Early vs. late saddle brown interior pics

[Steve73tii]

Some of the resident experts have posted on the difference between 'early' and 'late' saddle brown interiors, but it was hard to find pics to compare the two while trying to put my '73 tii together.

Since I've found some of the '73 pieces, I was able to compare them with the ones out of my '72 (VIN 2478816, late '71 build date).

Pics show early saddle brown on the left, late on right. (Not shown are the pre-'71 "tobacco" brown or the tan from the square taillight cars.)

These examples are all worn and sun-faded (the round piping on the seams should not be black), but the earlier saddle was more gold with dark striations and the late was more reddish and solid color.

To those with saddle interiors: I feel your pain.

--Steve

[HBChris]

Steve,

My 11/68 build 2002 has the exact same 'early saddle' which is more orange. Interesting that the basketweave is also different, the earlier seat truly has the basket type style. Anyone have a passenger armrest in the early saddle?

[jgerock]

Steve - you finally revealed what I've been questioning.

My 73 has the Saddle brown interior that's tough to match. I received a vinyl sample from Dave at Aardvark, but it was too dark.

Trying to recover some used E21 Recaro's to match the brown color - no luck yet.

[MikeWooldridge]

Because my seats in the late '71, 2572582, were so badly faded, I chose to spray them SEM Camel color. After 5 years, they are still great. Supposedly, http://www.worlduph.com/bmw1.htm has the color you are looking for.

[Mike Self]

"saddle" vinyl as used on the 72-73 cars; if you'll drop me an e-mail I'll see if I can find the sample and provide manufacturer and style/color. IIRC it was a close enough match to use with existing door panels and back seat.

What I can't find is some velour and/or upholstery grade corduroy that's complementary to the vinyl so I can do cloth inserts on my E21 Recaros and back seat.

mike