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Guys,
My car needs a ton of new interior parts like door panels, console, seat covers, rear storage compartment and convertible top. I am looking at the different catalogs and have a few questions:
a) Are these parts all from the same supplier or are they different?
b) Do you need to buy all parts from the same vendor or will they match up vendor to vendor?
c) Who has the best quality?
d) Leather or vinyl seat covers?
This car is a driver not a show piece so originality is not as important to me as durability or functionality.
Kevin
I would try to buy from one vendor, that way if you have any problems, they will not have to argue about someone else's part being the problem. AND, someone like Willcox has specials and gives a forum discount which may help pay for the freight. don't know where you live, but they may close enough to travel there and see them in person. They even may have package pricing for interior parts bought together.
Get a list together and start calling vendors, but ask who's merchandise they sell and if it is in stock!
Unless interior panels are broken or torn beyond repair (door panels and seats get that way on occasion), you can repair/patch your present interior pieces, then recolor them with SEM "ColorCoat" vinyl dye and make them look good as new. And, they will still fit like they should.
Repair and recolor any existing pieces that can be salvaged. The replacements you buy will not be as good...and will likely need to be recolored to match what you have now, anyway.
If you have small cracks/tears in panels, use polyester body filler to fill in the damage and smooth it over. When getting firm, use a toothpick or other method to etch some similar graining into the surface so the repair won't be seen. Recolor the entire panel.
Al Knock has the best interior parts in my opinion as well as the top replacement.
Originally Posted by lvmyvt76
I would try to buy from one vendor, that way if you have any problems, they will not have to argue about someone else's part being the problem. AND, someone like Willcox has specials and gives a forum discount which may help pay for the freight.
Unless interior panels are broken or torn beyond repair (door panels and seats get that way on occasion), you can repair/patch your present interior pieces, then recolor them with SEM "ColorCoat" vinyl dye and make them look good as new. And, they will still fit like they should.
Repair and recolor any existing pieces that can be salvaged. The replacements you buy will not be as good...and will likely need to be recolored to match what you have now, anyway.
If you have small cracks/tears in panels, use polyester body filler to fill in the damage and smooth it over. When getting firm, use a toothpick or other method to etch some similar graining into the surface so the repair won't be seen. Recolor the entire panel.
I never thought of this for my seat covers. It might be worth a try to just replace the foam (every bump reminds me there's no cushion left) and recolor the original seats.
Actually, I DID replace the foam in the seatcover 'channels'. The main body foam piece was fine; but the channel foam had turned to yellow dust, over the years and there was no 'padding' left in them.
Here is a photo of one of the seat backs 'after' re-stuffing the channels with foam.
I have a write-up for the procedure I used, if you are interested. Just send me a PM with your e-mail address and I'll send it to you.
And Al Knoch is the maker of the interiors....thats his only business is in manufacturing Corvette interiors.........well hes expanded to include Firebird and Camaros too
I bought my first cat, a 62 Impala SS convert, white with a red interior. The dealer had re-dyed the seats to make it look better, of course, to make more money. Anyway, on one of my first dates with my girlfriend, she was wearing white pants(looked real good!), when she got out, the back of her pants were a light pink color!!! Well she was a wonderful girl and forgave me for the pink colored pants. Just be careful on dying seats, now this was 40+ years ago, they have improved dye by now.
PS:WISH I HAD THE CAR AND THE GIRL TODAY!!!!!!
Last edited by lvmyvt76; Nov 13, 2013 at 08:21 AM.