Replacing Interior - Advice
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: IL
Replacing Interior - Advice
I am planning on taking out the tan interior of my 1980 vette and replace with black. Any advice you can share on the logical order to follow such as start at the top and work down or floor and work up? Best places to find parts? Pit falls I should watch out for? Ways to save money and what not to try to do cheap.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
I'm in the final stages of doing this to my '74.....a very different interior from a '80....
Do make a budget (you will go over)
Do use a heat and noise barrier
Do take take your time
Do take lots of pics and notes
I was shocked how much I forgot about it when it came time to put it back together...!
Don't remove the dash if you don't have to....
Don't remove door glass without a helper...
Here's how far I tore mine down...
Here's where I'm at now.....
Cheers
Do make a budget (you will go over)
Do use a heat and noise barrier
Do take take your time
Do take lots of pics and notes
I was shocked how much I forgot about it when it came time to put it back together...!
Don't remove the dash if you don't have to....
Don't remove door glass without a helper...
Here's how far I tore mine down...
Here's where I'm at now.....
Cheers
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: IL
Great advice and and pictures. Congratulations on the progress. My current dash in the wrong color and in bad shape so I don't think I have a choice but to replace it. Did you use the old wiring or buy a new wiring package. I have listed all the parts I need and know basically what the parts bill will be. Hopefully I don't go too far over.....but as most projects do I expect to go over a little.
Good luck on the project.
Good luck on the project.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
I used my old wiring....it was in good shape and not bubba-ed....!
I went WAY over my budget.....close to double..!
Keep us posted and show us pix as you go...
I had to ask tons of questions here along the way.....and got great answers every time!
Cheers
I went WAY over my budget.....close to double..!
Keep us posted and show us pix as you go...
I had to ask tons of questions here along the way.....and got great answers every time!
Cheers
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
How much do you estimate you spent in total?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Just a thought, I find Tan interior an excellent choice, The black interior is always so hot in the summer, Dust was always showing on the black. How long has it been since heater Core was changed?? The Dash is the first Question, Are you going to have to change it?? If it is good, I would keep the color it is, & spend a few hours adding a good Leather Cond. to it. But to even spray it black, you need to use a good cleaner on it before applying the paint. Remember the color change paint, can & will crack with usage. How is the rest of the dash??? , As well as the rest of the UP. door panels, arm rest, Ect, Ect. Any thing you remove, needs to be cleaned &/or addressed, while it is out. You could set a Plan of how far you want to go. Yes, take out all the flooring, Paint, repair, Insulate, Fit, new carpet, Have a ball. Gene
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
You might consider upgrading you A/C to a vintage or classic air design. This is a good time as you are there. No matter what you try, the stock A/C sucks in these cars. I bought a kit of precut insulation my first interior resto. It is mostly complete but you might save a few bucks and buy the insulation rolls from Home Depot or Lowes. Its located in the duct work area and has foil on one side and sticky foam on the other. Worked like a champ and really sticks to the floor and dash. They also have the seam tape. $18 for 12 wide by 12 ft. roll.
Last edited by donnie1956; Mar 3, 2013 at 01:19 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Corvette America.....leather steering wheel...$109.00
14" diameter........feels awesome...little thicker, little smaller, lot better looking..!
It's all black...yer just seeing shadows....
Cheers
14" diameter........feels awesome...little thicker, little smaller, lot better looking..!
It's all black...yer just seeing shadows....
Cheers
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: IL
Thanks for all the thoughts and advice. I think the AC comment is good. I will definately consider that. Is there a good vendor for the upgraded AC? I need to take a good look at the fan too. It blows but not very strong.
In regard to the interior I agree about the black in the summer but the car has been repainted to Corvette Atomic Orange and the tan just doesn't look good. I want to do the seats and door panels in leather with black and dark orange leather. Mid American Corvette can do the seats but it is costly.
If I could figure out how I would post some pictures of my vette.
Thanks
In regard to the interior I agree about the black in the summer but the car has been repainted to Corvette Atomic Orange and the tan just doesn't look good. I want to do the seats and door panels in leather with black and dark orange leather. Mid American Corvette can do the seats but it is costly.
If I could figure out how I would post some pictures of my vette.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,192
Likes: 7
From: Wentzville MO
Thanks for all the thoughts and advice. I think the AC comment is good. I will definately consider that. Is there a good vendor for the upgraded AC? I need to take a good look at the fan too. It blows but not very strong.
In regard to the interior I agree about the black in the summer but the car has been repainted to Corvette Atomic Orange and the tan just doesn't look good. I want to do the seats and door panels in leather with black and dark orange leather. Mid American Corvette can do the seats but it is costly.
If I could figure out how I would post some pictures of my vette.
Thanks
In regard to the interior I agree about the black in the summer but the car has been repainted to Corvette Atomic Orange and the tan just doesn't look good. I want to do the seats and door panels in leather with black and dark orange leather. Mid American Corvette can do the seats but it is costly.
If I could figure out how I would post some pictures of my vette.
Thanks
I am in the process of installing Vintage Air after messing around with the stock units poor performance. The fan will never perform like you wish and now is the time since you can get to old unit out. Vintage is a complete replacement using only a few of the old duct parts. Contact Vintageair.com, they have dealers all over or you can order direct.
I purchased my carpet from Full Throttle Corvette a supporting vendor, they have good prices and service. Try a local supplier that works on boats interiors or repairs.
Last edited by donnie1956; Mar 3, 2013 at 06:09 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA