I have to say that I'm very surprised with all the things I've done over this winter season. The list is getting thinner by the month, but there seems to be a tendency for me to keep adding to the list. THis is how a $5k car gets turned into a $50k car then a $75K car - right?

Anyway, I just got back from Mr.Mike's in Sarasota. I need to add some text here before throwing up the pictures to give Mike kudos. So here is the story on how I went from cloth to leather!

The first time I saw MrMike's leathers in person was at the CTHC 01? - in Sept 06. I'd seen his web page and all of the feedback I'd read on PFF. Everyone seemed thrilled, and the price seemed very reasonable. (ed OK Mike you can hike your prices now!) I was set on two tone - light tan and dark tan. At Fierorama a draw prize was a $300 voucher for MrMike's leathers and I wanted that prize real bad! I even thought, momentarily, of rolling the winner if I did not get it. I was livid when I did not win that prize. Crud - now I'm going to have to pay for them! I was told that Mike had an Xmas sale - so I waited until mid-November. The sale came, and wasn't what I was expecting. I was hoping for a fire sale kinda thing - or say - 25% off. I can dream can't I? Or maybe it's just cheap drugs....

Anyway I called Mike in December and told him I was coming to Daytona (D7) for March and would decide on colors in January. I'd aksed him to send me colors samples as the light tan was no longer available. The dye method is changing and the light tan was not colored throughout the leather - just the top coat. That would not do for Mike, so rather than offer an inferior product he simply took it off the list of options. I was a little ticked at this at first, but as I have found out, Mike is straight business (an artist or top craftsman is more appropriate) and isn't interested in selling low quality products. This is a huge indication of how pleased I am with the leathers...

I waited until the end of January to place my order. It started out as just seats, then grew to seats and visors, then grew to seats, visors, door uppers and lowers and then added door map pockets. Like I said, the list has a way of growing! As it turns out, I'd almost left things too late. I wanted my order to be ready for me to install at his shop - much like how Archie let me use some of his space at CTHC. Mike told me he didn't have room to allow me to work and we then begun a conversation that lasted for about an hour about what options I had available. I pleaded my case with Mike saying I'd have a fresh install for D7 for his customers to see and that my car was an Archie conversion and chop. Well, Mike relented and we had a deal! Yahoo.

All I had to do now was 1) sell the Harley, 2) sell my enclosed trailer and 3) find someone to share the purchase of a car carrier! I took care of everything and ended up picking up my trailer on March 12th - just in time for my trip to Sarasota and Daytona.

I ended up going with dark tan and dragon for the inserts. Visor, door uppers and map pockets are in dark tan and the door lowers are in dragon. l would have never guessed how exact the dark tan was to the interior of the TAZ. So close is gives me shivers!!

Part of my deal with Mike was that I'd drop my car off at 9:00am Monday and would leave he and Tim to do their majic without me hanging around. That gave me two days to hang around Longboat Key beaches and soak up the sun. I would have loved to have helped (right Archie!), but I was very greatful for Mike doing this install. No way I was going to be a PIA and hang around. I did drop by the Tuesday morning to leave my car trailer in front of his shop. I poked my head and asked if I could attempt to fix my sunroof latch while the seats were out. He okayed this little deviation and I finaly figured out how to fix the sunrrof mechanism. It was not closing at all after I got it back from the paint shop. If anyone wants details - I'll add it to a later post.

The job was completed within the time Mike estimated, even though Mike was waiting for the dark tan leather to come in. He basically made everything from scratch on Monday morning. I did show up a few hours early on Tuesday and witnessed Mike and his craftmanship at work. I cannot overstate how gifted Mike is in this area. His movement was precise, with little wasted effort - yet relaxed and focused at the same time. I don't know if craftsman is the right word for it - but he is certainly gifted.

The quality of the entire job is the highest I've ever seen. The fit of everything is perfect. Mike and Tim took care of small things - like broken clips and other items as they found them - even if they were not part of the job. All I can say is WOW. I have a new found respect for a professional here, and maybe even someone I can call a friend. I sure hope so. He's a smaller verison of Archie! If you are new to PFF and the Fiero community I can only add that fellows like these two contribute an immense amount to the positive nature of Fiero restoration and ownership. I cannot recommend Mike any more highly.

If you ever thought you might want his products - don't wait or questions whether or not you are taking a chance. His kits are complete, with everything you need to do the job. Mike's report card score is 100% with a 20% bonus for doing such a great job!

Here are the pics... (the last one is for Curly!)









Thanks again Mike (and Tim) - and looking to take you on at the Go-Kart track!

[This message has been edited by DrCPU (edited 03-21-2007).]

I don't think i have ever heard a negative word about any of Mike's work.

He is just outstanding at what he does and we (the fiero community) are very, very lucky to have someone like him on our side.

CPU looking forward to meeting you and seeing your fantastic car on Saturday !

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1985SE chopped and dropped/ V-8 Archie Choptop #4
1986GT
1986 coupe 2M4

[This message has been edited by exoticse (edited 03-21-2007).]