AC Cobra Full Vehicle Restoration with Redline Engineering

Harry Pitcher • April 15, 2026

This AC Cobra Mk IV came to d:class as part of a collaborative restoration with our good friends, Redline Engineering UK. The customer wanted the car completely refreshed with a new body colour, mechanical overhaul, new exhaust, wheels, a full interior retrim, and more. We were tasked with retrimming the vehicle but ensuring to keep it traditional. So no new radios, switches, or any other modern upgrades to distract you from this beautiful car.

AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard

Keeping things traditional, we selected a black Wilton carpet for the car. So we removed the old carpet, removed any old glue to ensure a fresh base for the new carpet. The floor, inner sills, centre tunnel, rear bulkhead, over mats and doors all get trimmed in carpet on a Cobra, leaving only the dashboard, seats, and any carpet binding to be trimmed in leather.

AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard

The seats came to us just as metal frames, so we were tasked with creating the rubber belts that act as the spring in the seat, followed by adding the foams for added cushioning. Through much testing (bums in seats) we achieved the perfect balance between comfort and support.


Vaumol crushed grained black leather was used for the seats and dashboard, which looks absolutely perfect in this car. Really in keeping with the style and heritage of the vehicle. We then added the new Smiths dials, the 4-point harnesses, boot floor, over mats, and installed the centre console, completing this interior retrim.


There was a gap in between the retrim as the owner decided in for a penny, in for a pound, and changed the cars colour from the dark green to Carbon black.

AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard
AC Cobra MKiv Mk IV mk4 4 retrim restoration respray repaint paint refurbish restore resto leather carpet black vaumol grained crushed how to trim redline engineering d:class dclass auto automotive golden hour seats steering wheel dashboard

You might also like

porsche 992 911 carrera 4s houndstooth seat retrim front rear seats doorcard door card cards oem

Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Houndstooth Retrim

By Harry Pitcher • May 5, 2026
This Porsche 992 911 Carrera 4S belongs to another customer who has recently seen the influx of Porsches across our socials and blog. They have also requested the very sought-after houndstooth seat centre retrim. They have selected a black and red houndstooth for their seat centres and door card centres to be retrimmed in. A great choice, that also matches the black of the car and the red of the seat belts and calipers. Whilst we had the car, our customer also opted for a steering wheel retrim. Nothing crazy for this one, just a like-for-like OEM retrim to the same spec. Black nappa leather with black stitching and black racing band.
red ferrari 488 gtb seering wheel retrim black nappa leather red stitching d:class dclass oem

Ferrari 488 GTB Wheel Retrim

By Harry Pitcher • April 28, 2026
This Ferrari 488 GTB came to d:class for a steering wheel retrim, despite only showing light signs of wear. Having recently changed hands, the new owner wanted the car to feel completely their own. Starting with the one part you touch every time you drive. A fresh wheel makes all the difference, complemented by the installation of new steering wheel buttons to complete that factory-fresh finish.

Porsche 911 Turbo S Partial Retrim

By Harry Pitcher • April 28, 2026
This Porsche 911 Turbo S came to d:class for a partial seat and door card retrim. The customer wanted a band of grey Alcantara flowing around the seat base and back, matched as closely as possible to the car’s exterior colour. We were also tasked with recreating the debossed ‘Turbo S’ as an embroidered logo. Finally, the door card centres were retrimmed in matching grey Alcantara, complete with OEM-style stitch lines. Not a huge job, but a well-executed and highly effective OEM-like upgrade.
Show More