Are these Karobe seat covers?

[mnicoop63]

I have a pair of seat covers that I think are Karobe? I haven't been able to find much information about them other than a post or two. The couple pictures I have seen of others seem to have a different pattern on them. I wonder if this was a pattern too or possibly "knock offs"? There is no label anywhere on them. I bought a mini awhile back and it had been sitting since the early 1970's. These were in a box so I have to assume they are from the same time period. Any information would be appreciated. I'm tired of searching for information and only finding an old brochure. I have been considering selling them but I don't know exactly what they are.

[spraybeateer]

I had a Karobes set on my first Mini in the mid sixties! sadly that's as much as I remember about them,
There was a version made by Kumficar! the parent company being Holmfray Carpets of Batley Westyorkshire,
whom were also the parent company of Oyler Coachtrimmers whom produced The Contessa range of Coachbuilt
Cars.

[scott6058]

Old Karobe covers had a stitched label on rear of the seat but maybe not all of them.

[mnicoop63]

I had a Karobes set on my first Mini in the mid sixties! sadly that's as much as I remember about them,
There was a version made by Kumficar! the parent company being Holmfray Carpets of Batley Westyorkshire,
whom were also the parent company of Oyler Coachtrimmers whom produced The Contessa range of Coachbuilt
Cars.

spraybeateer thank you for the reply. I will look and see if I can find any information on Kumficar!

[mnicoop63]

Old Karobe covers had a stitched label on rear of the seat but maybe not all of them.

scott6058 there doesn't appear to have been a label on them that I can see and I doubt that they both fell off. I don't think they have ever been used so unless karobes had no labels towards the end of their production I am thinking maybe they are knock offs. Hopefully someone else has more information. Thank you for the response.

[Dearg1275]

I had Karobe covers on my first mini. I don’t remember the side cushions as being rounded like these ones. They had a vertical outside edge and a seam along it front to back. From there the side cushion sloped at a flat angle and were quite firm. The was a bit of a raised pad across the front I think. The tapes were also thinner.

D

[mnicoop63]

I had Karobe covers on my first mini. I don’t remember the side cushions as being rounded like these ones. They had a vertical outside edge and a seam along it front to back. From there the side cushion sloped at a flat angle and were quite firm. The was a bit of a raised pad across the front I think. The tapes were also thinner.

D

D Thank you for the response. The pads on the sides were actually pretty flat when I took them out of the box. From the underside you can replace the foam. The pockets were simply stapled closed with heavy duty upholstery staples. The original foam was like dust inside them. I bought foam and put it in the one seat to see what they looked like. The covers definitely don't have a vertical side to them. There is however a pocket in the base where a flat piece of foam would be inserted. Somewhat like the newton MK1 seat base foam has. There was one seat cover that was on a seat in the car that is pretty much identical to these except the pattern was different and the side cushions along with around the bottom and on the back is smooth, not textured. The straps or tapes are thinner on that one. It is old and stiff but I kept it. I will have a closer look at it and see if there are any other differences. I assumed these covers were a newer pair to replace the ones that were already in the car. Once again thank you for the information. These three responses are more information than I could find anywhere online.

[Dearg1275]

Label looked like this stitched to the back of the cover on the outside for all to see.

66BEB7F4-9FE9-47B5-8407-70119106772C.jpeg

A advert showing the front padding.

BAC08537-129E-43F6-9800-B64E16DE0D88.jpeg

D

[finchy533]

I had Karobe covers on my first mini. I don’t remember the side cushions as being rounded like these ones. They had a vertical outside edge and a seam along it front to back. From there the side cushion sloped at a flat angle and were quite firm. The was a bit of a raised pad across the front I think. The tapes were also thinner.

D

I have one and it sounds much more like that than those pictured - there is a seam along the top of the bolsters, a cushion at the front of the base, and thin straps. But it doesn't have any label, so I don't think it's Karobes. I do know that it cost £3.50 in 1971 but not where it came from - maybe my old man would remember...

Looking at some CCCs from 70/71, there were a few similar ones around - Luxicar, Aquatex, and Motoscope are makes/suppliers I've seen adverts for (and no sign of Karobes at this point in time).

[Dearg1275]

The full advert. It had gone up in price.

8C7EF1EB-E2C7-4448-B110-4166C5C56061.jpeg

D