach of ordinary drivers, and they were trimmed accordingly. These are honest, simple cockpits: vinyl seats, rubber-backed carpets, painted metal never far from view. That simplicity is part of the charm, but it also means every worn seam and split seat facing is on show, inches from your elbow, every time you drive.
We're experienced trimmers rather than a single-marque restoration house, and we'd rather say that plainly. What we bring to a British roadster is the same craft we apply everywhere: covers patterned properly, seams where the factory put them, and straight advice on materials. For the full heritage retrim process, start with our main classic car interiors page.
Vinyl or leather: the originality question
Here's the honest bit that surprises some owners: leather is often the less original choice. Most MGBs, Midgets and Spitfires left the factory with vinyl trim, and a good modern vinyl in the correct grain and colour is the period-correct route, as well as the more weather-tolerant and usually more affordable one. If a concours-style judge looks at your seats, vinyl in the right pattern is what they'll expect on most models.
That said, leather is a lovely thing in a small cockpit, and plenty of owners choose it with their eyes open: same seam layout, same pleats, just a richer material. Neither answer is wrong. Our job is to make sure you choose knowing the trade-offs, not to upsell you to the dearer hide.
Trimming for the weather
A roadster interior lives a harder life than a saloon's. Hoods leak, showers arrive mid-drive, and summer sun beats straight down onto the seat facings. So material choice matters beyond looks: UV-stable vinyls, moisture-tolerant foams and threads that won't rot are the difference between a retrim that lasts and one that fails early. Where a car lives outdoors or gets driven in all weathers, we can spec accordingly, including modern water-resistant materials in period-appropriate colours. Our marine background helps here; trimming for boats teaches you a lot about weather.
Seats, and everything around them
Roadster seats are simple frames with rubber diaphragms or webbing beneath the foam, and both are usually past their best by now. We rebuild the foundations before trimming so the seat sits at the right height with the right support. Beyond seats, we take on door cards, trim panels, carpet sets, armrests and hood-well covers: a single split panel or the whole cockpit, whichever the car needs. Craig, our lead trimmer, has 15 years' experience and will give you a straight steer on repair versus retrim.
Have a look at our work to judge the standard for yourself, or experiment with colours and stitching in our online design tool before you decide.
MG & Triumph interior FAQs
If originality matters most, vinyl is usually the honest answer: most of these cars left the factory with vinyl seats, and a good-quality vinyl in the correct grain and colour is the period-correct choice. Leather is a popular upgrade that many owners prefer for feel, but on an open car it needs more care. We'll talk through how you use the car and give you a straight recommendation.
Should I retrim my MGB or Spitfire in vinyl or leather?
Leather copes with the odd soaking if it's dried naturally and looked after, but repeated wettings and strong sun are hard on it. Vinyl and modern marine-grade materials shrug off weather far better. If your hood leaks or the car lives outside, tell us, as it genuinely changes what we'd recommend.
Will a leather interior survive in a roadster that gets caught in the rain?
Yes. We pattern from your existing covers wherever they survive, copying seam lines, pleat layouts and piping. Where the trim has already been replaced or is missing, we work with you and reference material for your model and year to get the layout right rather than guessing.
Can you reproduce the original seat style for my model and year?
Either. We regularly do seats alone, and equally take on door cards, panel trim, carpet sets, hood-well covers and more. A partial job is often the sensible route on these cars, and we'll advise on matching new work to your existing trim so it doesn't stand out.
Can you retrim just the seats, or do you do the whole cockpit?
Yes: owners send us seats and trim from across the UK, and we offer nationwide onsite fitting. The workshop is at Unit 6 Carrock Road, Wirral, CH62 3RA; call 0151 559 2515 and we'll talk through the practical options for your car.
Do you work on cars from outside the Wirral?
Sorting a roadster interior?
Tell us the model and year, send photos of the cockpit, and say how original you want to keep it, and we'll recommend materials and give you a quote.
Request a quote