WhipperSnapper Posted September 5, 2019 Share Posted September 5, 2019 Hello Everyone! I'm restoring a 1951 Buick Super Riv. sedan. According to the data plate, the interior should be gray cloth, but what I have is this grayish blue (more decorative) fabric. I'm guessing that this was done sometime in the 80's or early 90's. The interior is in really nice condition, so I'm planning to put it back into the car as-is to save a little money; just replacing the carpets and headliner. I need to know what fabric style / color this is before ordering a replacement headliner. I'd also like to know what color carpet would have come with this interior color. When I purchased the car, the carpets were black aftermarkets. The headliner matched the seats and side panels exactly. This could be completely custom, but I have a feeling that it's a period correct kit, just based on the fit of the original headliner and door panels. Any assistance that you guys could provide would be most appreciated! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted September 7, 2019 Share Posted September 7, 2019 Headliner should be a light tan, felt-like, cotton fabric and definitely not the same as the seat fabric. That interior door panel in your photo is after-market. There should be a horizontal, thin, stainless steel strip about 2/3rds of the way up the door panel. You need to "Google" 1951 Super interior photos and familiarize yourself with them. Ignore the convertible interiors--they are completely different. Not sure about '51, but in 1950 and 1949 the front floor covering would have been a black rubber floor mat and the rear floor covering would have been carpet. No one sells the rubber floor mats to my knowledge and they trap moisture under them anyway, so go with all carpet. I like your two "inspectors" in the door panel photo! Pete Phillips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhipperSnapper Posted September 8, 2019 Author Share Posted September 8, 2019 Hello Pete. Thank you for the insight! I see what you're talking about on the doors... Here's how the interior looked when I purchased the car. The doors, visors, pillars, and seats are in excellent condition. I'd like to use as much of it as possible, to save some money and just enjoy the car. As a side note, I've also got a '55 Cadillac coupe restoration going that's going to be VERY expensive to complete. Any money saved on the Buick will be diverted there. So, what would you recommend, given what I've got to work with? The interior is more blue than green. These photos are a bit deceptive. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kestrel Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 I'm also restoring a '51 Super Riv. Model 52. I bought a front and rear carpet set from Newark Auto. It's a decent quality, easy to install, not too much money. I can provide a few close ups of the doors if you desire. Have fun ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhipperSnapper Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 Thanks! Close ups of the doors would be very helpful. Is your headliner original? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kestrel Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Yes, headliner and doors are original. It looks like the headliner was originally grey. When I removed the antenna mount it was grey underneath. Now it's all brownish tan. The Trim No. is 64. Paint No. is 25 as appears on the body tag. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhipperSnapper Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 Yeah, I'm missing all of that stainless door trim. Dang it. 😕 Does anyone out there have a set of door panels for a 51' Super that they aren't using / don't need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhipperSnapper Posted September 10, 2019 Author Share Posted September 10, 2019 My interior trim code is also 64. I understand that to mean gray cloth, gray headliner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted September 10, 2019 Share Posted September 10, 2019 Sent you a PM. Also check out Hometown Buick website as I believe it provides information on interior trim codes. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Phillips Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 (edited) WhipperSnapper, your interior is in very good shape, even if not 100% correct or original. I would leave it as-is and just enjoy the car as-is. Put your $$$ into that two-door Cadillac--you will stand a good chance of getting back whatever you invest in it when it comes time to sell it. Can't say that about a 4-door sedan Buick, even though I like the Buick better than the Cadillac, which is why I'm here. The Buick has way more character and charm than a '55 Cadillac, in my book. Pete Phillips P.S.: I forgot to add, the only door panels and chrome trim that will fit your car are those from another Super Riviera sedan, model 52. Don't make the mistake I did years ago when I was young and inexperienced. A regular Super four-door sedan (model 51) has shorter door panels and chrome strips than a model 52! That's because the model 52 wheelbase is longer and the length is made up in the front and rear doors and floor pan. Edited September 13, 2019 by Pete Phillips The P.S. (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhipperSnapper Posted September 13, 2019 Author Share Posted September 13, 2019 Thanks for the advice Pete. I appreciate it. 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-g-g0 Posted September 13, 2019 Share Posted September 13, 2019 16 hours ago, Pete Phillips said: P.S.: I forgot to add, the only door panels and chrome trim that will fit your car are those from another Super Riviera sedan, model 52. Don't make the mistake I did years ago when I was young and inexperienced. A regular Super four-door sedan (model 51) has shorter door panels and chrome strips than a model 52! That's because the model 52 wheelbase is longer and the length is made up in the front and rear doors and floor pan. Pete Just curious. Are the 51 Super Riviera sedan panels different that a Roadmaster rear door panels? Would the stainless trim be different? I have 52 Roadmaster trim if it will work for him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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