Off topic, Upholstery for old Buicks and Cadillacs

nkaminar

nkaminar

Well-known member
I know some of you have other cars besides Model A's. I was introduced to a company in North Wilkesboro, where I live, that makes upholstery kits for Buicks and Cadillacs, 30' through 60's. They ship world wide. They stock patterns and original material. Contact Clay at (336) 927-7911‬. Attached is a photo of part of his inventory. He will install the upholstery if you take the car to North Wilkesboro.
 

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It's good to know some companies are still out there reproducing vintage car interiors, and such. Maybe someday he will start reproducing "A" interiors. There certainly is a growing market now that the big three shops have closed their doors. I need a 30 Cabriolet interior and top which is now near impossible to find. Oh, if only I had been a doctor I would surely had driven a 30's Buick, especially a 1938 Buick!
 
lrf said:
It's good to know some companies are still out there reproducing vintage car interiors, and such. Maybe someday he will start reproducing "A" interiors. There certainly is a growing market now that the big three shops have closed their doors. I need a 30 Cabriolet interior and top which is now near impossible to find. Oh, if only I had been a doctor I would surely had driven a 30's Buick, especially a 1938 Buick!
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Jenkins Interior has been around for a long, long time.

Not sure who the 'big three' that you are speaking about. My opinion based on my experience is that LeBaron Bonney was the leader of supplying kits for two main reasons, ...they were the first at supplying upholstery in a kit form for Model-As, ...and later they became the supplier for authentic fabrics. With that said, their kits did not match what Ford originally supplied. Close, -but not enough to be adjudicated without major point deductions. The second largest supplier in the past was Cartouche, however their kits were even further away from being authentic. If they did offer an authentic fabric, it was because they purchased their piece-goods from L/B. The 3rd was Classtique, -and when Colleen, and later Elizabeth owned it, their authentic piece-goods came from L/B. When Michael purchased Classtique from Elizabeth, his vision was to take it to the next level by having authentic fabrics & vinyls reproduced much like the Athertons did when they had LeBaron Bonney. IMO, Mike has surpassed what L/B did with his offerings today.

While I have no desire to supply kits, there are a few of us that still create and sew interiors in-house for Model-As. From my vantage point, the bigger downfall with providing the kits is having hobbyists that can actually install them proficiently.
 
The best niche markets are for the more popular manufacturers and their more popular models. I grew up with the Mercury cars which, although popular, never quite made it into the niche market of suppliers. Convertible models did for a while but that is no longer the case. I had to learn upholstery trim work to do mine. SMS had the original type fabrics for a time but they don't carry what doesn't quickly sell so that has gone away for now.
 
Not my current car, but I have sewed upholstery for other cars, boats, and my travel trailer. And canvas and sails for the boat. I use the walking foot sewing machine from www.Sailrite.com. They also supply fabrics, but not authentic. I just use the old stuff as a pattern, or in the case of original canvas covers, make patterns out of paper. Leaning to sew and having the right equipment will do you well.
 
Hello,another top maker is http://www.aro2000.com/.They did the top for my 1949 Buick and it turned out well , only one that had correctly remade rear window area with fasteners and zippers on either side of rear curtain. Not sure if he has much for Model A but for a cabriolet might be worth asking.
 

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Clay Minton now runs the business after the original owner died. He is building a brand new facility to house the many patterns and materials and work on any cars that come to his shop. He says he has a brisk business. Clay was partner with the original owner. Clay has no interest in any other brands besides Buick and Cadillac.
 
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