I never liked the texture of the factory material in my Felicia and always envy the leather door panels that other luxury cars of that era had.

I decide to give my panels to apply leather although:

1) I had no experience on this matter.

2) I had no other example ie another Felicia owner here of photos from a UK tuning magazine that i was reading those years.

I start visiting Upholstery stores in the area and i heard many opinions: ''it can not be done, i want 750 euros for this, there is no gain to do it, i can put Leatherette but i can not guarantee that will last long, yes you can put Leatherette but only an experienced technician can do it, leave it as is, those panels don't stand leather" etc.

 

Since i was not yet member in any forum (GR or foreigner) and there was any Felicia owner in the area to ask i took the risk, removed the 4 panels and went to an Upholstery store which asked me reasonable amount of money and took the responsibility to install real leather.

Here are 3 examples as they look now after about 22 years of use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind that things now in the market are different, more help (informations) from internet, different prices due to competition, different materials, some cars have them as Standard from the factory etc.

This was a ''risky'' project back then but i never regretted for my decision.

I know that the photos are not good and there is missing one but i will take care of it in a future post plus a small analysis for the Pros and Cons.

I don't relate with leather on the car because I don't have ac and on the summer the leather becomes unbearable. But I see on the back doors you have replace the lever of the manual regulator with a speakers, and also in the front I see you have add tweeters as well. Did you install that stuff by your self and if yes what steps have you made to install them

12 minutes ago, NickStam said:

I see on the back doors you have replace the lever of the manual regulator with a speakers, and also in the front I see you have add tweeters as well. Did you install that stuff by your self and if yes what steps have you made to install them

 

I bought my Trusty with electric windows (front) and later i paid for rear windows too, the round cap was to cover the mechanism plastic gears, together was a T shape handle to roll the window down or up in case that the power fails.

The tweeters installed together with the speakers (fron and rear) by an I.C.E electrician, i am not a sound expert but they help a lot for quality sound.

I don't remember the cost but i will try to find them if they exist now in the market.

The rear astrays are ''glued'' and they don't open in purpose and the front is modified for switches (my patent with lof of work).

Well they are okay but really full leather door cards are not a single-sheet if I were you I would add some more details.

A pure black sheet is just too blunt

Edited 15 January, 20251 yr by Thefeliciahacker

I believe the most challenging thing on the Felicia is to change the hard plastic I don't really know how to add foam or leather but I imagine it's not a simple job 

13 hours ago, NickStam said:

I believe the most challenging thing on the Felicia is to change the hard plastic I don't really know how to add foam or leather but I imagine it's not a simple job 

 

I don't know if anyone here takes the responsibility to do it but even the cost would be enormous.

You can cover it with adhesive film or paint it.

I let it as is not because it's a ton of work but i think matches with the same colour handle lever (although i paint the outside part of the handle).

14 hours ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

 

I bought my Trusty with electric windows (front) and later i paid for rear windows too, the round cap was to cover the mechanism plastic gears, together was a T shape handle to roll the window down or up in case that the power fails.

The tweeters installed together with the speakers (fron and rear) by an I.C.E electrician, i am not a sound expert but they help a lot for quality sound.

I don't remember the cost but i will try to find them if they exist now in the market.

The rear astrays are ''glued'' and they don't open in purpose and the front is modified for switches (my patent with lof of work).

Have you use amplifier as well or you got a better sound with just the speakers and tweeters. Also is it worth it to add separated tweeters and open the holes or it's kind of the same thing?

31 minutes ago, NickStam said:

Have you use amplifier as well or you got a better sound with just the speakers and tweeters. Also is it worth it to add separated tweeters and open the holes or it's kind of the same thing?

 

I don't have an amplifier in purpose, i don't like loud music while driving. I use radio or USB stick for songs only and in low volume.

In Mountain Roads is Off because i want to hear the engine, the tyres, the brakes etc creating a more ''Sporty'' sense.

 

The small tweeters are from NZ, something like these:

The electrician said that there is enough space in that triangle so he cut it and install them.

The help a lot in high notes (υψηλες νοτες) of the song.

Here is the co-drivers door.

 

 

 

So what's missing from that door panel? New door lock pins !

 

 

Here is the factory style, cheap plastic pins with that ''ring'' around it, never like them were not convenient, i replace them with the ones that you can see in the above photo, were from aluminium (same dimensions) with a checkered end for better grip.

I had them for many years till i saw in aliexpress these and i bought them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The new ones are from Aluminium Alloy but with Chrome effect, bigger and very good looking, more convenient with better grip.

Here was what i had,

 

 

 

so make the comparison:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think the new ones are the Winners.

 

I have the thought to install a washer (chrome) on the door panel to match the new door lock pin.

Shall i use epoxy glue or glue for leathers or cyanoacrylate?

For sure @nta16 will have some experience from Classic cars.

7 minutes ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

For sure @nta16 will have some experience from Classic cars.

Sorry, no he wouldn't.  I very much dislike glues (adhesives) and sealants and paints and the fumes they give off, we are in the 21st century and still we use these chemicals as they are cheap for the producers and car manufacturers, and things like DOT 3, 4 and 5.1 brake fluid, all just annoy me and I am generally very successful at avoiding glues and paints in my life.

 

Personally I don't like too much bling on a car but if I was to put on surrounds for the door lock push buttons they would be pressed in and secured to the panels like the surrounds to shoes and boot lace eyelets holes to reinforce them (forget what they are called).

 

On 26/01/2025 at 18:24, D.FYLAKTOS said:

I think the new ones are the Winners.

these make your car much easier to steal all the fans of Roma football club will be very happy

And yours with the stock you think is unbreakable?

Already tried in the past when the car was new, broke the rear right triangle window, lift the stock door lock pin but the loud sound from the double siren make them to quit.

1 hour ago, D.FYLAKTOS said:

And yours with the stock you think is unbreakable?

its very unsafe but im not planning on making it unsafer

Something like this

 

 

I have in mind.