Mac's cartouche kits
- Thread starter paull055
- Start date
Kube
Super Moderator
Pay a bit more and go to Lebaron. Much better quailty and fitment. You'll be glad you did.
Remember most often you get what you pay for. This is most certainly one of those times.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
I'm not stealing the thread here but I have to vent somewhere. Neither Cartouche or Lebaron Bonney make a kit for my 51 Mercury sedan. You have to own a convertible before you can get one from LB. You all are lucky to have a choice.
I think Pat Walsh Restorations is the only one that will make up a set in kit form for the Modsville Mercs.
Kerby
I think Pat Walsh Restorations is the only one that will make up a set in kit form for the Modsville Mercs.
Kerby
Ken/Alabama
Well-known member
I have installed kits from both . Installed a L.B. in my first 40 Fordor I had and used them again on my 40 Convertible. Installed a Cartouche a few years back in a friends 40 Tudor . Put a new top on my 40 Convertible and saved some cash by buying the Cartouche top but didnt save any headaches for sure. The Lebaron Bonny top went much easier and they supplied EVERYTHING you need,the Cartouche left a little to the imagination and had to hire someone with a heavy duty sewing machine to sew on the straps that support the rear window. I did not have any fit problems with the seat covers ,headliner or door panels from Cartouche . In my opinion ,the Lebaron Bonny kit is worth the extra $$ but if your looking for something that will look nice and not worried about judging ,the Cartouche will serve your purpose.Dave at Macs is the go to guy for the upholstery,very nice to deal with. He made a complete upholstery kit for my friends 39 Zephyr from the old patterns and I installed it also. Dont for get to replace all the tacking strips inthe body. If you dont you will be sorry.
Ken/Alabama
Well-known member
flatheadfan
Well-known member
Paull055-
I have used car interiors from both suppliers (L-B and Cartouche). The L-B went into a '35 coupe. To be honest, nothing fit right. I had to remake each panel and send back both door panels to be re-made (they had a "rib" where the door pull should go). In each case L-B corrected the problem BUT, I had to pay for the return shipping and of course I lost installation time.
The last "repaired" item I received back from L-B had a covering that was a different shade and thickness than what they previously had sent me. I called them about the difference and they said they had changed suppliers and they were no longer stocking the "old" material. Needless-to-say, I wasn't a happy camper.
When it came to my next car ('31 coupe), I decided to give Cartouche a try after my L-B experience. The price was much cheaper than a comparable L-B kit. The result- everything fit like a glove! No installation difficulties, instructions were clear and nothing had to be re-made. The only "problem" I had was a "screw-up" on my part where I messed up a panel. I called Cartouche (talked to Dave) and explained my problem and was honest about the situation. Two days later I had a new panel expressed mailed to me at NO COST! Can't ask for better service than that!
Obviously, I can only speak from my limited experience but I would have no hesitation about using Cartouche in the future. One more thing. I went with their optional synthetic materials (looks and feels like original material). The stuff wears like iron. (MHO)
Tom
I have used car interiors from both suppliers (L-B and Cartouche). The L-B went into a '35 coupe. To be honest, nothing fit right. I had to remake each panel and send back both door panels to be re-made (they had a "rib" where the door pull should go). In each case L-B corrected the problem BUT, I had to pay for the return shipping and of course I lost installation time.
The last "repaired" item I received back from L-B had a covering that was a different shade and thickness than what they previously had sent me. I called them about the difference and they said they had changed suppliers and they were no longer stocking the "old" material. Needless-to-say, I wasn't a happy camper.
When it came to my next car ('31 coupe), I decided to give Cartouche a try after my L-B experience. The price was much cheaper than a comparable L-B kit. The result- everything fit like a glove! No installation difficulties, instructions were clear and nothing had to be re-made. The only "problem" I had was a "screw-up" on my part where I messed up a panel. I called Cartouche (talked to Dave) and explained my problem and was honest about the situation. Two days later I had a new panel expressed mailed to me at NO COST! Can't ask for better service than that!
Obviously, I can only speak from my limited experience but I would have no hesitation about using Cartouche in the future. One more thing. I went with their optional synthetic materials (looks and feels like original material). The stuff wears like iron. (MHO)
Tom
richard crow
Well-known member
i ordered the sample kit from both co. when i matched them they were the same lets face it neather co makes the meteral they buy it from a supleyer proulbey from the same one . cartouce was a 1,000 cheaper thats not a little less than l.b that is a whole lot. it fit well i did the whole job my self it was a 1940 ford coupe. i can,t coment on conv tops
Ralph Moore
Well-known member
Hey Ken,
Where do you get those tack strips from? I have a buddy doing a 38 Deluxe and he needs them.
Ralph
Where do you get those tack strips from? I have a buddy doing a 38 Deluxe and he needs them.
Ralph
Ken/Alabama
Well-known member
Bob Drake has it and Lebaron Bonney. Macs may have it also. It comes in different thickness so you will need to measure a piece of the old .
Ken Bull
Senior Member
I went for Cartouche kit partly on sale/$$,partly on Daves help--had local shop--F&M(Frank) install the kit for me--Best move
or it would have looked like I did it
-Very happy with outcome at this time My Top is Next & I dont know what to do ?? Mac/or/LB yet HELP? Header & Rear Bow?? Mac is out for wood here, LB or ?? HELP??
or it would have looked like I did it-Very happy with outcome at this time My Top is Next & I dont know what to do ?? Mac/or/LB yet HELP? Header & Rear Bow?? Mac is out for wood here, LB or ?? HELP??