LB VS. Cartouche

[Digger]

So now I have done three '34 cars with LB interior kits, and one with a Cartouche kit. My critique is the LB kit is worth buying. First of all, the colors and quality of material are accurate, and better than CT. Secondly, the fit is accurate to stock unaltered cars. The LB pieces overall need some minor tweaking, but fit much better then CT, whose pieces need a lot of teaking. To do this fine fitting will either cost you a lot of headaches if you are doing it yourself, or the difference in the cost of the kit if you are having a professional install it. Just want to pass on my findings.

 

[BrianCT]

Thank you for the info.

 

[Marv]

LB is the only way to go. They have good products and come with good instructions. Their kits come with some things that other dealers do not have in their kits. Marv

 

[flatmotor40]

used LB on my Model A and my 40 conv nothing but reat stuff .They even changed th color of the top to match the oxblood interior

 

[Cecil/WV]

I have the swatch samples from both and I can't tell any difference in the material. I used Cartouche in my '50 Ford and it looks and fits nice. To each his own, I guess.

 

[rotorwrench]

Interior & top trimming is all about the fit. Materials are also very important but without good fit it looks like sh!t. I don't see how they can make so many different kits and have them all fit well unless they trimmed several of each type then adjusted the fit to average out.

Now if one of them would make a kits for 51 Mercury 2-door or 4-door sedans, I could try one and see if it sucks or not.

Kerby

 

[flatheadfan]

I have used car interiors from both suppliers (L-B and Cartouche). The L-B went into a '35 coupe. 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