Vintage Fabric Source

Where does one find vintage fabric to restore an interior of a 1914 Sedan? Our car is a Chandler so the common suppliers that cater to Fords is just not going to work if we hope to match the original material. Am I asking for the impossible?

What was the original?

Here is a sample of some material on a door. The rest of the car is missing a lot, but I can probably find good samples of what is needed for the other areas. Most of it was all cloth.

http://www.smsautofabrics.com/

Call them -They may know where to find it... Just a start...

Try Bill Hirtsch:

http://www.hirschauto.com/Upholstery-Fabrics/departments/74/.

If he doesn't have it he will know where to get it, if its available.

Well, you're going to have an interesting time with that restoration! Most closed cars of the era had either solid or striped fabric interiors, most often mohair. Your car has what appears to be a solid color mohair bordered by a Jacquard style decorative fabric. Jacquard style fabrics include brocade and damask patterned material.

Such materials are available, but you'll have two challenges. The first is finding a match to what the car originally had in it, and the second is finding a trimmer willing to take the time to do the job as done originally. I'd guess there's a third challenge, and that will be paying for that time!

The basic material is available from Hirsch, Lebaron Bonney, or other suppliers. SMS deals in a lot of unusual period fabrics, and they may have a brocade, though I've never dealt with them. My guess is you'll have to find the patterned fabric through a regular fabric store.

Nice project, good luck with your restoration!

I try to deal with SMS they would never answer there phone . When it was it was a answer service and they never got back to me . I am using Bill Hirsh. Great people to work with. Kings32

Doug at SMS has his own looms and makes many patterns. I would suggest calling him and sending a sample.

Kings32, we must have been typing at the same time. It's been a while since I've spoken to Doug, maybe things there have changed. He had odd ball patterns I've needed......

Thanks guys you have given me hope. The body is from a 1914 Chandler sedan with what we think is a Willoubghy body. This is possibly the last one left as Chandler only contracted with Willoubghy for 1914. In the end I want to do it right as there is only one pattern to go from, what is left on this car. Before we get to this stage the body (wood and aluminum will need to be rebuilt). Its a long term and costly project, but one I fell worth saving.

Here is a picture of the body today. We just brought it home about a month ago.

You see this type interior on the early electric cars. You could contact some collectors who've restored them to get leads. There were once dozens (or hundreds) of specialty weavers in the U.S. that supplied these fabrics.

Phil