LeBaron Bonney vs Cartouche

Lona

Lona

Well-known member
Getting ready to replace my '31 deluxe roadster top. Did a search on tops but could not find any opinions on comparisons between LeBaron Bonney and Cartouche. Does anyone have experience with these two suppliers? The LB top is 25 % more than Cartouche. Is their quality that much better? Also, LB literature says my roadster was only offered with a green-on-green topping but I've never seen a roadster with a green top, only off white on the deluxe or black on the standard roadster.

Would appreciate any opinions on the subject.

Glen
 
Several years ago I bought a front carpet for my Fordor from one of the vendors, it being a Cartouche. Reason was, like you said, cheaper. When I received it the carpet was not finished around the gas pedal area and foot rest. I called the vendor who told me to ship it back, at my expense, for a refund but I believe I had to pay a restocking fee. As it turns out I haven't bought another carpet but when I do I know who it won't be from. I think the old saying applies here "you get what you pay for". Just my two cents worth.
 
Yes the extra expense is worth it. You only do the job once, do it the best you can. The quality of materials and workmanship are vastly different. I have had experience with both, and when I ran my restoration shop, I would only install Lebaron Bonney interiors. It's your car, but personally I would not install a Cartouch set in my car if it was free. Others may dissagree, but that is my opinion.
 
I have purchased floor and seat upholstery from LeBaron Bonney, and it is flawless.

Some people here have complained that the material used by Cartouche wears out quicker than the material used by LeBaron Bonney, however I cannot verify.
 
my car touche interior wore out quickly.
as mentioned you get what you pay for.. spend the extra and do the job once
 
I guess there's a reason someone called one company "car douche".:D:p

I've read enough from those that have tried each to know you want to use L/B or Classtique upholstery.
 
The olive green is correct. Glen, the reason you haven't seen the "green" is simply that, until the recent past, that fabric was not available for reproduction tops. My '31 40B has both the correct top and the leather interior as supplied by LaBaron Bonney which I installed some six years ago. I would use LB again, in fact, am installing their kit in my '34 Fordor.

Gar Williams
 

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LeBaron Bonney is definitely a much higher quality. Cartouth is very poor quality, like the rest of Macs. The very cheapest quality, just above junk.
 
Purchased several items over the years from Lebaron Bonney and never had a problem with the fit or workmanship. "The bitterness of poor quality lives long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten'. You get what you pay for!
 
Go with Lebaron Bonney without a doubt. These people are top notch. I had them make a kit for my A coupe using material I sourced elsewhere since I didn't want wool which was original but requires more care. They did the seat for me in their shop but the rest I installed myself. Now I have never upholstered a car before but this kit went in unbelievably well and fit with no gaps, wrinkles, or anything that would suggest an amateurish installation.
As to roadster tops, I observed while in their facility, that their tops are cut and fitted to a fixture not unlike a set of top bows to insure a proper shape. I think some of the other suppliers just cut and stitch on the dotted line which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.
 
Thanks to all for the quick replies. Seems like there is no question about the better supplier. Did not know about Classtique but after looking at their site, there is not a great price difference between them and LB on tops so LB will be my choice. The comments on the original green tops were also informative.

Glen
 
Aerocraft said:
The olive green is correct. Glen, the reason you haven't seen the "green" is simply that, until the recent past, that fabric was not available for reproduction tops. My '31 40B has both the correct top and the leather interior as supplied by LaBaron Bonney which I installed some six years ago. I would use LB again, in fact, am installing their kit in my '34 Fordor.

Gar Williams
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Has LeBaron Bonney been able to obtain the "Olive Drab" Stayfast top material again? I understood their supplier was not producing it?
 
Mitch//pa said:
dad
did you pull it down and look at the backside to see.. maybe just the tacks came loose...
son
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NO need to pull it down, as there's NO stitches showing:eek:
"SOMEDAY" I'll have Chris @ Cookie's Upholstery, make me a new one. '29's only have 2 tacking strips, He'll put 5 strips, like my '30 had. YES, I KNOW that's NOT "original":eek: but it's MY CAR:D
Bill W.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
NO need to pull it down, as there's NO stitches showing:eek:
"SOMEDAY" I'll have Chris @ Cookie's Upholstery, make me a new one. '29's only have 2 tacking strips, He'll put 5 strips, like my '30 had. YES, I KNOW that's NOT "original":eek: but it's MY CAR:D
Bill W.
Click to expand...

try these :D
 

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