Another story about LeBaron Bonney

lfg

lfg

Member
In the mid 1990’s I ordered a top kit from LeBaron Bonney for a 1931 S/W cabriolet that I was beginning the process of restoring. Then in 2003 I ordered a 2nd top kit for second 68C I acquired. It was not until this summer that I was ready to install the first top when I found some of the measurements were not correct. I looked at the 2nd top and it had the same problem.

I called L/B and told them of my problem. It had been so long ago that I no longer had the order numbers and I wasn’t sure of the dates. My call was referred to Doug Belinsky. Doug was aware of the dimension problems with the earlier kits. To my surprise he told me to box them up and return them and he would replace them at no charge. He even offered to pay the shipping back to him (I didn’t take him up on that).

I have now received the two new top kits and I am in the process of completing the installation of the first one. If there ever was a supplier who should be recognized for going over and above the “call of duty” to satisfy their customers, L/B gets my vote.

I just wanted share this with the Model A’ers out there to let them know how L/B treats their customers.

Larry Gilbert
 
That's good news....far to many people take the wrong approach and will call them and complain instead and won't take no for an answer....in my years in retail if u have a legit problem stay calm and a good business will work with you and help you.. If you come out of the gates firing they will closed there doors. Sounds like you did the right thing and will pass on LB to anyone u know
 
My wife and I went to Amesbury this fall to visit LB and take the 50 cent tour as we're (hopefully) going to start on our 180A phaeton this year and plan to purchase the interior and top from them. They were most gracious and gave us their total attention while showing us everything we wanted to see and answered every question with up front honest answers. They've gone through some tough times lately and are trying hard to make the business succeed. They don't stock kits any more; they're made to order and they still do it mostly by hand with artisans that really know their stuff. Can't wait to put that kit in the open car.
 
I have orderd three complete interior kits & three top kits from L-B & recommended them to several others. I'm in the process of installing my third kit now. It's a complete kit for a 60B Briggs leatherback. I have also helped friends install three other L-B kits. Always had good luck untill this order. The kit was orderd back on Sept. 23rd. I sent the headliner & carpet patterns in as soon as they were received. The kit arrived on Oct. 28th. minus the headliner & carpet which were on b/o. I called & they said they were doing inventory & weren't sending anything during that time. I waited another two weeks & called again. This time I was told they were out of the headliner material & had no idea when it would be in. Meanwhile I orderd three small items from their cataloge & asked them to put them in with the headliner & carpet when they sent those. I finely received the headliner & carpet which had been on B/O on the 22nd of Dec.,three months after the orig. order. The three additional items I orderd, weren't in the box & they would have easily fit. When I called & asked they said it's not their policy to ship anything additional with B/O items. One of the additional items was the rear window shade which I was told today may take up the six weeks & it was orderd on Dec. 10th.
 
They did a 29 sport coupe for me a few years ago and it was just beautiful. I will use them again on my 40 coupe
 
I don't think there is much worry about them going anywhere.I think you will find the A interiors are the small part of their operations.Hampton Coach,ABC Auto Upholstery,the wholesale material business,the furniture stores,and who knows what else.Lee Atherton always kept his eye on the ball.Since he passed they seem to have gotten bigger.
 
I have used their kits for many years in both my cars and customer's cars. I am now an authorized installer of their kits, and have been very pleased with the company for all these years.
 
I know LeBaron Bonney appreciates the good words. I saw them at SEMA and they are doing OK. They have expanded beyond the Model A business and are doing some newer kits. But they assured me that they will always take care of the Model A hobby. We ordered the interior and top for the "new" Model A we are building as the next Model A Times project car.
 
I also can't say enough good things about L-B. I purchased a 1932 5-Window Coupe in 1981 that had a interior kit come with it that was purchased in 1976. The car was very rusty and incomplete and I did not get it finished until 2010. When I installed the interior I had questions and I needed a couple of items but L-B jumped into the situation and had me fixed up in no time, 34 years after the sale!! I will not think of any other supplier when it comes to interior kits. Ed
 
I've had nothing but good luck with LBB not only with Model A's but other years and makes when doing customer cars.

I am getting ready to order 4 Lebaron Bonney Model A upholstery kits for my personal projects.
 
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