Paul Falabella Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 This past winter I replaced the torn and ratty headliner in my 55 Roadmaster, with a new one from SMS. Color matched perfect but I was a little PO'ed that I couldn't get it drum tight despite many hours trying. I finally gave up,conceding it looks better than before. Recently I purchased on eBay full years 1955,56,57 Motor Trend magazine. I was surprised to find a road test on a brand new 55 Lincoln with a headliner that looks like I installed it! Also, frequently mentioned in road tests are how badly the car rattles and whether it had good or bad build quality. You can take "they don't make em' like they used to" different ways, but if it's good enough for Motor Trend, It's good enough for me! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialEducation Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Well, they were road testing a F*rd... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Headliners installation is no easy task. Even the guys at the factory can attest to that. Paul, yours looks great! Like it came from the factory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 Bring it to Texas and park it in the sun for a few hours and it will fit! Actually the reason it does not fit is because it was sewn wrong. If a seam is off by even 1/8" it will never work. Best to have one sewn locally by coping the old headliner (that I will bet fit very well). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poci1957 Posted August 29, 2016 Share Posted August 29, 2016 3 hours ago, Paul Falabella said: This past winter I replaced the torn and ratty headliner in my 55 Roadmaster, with a new one from SMS. Color matched perfect but I was a little PO'ed that I couldn't get it drum tight despite many hours trying. Hey Paul, do not feel too bad, I got an SMS headliner and I had to order another elsewhere and asked for my money back. Later a thread appeared here on the site and it seems this is a recurring problem for them. It is great they are there to serve our need for material but their headliner patterns are not working, Todd C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted August 29, 2016 Author Share Posted August 29, 2016 Thanks, After looking at the job they did in the Lincoln factory, I don't feel so bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Falabella Posted August 29, 2016 Author Share Posted August 29, 2016 2 hours ago, old-tank said: Bring it to Texas and park it in the sun for a few hours and it will fit! The car came from Alabama. That's why the first one was toast!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttotired Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Take it to a trimmer, A lot of the ripples can be taken out with heat, but you have to be careful The one I did on my dodge was cloth, so heat wouldnt work on that, but I got it right after a couple of days fiddling around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted August 30, 2016 Share Posted August 30, 2016 Didn't some shops use a STEAM gun? I can't say if it would work on vinyl though, maybe. Dale in Indy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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