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Upholstery Discussion

jfb05177jfb05177Member
How about discussing upholstery options I am considering?

For the car, I plan on having something I can cruise around town and take on interstate trips. Hoping to drive it a lot. It is an early L with the two pod dash. The paint is going to be a silver/grey. I do need to watch the cost so I am currently thinking vinyl versus leather.

On the cosmetic side of the discussion, I was thinking of going with saddle colored. My few vehicles have been silver grey with charcoal, light grey and saddle interiors. The saddle did seem a bit odd when I bought the car, but it grew on me. So any comments on the color choice?

On the craft side. Does anyone know the amounts of material needed?
Seats
Dash
Console
Headliner
Bulk head (hoping to have a bump reduction)
Carpet, I was thinking the inner as well as the outer kick panels will be carpet. Also thinking the flat section of the bulkhead

Also any recommendations or warnings?

Other considerations are the plan is to ship the body and trailer full of parts to someone else to put it all together. So I am thinking headliner, carpet, kick panels and bulk head will be done after.

There are only a few local shops available to me. I visited two of them yesterday. The first, I would be afraid that my pieces would be lost amongst all the other unfinished work. The second one was a real experience. From the road, I started just to drive on. Even as I approached the door I was on high alert. Seeing the proprietor made me wish I had of keep driving. BUT, after seeing his shops (motorcycle and upholstery) and talking with him I was impressed. I have a third shop I hope to visit when I can. This third shop is recommended by the local body shop and even the second shop is respected.

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rockyrockyMember
JFB....

On the seat side, I am happy to report the Corvette C4 seats are an easy install, look good, and hold you in place well.

If you have to redo the whole interior, then you have to decide between more options, but seats with black vinyl, or vinyl with cloth insides will match your "generic" black interior easily....

Rocky
jfb05177jfb05177Member
I was thinking of a complete interior. (just to have new with new paint)

However, looking over the pieces with the uphosteror, A good cleaning and my seats and door panels would be OK.

My dash and console are a mess though with all the holes cut in them. when I get a chance I was planning on taking a pic of the lower drivers side and ask if any of those holes were needed. I think I could get a used dash and thus all I would really need is carpet and headliner. That would save me a good 2 to 3K.

a sample of the colors I was thinking about, the darker "saddle" for the dash, console and seat bolsters with the proferated lighter tan in the seat centers and headliner

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fordgtfordgtMember
Never been a big fan of saddle color interiors but you have to go with what you like.You can save a BUNCH of money by using a high grade marine vinyl that looks and feels like leather and out performs leather since you don't need to "condition" it regularly. I saved over 3k by using this instead of leather and many people can't tell the difference by look or feel.
jfb05177jfb05177Member
Thanks for the comments and info.

as for the grey exterior / saddle interior, I got such a deal on a 90 Bonniville SSE with that combo and learned to like it

I said my dash had several holes drilled for all types of attachments when I got it. I THINK the holes I have marked with blue arrows are the original ones. Would some one please verify if possible. I am thinking they would be for the odometer trip reset, a side support and the two center warning lamps. I am hoping those holes can be repaired either with plastic bumper repair methods or just bondo and glass cloth

are the warning lights available or would one have them?

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panteradougpanteradougMember
First of all, that original material, as far as I can determine is un-obtainium. Maybe Wilkinson found some, but I don't think so.

Second, you have to have the talent of an Italian seamstress to be able to sew this stuff to the level that the factory did.

I can tell you that the dual pod is a b i tch to do and make it look anywhere near acceptable.

Realistic numbers just to redo the dual pod dash are more like $1,000, on your dash.

It's much simpler to find a dual pod that is good enough to use now.


The labor to do a complete interior is about $3,500. It could go more, plus the materials when and where you can find them.


I just redid my dash going from a dual pod to a single pod. Simply put if I had to do this on a contract for a customer, figure you owe me about $5000 just for the dash.

Too expensive? Then go away and bother someone else.

Traditionally in the So California area, the good upholstery shops are in Tijuana, Mexico. That's where you can find the people who are good enough to sew this stuff together.

Call Hall Pantera. They can give you a quote on any reupholstery you want or need. They have a shop down the street from them that does their Panteras.


It requires special tables and heavy duty machines to do. Even the threads for it are special.

Again, the dual pod is as close to a nightmare to do as anything I've ever seen and you need to deal with that material bubbling off of the fiberglass when you park the car in the sun.
rmccallrmccallMember
Sorry Doug but I couldn't disagree more about re-covering a early dash. My upholstery guy has a material that matches perfectly and he has repaired several dashes and seats for me for very little money. He has replaced single panels in original seats and you can't tell which ones he replaced from the ones that he didn't .
Now,if you could find someone who could repair an L-Model dash without re-covering it...that would be nice!!!


Ron
panteradougpanteradougMember
Ron. I think of it this way.

It's ok to disagree on this stuff. In fact, that's what brings out the solutions like this. Otherwise people who have found solutions sit on their hands and no one else hears of it?

I think your guy is going to be very busy? Works for me.

What's his contact information? Without that, a post like yours is useless and seems to me, a little confrontational? Wink


On the "L", if you mean a single pod US dash, aren't they plastic and crack? My 73 is an L and came with a dual pod, so calling a single pod an "L" I don't think is entirely accurate?

Those are the ones that need to be replaced? The replacements are just fiberglass I think, unless you can find NOS.
rmccallrmccallMember
quote:
Originally posted by PanteraDoug:
Ron. I think of it this way.

It's ok to disagree on this stuff. In fact, that's what brings out the solutions like this. Otherwise people who have found solutions sit on their hands and no one else hears of it?

I think your guy is going to be very busy? Works for me.

What's his contact information? Without that, a post like yours is useless and seems to me, a little confrontational? Wink


On the "L", if you mean a single pod US dash, aren't they plastic and crack? My 73 is an L and came with a dual pod, so calling a single pod an "L" I don't think is entirely accurate?

Those are the ones that need to be replaced? The replacements are just fiberglass I think, unless you can find NOS.


Doug,

My post was not meant to be "confrontational" what so ever.
Believe me, he has way more work than he can handle at all times. Finding an honest ,fairly priced upholstery shop in this area is not easy ! I have been through several.
And I don't see how my post is useless without the contact info??? My contact info is:
McCall's Auto Works
rfmccall@Comcast.net and 410-239-2291.
And seeing as how I do this full time to make a living,that is all anyone would need to know to have their early ( two pod) dash repaired. And yes I was referring to the later single pod dash (late '72-'74) but I think that you already knew that. ;-)

Ron
F firstpanteraMember
quote:
Now,if you could find someone who could repair an L-Model dash without re-covering it...that would be nice!!!

This isnt really a repair, it is a complete recovery. but if you really need your single pod to look original this is the way to go. Just Dashes
I had this done to my single pod. It was done by a different firm but they've since gone out of business. You could probably send them one of the fiberglass repops and have it made to look original. At that time I think it cost me about $700 to have my dash done. Just Dashes was about $200-$300 more.
jtpanterajtpanteraMember
Kingwood Upholstery, Porter, Texas - 281.354.7787 ask for Mario. Upholstered my Bullfrog and Kirby Schrader's dash. My full interior was about $2500 in a leather substitute. Of course, I brought the pieces to him to cover. Mario did not have to extract it from the car. Great job on early dash. Kirby's done in leather - I don't know the cost - maybe double depending on material.

He has received other Pantera owners requests for headliners as he has done several cars with the Pantera logo.

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jfb05177jfb05177Member
NC to TX is a little farther than I care Smiler But the cost info is well aprciated. like the talks I have with the three local shops, they give an estimate for the job including material.

It will be a few weeks before the shop I decided to use can look at all the pieces and decide how much material to buy. Would a guess of 10 yards total be enough?
jfb05177jfb05177Member
I understood, all my pieces are out of the car also.

My post may have been confussing as I meant to say that the initital discussions with any uphostors is they say $250 per seat. I would perfer they say $200 labor and 1 1/2 yards.

the upholstor gave me the name of his main supplier (J&L Fabric, NC) and I have search that the vinyl prices easily go from $15 to $50 per yard.

I have listen to the polite suggestions that I consider going so bold with the saddle interior and now looking at Charcol/gray combination as this seems to be more available from the supplier.

as for repairing the holes in the dash, I have googled bumper repair and noticed there are two part epoxy products that look like they might be good.

another intersting item I have encountered, that is the lack of sporty sytle clocks that I though might go in the hole between the AC ducts. the appreacation of the rally clocks must still be there as the originals are bringing outragous high prices!

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jfb05177jfb05177Member
Could some one provide detail photos of the Brake & Brake Wear warning lamps on an L two pod dash? Mine were gone when I got the car

I had the holes in my dash repaired with bumper filler Fusor 132/133. (looks good). I left the two warning lamp holes, hopefully I can find something to install. the Uphosteror is supposed to be finishing up on a fleet project the middle of next week and hopefully I will be next
dave2811dave2811Member
quote:
Originally posted by JFB #05177:
...
another intersting item I have encountered, that is the lack of sporty sytle clocks that I though might go in the hole between the AC ducts. the appreacation of the rally clocks must still be there as the originals are bringing outragous high prices!

I found a VDO clock that looks right. I can't find the exact part number that I ordered, but if you want sporty clocks, check here:
http://www.egauges.com/SearchR...=clock&Submit=Search

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jfb05177jfb05177Member
The upholsteror called and had most of my interior ready for pickup.
the dash is still not done, he had made one attempt, but didn't work out so he will make another attempt next week.

the material colors are charcoal and grey. I am not that thrilled, but at least it is new vinyl, maybe it will look better with a silver body around it.


rockyrockyMember
quote:
I am not that thrilled, but at least it is new vinyl...


Joe -

I think that looks nice - it will look good in your car. Keep up the good work.

Is the notch in the radio panel for that light thingy on the dash? I'm not used to seeing that.

I think the rear bulkhead looks good too. Is the Hump velcro'ed on by chance? That would be a helpful mod, whatever the configuration of the metal panel underneath it.

Rocky
R 1Rocketship (Guest)
I LIKE the seat color combination!!!

There are some wavy seams, & noticeable dimples on the center console face, BUT PERFECTION COSTS BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!

I'd be happy Cheers

Might I inquire as to the total cost?

That ALWAYS has a way of putting final results into perspective.

On aside note...I've SEEN Wavy seams in MILLION dollar Ferraris!!!...Mark
jfb05177jfb05177Member
Thanks for the kind words, I have tucked the sleeves of my nomex suit in anticipation

quote:
Originally posted by Rocky:
...notch in the radio panel
...Is the Hump velcro'ed

Are you refering to the notch for the heater cables?
I started not to let them do the bulkhead till after the car is together in hopes to have a bulkhead reduction. However, I went ahead and will redo it latter.

quote:
Originally posted by 1Rocketship:
... PERFECTION COSTS BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!
... the total cost?

excellent point. I don't have the reciet with the final break down yet. I did pick the most expensive vinyl ($30/yard) so I think about $400 in materail and $800 in labor. the dash is yet to be done so their will be more labor (I might have to send it to another)

My lack of enthusiasm for the quaility could just be my attitude in general lattely. Getting the time to drive the 4 miles to pick it up and put it back in my barn was more of a challange than normal today.
R 1Rocketship (Guest)
Always remember that if cheap material costs as MUCH as expensive material to fabricate, In My Opinion, the extra $$$ is WELL SPENT!!!

$800.00 in labour sounds like a "Give-A-Way"!!! Sweet

I think the seats alone are worth $800.00!

You ONLY had to drive "4" miles?!

The DMV line where I live is "4" miles LONG Sympathy...DAMN!!!...NOW I need a drink!...Mark
jfb05177jfb05177Member
quote:
Originally posted by JFB #05177:..
another intersting item I have encountered, that is the lack of sporty sytle clocks that I though might go in the hole between the AC ducts. the appreacation of the rally clocks must still be there as the originals are bringing outragous high prices!


I think I have found a rally clock that I can afford! Instead of mounting it on the passenger's side dash, I think this would look good under the heater controls so the driver or passenger could operate the stopwatch.

Problem is...I can't find it in the US. the price shown here is from City Jewellers in Ireland.

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jfb05177jfb05177Member
My local upholsterer called and told me to come and get my dash. He tried 4 times, I don't know if it might have been acceptable for the time being as he had stripped off the last try.

Ok, let me hear "I told you so"

my plans now are to box it up and send it to a more industrialized part of the country.

JTpantera, I spoke about 5 minutes with Mario, told him You recommended him and got him to give me a quote that seems pretty good. (well under $500).

If anyone else cares to share the name of someone that could do a two pod dash, I would appreciate.

Now to find a 60 X 12 X 12 cardboard box
panteradougpanteradougMember
quote:
Originally posted by JFB #05177:
My local upholsterer called and told me to come and get my dash. He tried 4 times, I don't know if it might have been acceptable for the time being as he had stripped off the last try.

Ok, let me hear "I told you so"

my plans now are to box it up and send it to a more industrialized part of the country.

JTpantera, I spoke about 5 minutes with Mario, told him You recommended him and got him to give me a quote that seems pretty good. (well under $500).

If anyone else cares to share the name of someone that could do a two pod dash, I would appreciate.

Now to find a 60 X 12 X 12 cardboard box


The dual pod is a 'sucker'. Anyone who speaks casually about it I would suspect no experience with.

They need to show me pictures of the ones they have done for verification.


Where the pod "snoods" meet the dash is very difficult to get "just right".

I never underestimate the skills of the Italian seamstresses. I've seen the ones that sew in house for Ferrari. They are simply amazing.

The original materials are so thin and the threads have to be just right.

I went to a single pod. It is much easier to deal with.
panteradougpanteradougMember
quote:
Originally posted by JFB #05177:
My guy did inform me before beginning he didn't think he could, but I felt it was worth a try as it just cost be material (I gave him a c-note for his trouble)

Doug, when you sold your original dash, how did you box it for shipping?


It needed a box made for it. StupidDepot has HD moving boxes. I think I used those and hot glued them together?

Ask Jon Haas. Maybe he will sell it to you?
panteradougpanteradougMember
It all depends on what you expect from it. The Pantera dual pod looks innocent but is tricky.
Originally the seamstress had a few thousand to practice on AND they aren't perfect to begin. Not even close.
Many have a wrinkle or two in them and they could not pull an even line around the right pod.

That stitch should sit over the seam and some do and some don't. As a result, the size of the snood varies from car to car.

Of course one of the issues is that the original vinyl material doesn't stretch like leather does.

Like I said, it all depends on what is acceptable to you and/or, what you expect to see.
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