A lazy upholsterer - 33 Ford

[Doctor's Ford]

Today I stripped the old worn out damaged upholstery from the front seat of my 33 to begin restoring the interior. Surprisingly I found several prior layers of upholstery underneath. It seems that instead of removing the old one, somebody just kept adding new upholstery on top of the previous one! Photos show from L to R a total of 4 layers with the bottom one seeming to be the original interior. If that is the case, thanks to the laziness of the upholsterer I can have a shot of the original. Look at the close up, is that an original pattern?

 

[Brian]

Indeed it would appear so! Nice to find that, so nicely preserved.

 

[DavidG]

Yes.

 

[Lyndon]

I noticed the same thing when I replaced most of the spring coils in my '42's front seat, there were at least 2 other coverings still in place under the latest one, including the original. From the look of the original in my '42, someone hauled a leaky oil-bath air filter on the passenger seat at one time.

 

[supereal]

Years ago, it was common practice to place new upholstery over the old. Most, after or during the war, just wanted to extend the vehicle until new ones became available. This was also commonly done with theatre seats, etc. i doubt anyone expected these vehicles to exist decades later, let alone be prized.

 

[911 STEVE]

re-doing my 40 standard 2dr sedan & found 1940 brown mohair under the grey tweed that was done in the 80's. nice to know that the covers lasted almost 75 years. I am going with red & white tuck/roll. hope it last 35 years.

 

[Mart]

You can see the brown/grey mohair on the seat of my 33 coupe where the green naugahyde has split. It was covered sometime in the 50's I guess.

Mart.