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Alright, I need some help from the forum. I need to order some carpet to replace the soggy mouse nest material that was formerly carpet in my dad's '68. I believe the interior is light saddle, but I could be wrong(wouldn't be the first and definitely not the last). I need help deciding what color to go with. If the car does get new paint, it will be the exact same black/metallic red stripe that the car currently has. I don't care about being original or '68 correct, this is a restomod and nothing in there is '68 correct anyways lol.
Here's how the interior currently looks minus the parts I have removed for mandatory cleaning. I'm working on scrubbing all the vinyl clean right now.
So option 1 is keeping the color the same(light saddle?)
Option 2 is dying all the vinyl black which is what I was leaning towards other than dust always being seen. The more I think about it, the more I think the interior being saddle could look nice cleaned up.
Decide what color you want the interior to be (you can change from any color to any other color easily, with the right interior dye). Purchase SEM (or other good quality brand) liquid vinyl dye from about any professional auto body paint supply store. They can mix it to a color code or to match a sample you bring in. Remove the interior components; clean them WELL with detergent/cleaner; rinse them WELL with lots of clean water; allow to dry completely.
Spray (with your equipment or a Pre-Val gas/bottle sprayer) two light, covering coats of dye on your parts, and allow to dry completely. Purchase new carpet in color of choice. Install carpet (over heat barrier material, first), then install interior.
Purchase new carpet in color of choice. Install carpet (over heat barrier material, first), then install interior.
Haha this is pretty much why I'm asking for input on the color from the forum. You guys have seen all the combos. I want to order the carpet this week so I have it, but I'm torn on which to choose.
Has black on black been overdone? I'm used to black leather interior in my pontiac g8, but I also have had modern ac to counteract the scorching heat from the black interior.
68 had a unique interior color called tobacco, could yours be that color? Lou.
I doubt it because most of the interior is from later years. Seats aren't original, steering column had the ignition so it's not original, dash doesn't have the ignition so it's not original, etc. The original interior was red, and I can see that some parts were originally red and dyed at some point.
I vote keeping it Saddle. Black is always a solid and classy choice, but you might not like how hot it'll get when you're cruising around with the top down. A lighter color like Saddle will help reflect some of that heat away, which your back and legs will thank you for if you leave the car parked for very long, like at a show or cruise-in.
From that one picture honestly most of the interior looks fine, just dirty, and as 7T1vette pointed out you're going to have to get it all squeaky clean in order to dye it anyway. Why not wait until it's all good and clean before deciding on color and ordering your carpet? If a majority of the panels are going to need to be replaced, then changing colors is no big deal. If most can be reused, then you'd be saving money keeping it as is.
Ultimately it's your call and what you'd be happy with.
I think that black carpet with dark red (not bright red) seats and panels would look super.
I do not subscribe that any color is "overdone" there is a great reason black is popular...it looks so darn good,
Black will work with almost any color exterior, but so will "tan" red also has a good look in black cars and mixing red and black also looks great in some cars, but to me starts taking on a c5 and up modern effect, some people dig making the classic c3 look more modern.
I'm indecisive good sir. I like getting input and ideas from everyone.
Originally Posted by 7T1vette
I think that black carpet with dark red (not bright red) seats and panels would look super.
Hmmm, that could look pretty cool. Maybe all blab interior, with black and dark red seats and some red accenting on the door panels.
Originally Posted by The13Bats
I do not subscribe that any color is "overdone" there is a great reason black is popular...it looks so darn good,
Black will work with almost any color exterior, but so will "tan" red also has a good look in black cars and mixing red and black also looks great in some cars, but to me starts taking on a c5 and up modern effect, some people dig making the classic c3 look more modern.
All this is moot...your car your choice
True on it looking more modern like that. To me that isn't a big deal. I may swap to led lighting in the dash to brighten everything up, I don't mind modern lol.
Originally Posted by ORANGEBROTHERS
I always go with the trim tag colors; keep it original, its worth more in the end should you decide to sell.
All bright red, pretty much the one option off the table. I've never liked the look of full red interior. Also, the resale value of the car doesn't matter to me. My dad owned this car for about 42 years, I plan on owning it till I'm gone.
Keep up with the ideas guys, love hearing your thoughts on what would look cool.
First I'd be interested in what the tag says. If its a stock car heading back to original is my vote, but this is a race car. Its got wheel flares and other mods, so "original" is WAY far from where you are now. So I say any color is fair game.
There was a thread a while back where somebody was looking for pics of a black car with saddle interior, and there weren't to many to be found. I think black on saddle is a really sharp combo. Especially in a vert where you will see the contrast with the top off.
these are my thoughts...
Last edited by Crafty12; Jan 27, 2015 at 07:25 PM.
Reason: I used the wrong 'flare'
True on it looking more modern like that. To me that isn't a big deal. I may swap to led lighting in the dash to brighten everything up, I don't mind modern lol.
All bright red, pretty much the one option off the table. I've never liked the look of full red interior. Also, the resale value of the car doesn't matter to me. My dad owned this car for about 42 years, I plan on owning it till I'm gone.
Keep up with the ideas guys, love hearing your thoughts on what would look cool.
Lol, not in a "what it came with sort of way" but it just dawned on me which car this is,
I would have to grind hard what would "dad" have liked in it or like my dad would he have said do what you want to it?
Now that I know which car it is I would have to go with black...
I plan to run led back lights on my gauges,
While led back lighting gauges is modern yet it isn't so much of a classic ruiner like pimp wheels or clear tail lights,
just to me I really would hang onto the survivor old school looks for this baby....
Lol, not in a "what it came with sort of way" but it just dawned on me which car this is,
I would have to grind hard what would "dad" have liked in it or like my dad would he have said do what you want to it?
Now that I know which car it is I would have to go with black...
I plan to run led back lights on my gauges,
While led back lighting gauges is modern yet it isn't so much of a classic ruiner like pimp wheels or clear tail lights,
just to me I really would hang onto the survivor old school looks for this baby....
Guess I forgot that not everyone knows which case is mine. Oops. I like led lights, nice bright and crisp lighting.