Cartoche vs Lebarron Bonney

S

Savvy

Member
I was quoted slightly over $4000 by Lebarron Bonney for a '34 Deluxe Fordor mohair interior kit.
I recently received a 15% off Interior Kit coupon from Mac's.
Mac's sale price for a '34 Deluxe Fordor Sedan mohair interior kit is under $2 grand.

I was planning on installing myself.....never done one.
However, 2 large will go pretty far towards a pro install.

What say you Barners.....is LB really worth more than twice Cartouche?

Cheers!
 
I was faced with the same problem with my 39 coupe. Mac's was cheaper. I compared and compared and compared. It came down to the Lebaron Bonney door panels were a better quality materials than mac's so I went with Lebaron Bonney. My recommendation, compare the two very closely. If equal, your decision. But my decision was that I was only going to do it once in my life time and I wanted the best. In my case the winner was Lebaron Bonney.
 
Lebaron Bonney is great, I have used two kits from them with no problems and great quality. I sent them the seats to do and then I installed them along with the headliner and all panels.
 
I used LB's kits more times than I care to recall. From my experience and that of my peers, LB's are far worth the cost. I've never used the 'other guys' but know of a few folks that have. They all (each & every one) regretted their decision.
This, in my opinion, is one of those places where "ya get what ya pay for".

Installing? If you have lots of patience and some decent mechanical skills, you can do it. Take your time. read the directions, then read them again a few more times.
 
Joe KCMO said:
I compared and compared and compared. It came down to the Lebaron Bonney door panels were a better quality materials than mac's so I went with Lebaron Bonney.
Click to expand...

OK, I'll bite.......

How does one compare door panels, or any thing else for that matter other than the sample cards?
 
I have used L.B. twice once in a 39 coupe and the second time in my 35
pickup. Did both myself and when there was a problem L.B. was there to walk me through it. Chet/MA.
 
I restore Model "A"s and had 5 done by LB's and a friend with his 32 Cabriolet "ALL"came out very well. For fine point judging that was something else in the Model 'A" world. Did not pass to top shelf. But remember you get what you pay for and in my case its LB. Been around for a long time..Must be doing something right.
 
I have Mac's and it is very nice. I have both samples and they look and feel the same to me. I think it comes down to the money. LB has an established reputation and Mac's is the new kid on the block.
 
Have used a Lebaron Bonney kit for a '29 Model A sedan and a '46 convertable. Both were excellant quality and installation was without problems. They are always ready to answer questions. You get what you pay for and upholstery is something you really only want to do once.
 
LeBarron B stands by their work and are willing to help you on the phone. I had a 40 convertible boot made and it did not fit properly despite their using corect patterns. They asked me to chalk areas to be taken in and they re-did it all with no complaints. Cami has been there many years and is one of their best sales people. I also re-did the door panels on my 34 Tudor and the mohair matched perfectly to the material from 30 years ago.
 
Has anyone compared the two on the basic 28-29RPU? Simple vinyl seat covers and door panels; how different can they be?
 
I just had a leather interior put in a '38 Phaeton by a high-end SoCal Ferrari/Hotrod/Classic shop for half of what the LB kit was. Silly money.
 
I think Cartouche has two choices for interiors... "as original" and an aftermarket line.

are you comparing the "as original" pricing to that of LB?

As far as MACs, I have had good experiences with them in general but have not purchased any interior kits.
 
I've upholstered ten cars, on eight I've used LeBaron Bonney and two using Cartouche. Quality was much better on LeBaron although the tudor I did with Cartouche came out pretty good with a lot of fitting. LeBaron looked more original in the fabric choices. I think I'll stick with LeBaron even though the price is a little higher and help is just a call away.
 
I am more than halfway through installing a kit in a Lincoln Continental Coupe that came from a third supplier. I did not have the luxary of having a choice. My car had been reupolstered by a butcher before and there was very little of the original interior. I have had to redo several pieces and am not totally satisfied with the end results. Given a choice I would have spent more money for a better kit.
 
I decided for the Mac's kit on my '35 pickup. That was my mistake and I knew better having used LB before. The things that frosted me were that none of the punched holes on the door panels matched original and the roof cardboard came in a cardboard box with no reinforcement in the box and the panels were creased from being bent in shipment. I promised myself that I would never be an advocate for Mac's upholstery. I do buy a number of other things from them with good service.
 
VinnieCap said:
I think Cartouche has two choices for interiors... "as original" and an aftermarket line.

are you comparing the "as original" pricing to that of LB?

As far as MACs, I have had good experiences with them in general but have not purchased any interior kits.
Click to expand...

1934 Fordor Authentic Upholstery Order Combo UV25X4 $1887.81

Thanks for everyone's input.

Cheers!!
 
I used LB's on my 40 conv and it was just right as I had them change the color of the top to match the oxblood seat extra cost but it was what I wanted they were happy to do it.They also changed the fabric style on my 29 roadster and color so the extra money is worth it.Had to ask a few questions they answered but they do need a 800 number to service
 
Of the 3 with finished interiors, only 1 is from Mac's. No problems with the Mac's kit. I think the Mac's is good for a budget and the LB kits seem to be more authentic.
 
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