Custom upholstery

[Mikel]

Hello,

I have a 1966 Toronado with a fairly decent interior. The problem is that after 38 years, the vinyl is starting to show its age and is starting to crack with use. I plan on driving my Toronado as much as I can, and I would like to replace the seat covers. Of course, nobody makes seat covers for early Toronados, so I was considering going to an upholstery place to have my old covers replicated. Any idea how much $$ I would be looking at?

Thanks,

Mikel

[rocketraider]

I had the front and rear seats and new vinyl top done on the 69 for about $900 in 1999. This was using readily available GM Madrid grain black Naugahyde instead of that metallic-thread "Empire" double-knit cloth it came with. The shop was able to duplicate the original seat pattern except for the "octopus" stitching in the backrest top panels. (Truth be known I always thought that was kinda gaudy anyway. I don't miss it.)

Depending on where you are, it may cost more, but a good trim shop won't have any problem making the covers. Mine is a Strato-Bench seat which is fairly complicated to take apart. If you have the Standard square-backed bench seat it may be less expensive yet.

[Grimm]

My friend talked to a place (can't remember the name right now) to do the seats in his Tempest Custom S since they don't make bench covers. He was quoted like $45 a yard (I don't recall if it was a square yard) for his car.

[rocketraider]

Grimmy, upholstery yardage is measured by linear yards. Most of it is either 54 or 60 inches wide.

$45 a yard isn't an outrageous price. I paid SMS $60 a yard for the Hurst's Comfort-Weave and $55 a yard for the wet-look Naugahyde. Went ahead and got enough to do the back seat too when that time comes, since I figure it won't get any cheaper.

[Guest imported_DaveZZZ]

Hi Glenn,

I have spoken with SMS about getting the yardage for my 67, and I think the price was about the same. Was the $900 you mentioned for just the installation using yardage you bought yourself?

My project is entering a frustrating phase where there are a few things I need to let a pro do, but I don't know who to trust, and I hate the idea of letting some hack at the car.

On a positive note, I finally got the digital photos from my brother-in-law, so I posted a couple on the photo section (if anyone cares).

-Dave

[rocketraider]

No. The $900 was for shop supplying all material. Toro uses Madrid grain vinyl which is still commonly available, I think in all the colors. 'Course black or white makes things simpler...

The trim shop that I use here, who does a lot of old cars, couldn't get the Comfort Weave or wet-look thru their suppliers so it was back to trusty SMS. I'm waiting on a reply from them now about cloth for a 1964 98 Custom Sports Coupe I'm looking at, and I will say up front that its availability will determine whether I do more than look at the car. I don't mind substituting some Doeskin vinyl for the original leather, but the cloth has to match.

Dave, hook up with some local AACA members. They'll know who is old car-friendly and does quality work at a reasonable price.

Just curious- what color interior does your 98 have? Friend down in SC has a Spring Special (triple yellow) and was able to find the Ostrich grain that it used in yellow no less.

[Guest imported_DaveZZZ]

Ok, well, the interior is black. The rear seat is probably a 7/10- it would be excellent, except that it has begun to wear at those covered-wire edges. The front is near perfect- except that someone along the line recovered the front seat with the wrong material, and did not match the pattern (the 98 had a rough-textured line pattern where the um, hind-quarters and lower back touch the seat).

The color is black, and SMS tells me that they can provide the yardage with those patterns stamped in. Since they seem to come highly reccomended, I thougth I would but from SMS and find an installer.

I just today finally got around to sending in my OCA and NEOC applications. However, I am really chomping at the bit to get the top done before the driving season starts. I can wait til next year on the seats, I suppose.

-Dave

[Grimm]

"I paid SMS $60 a yard for the Hurst's Comfort-Weave "

Actually that was the place I couldn't think of.

[Mikel]

Thank you all!

[rocketraider]

Dave, talk to a good upholsterer first and get them to estimate how much material you'll need. If they can supply the bolster material they may be able to do the job cheaper than if you bought it all from SMS.

They came thru with that 64 Ninety Eight cloth (beautiful stuff BTW- why can't we get interiors like that in cars NOW <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />?. Now to decide if I really need another full restoration project. I already have one non-running 64 Olds in the yard.