OK--my car is in the garage and I have posted some "in process" pics (which were not much just yet). My husband just lovingly bought me new speakers, a new stereo, bluetooth and iPod adapter, adapters for some other functions (keeping the stereo on until I open the door and one so that the Alpine system will work with the Bose speakers) and a radio face plate (he spoiles me). So I was thinking that I would like to put just a tad bit of color on the interior--being that the interior is black and the outside will be charcoal that leaves all the possibilities open. I was thinking of white. The only parts that I will be coloring will be the passenger lettering, the steering wheel emblem and I want the new seat covers with the lettering in white---what do you think?? My other option was silver.

 

I have the brushed silver decals for the steering wheel and the airbag letters from Cyberdine Graphics. I don't think you'll find white Lori - brushed silver is the next best thing!

As far a seat covers - you mean seat skins, don't you? Again - silver is a great contrast and looks really sharp!

 

I knew I could count on you Randy. BTW---not only do I think your car is one of the nicest on this forum but I also thought your interior was totally hot and matched your car perfectly. Too much money to put into my car but I thought that I could have the silver stripe where the corvette logo is and the silver stripe under my legs--and the emblem and lettering---so silver it is. I am not a fan of red or yellow and I considered blue but I think the silver will be nice---if I could have found white I would have taken it. I know i can get it for the skins and steering wheel emblem but if I can't get the lettering for the dash it does me no good. Now don't go looking for pics on this for awhile. I just spent about 6K trying to get her ready for Carlisle and the hubby spent another 800 for the sound system. I was planning on asking my Dad for the skins and new foam for my birthday (I try to think practical these days) so that won't be until May but---just like all my other parts---getting ready now..

Thanks Randy.


Lori
I can't remember---did I ask if you were making Carlisle this year? What about any of the St Jude events?

Lori

 

Thanks for the compliments Lori! My interior is VE and all of the credit for that goes to the late Ken King. I'm sorry you never had the pleasure of dealing with him. A true Corvette enthusiast and a real gentleman. Ken never met a stranger - if you know what I mean. His passing was a huge loss to the entire C5/C6 community. His son and wife now run VE and are doing a great job.

Whenever I look at my interior - I can't help but think of Ken. I show my car nearly every week at the Pavilions. People frequently comment on the interior. When they touch the leather and comment how nice it feels - I can't help but think Ken is looking down from Heaven smiling.

If you are considering skins and foam - I highly recommend VE. I know it's a little pricey - but trust me when I tell you - you get what you pay for. I have installed Leatherseats.com skins and MAM skins - as well as a couple of sets of VE. There is a huge difference in the quality of the leather and the workmanship. Those aren't bad - it's just that VE is that good.

There is no rule that says you have buy the whole package - start with just the skins. When you can afford it, add another piece like the door pulls or the arm rests. Eventually add the steering wheel....point is when you are done, you will have an interior that will make Ken proud!

The thing that I have found is that you want to develop a theme in your head for your car. It sounds like you have - the car is being a charcoal color, and your interior is currently black. So you want to stick with the black/charcoal gray/silver theme. Introducing another color at this point defeats your theme. I did the Kewl Smoothies this year on my engine. I went with Pewter and Black, because it matched my interior. I know having your engine match the interior sounds crazy but it works for me.

As far as east coast events like Carlisle - I would love to go - it's one of my Corvette dream trips. But I live in Phoenix, maybe one day.....

I did take off this whole coming week though, to go to Barrett-Jackson. I will be there all day Tuesday through Friday. I can't wait!!!

Randy

 

Silver highlights would look good and I agree that if you want the interior to look its best, go with the VE covers. Awesome quality and fit.

 

Thanks Randy. I have been looking at VE quite a bit and yeah---expensive is a good word for them but I also think every pic I have seen of installed VE is absolutely phenominal. Speaking of under the hood and making it blend---I do not feel that is a weird or strange thing--part of the reason I was looking at white, I might have a white wolf painted under their so it will tie it all in but so far grey is in the lead (I can always make it a grey wolf). I guess to be able to get an accurate price I would have to call them--like I said before I'd like to just have someone (my father--he spoiles me to) get them for my birthday so I guess getting an accurate price would be a good idea.

Now---should I have them professionally installed or will it be something me and my husband can do? Mind you we are not experts at anything. He can change our oil and brakes---he changed his own stereo and has me terrified that he will be doing mine but I am not sure how good a job we would be able to do on the seats. I have seen where others have installed theirs and they look like great seats but I see alot of pucker and ripples---I want it perfect (I guess I am getting as **** as my husband)--well you know what I mean---I don't want us to screw it up..

Now see--you should take a weeks vacation next year and go to Carlisle. Let me know how the auction is---I love to watch it on TV---maybe we'll take a weeks vacation sometime to go to one..

Have a great time at the auction Randy.


Lori

 

I thought it would take a long time to get my car to where I wanted it but I guess my husband spoiles me so much it will be done before I know it. I think it has a little to do with the fact that his was completely done in a few months to so I think he is just giving back what I gave to him--sweet man I married..VE is definintely it--at least for my car. It looks like I will be going with Wilcox for the 76 and 84. I don't want to spend that kind of money on stuff that is being sold. The 84 is for sale now over in the C4 section and the 76 will be up for sale in a few years so going cheaper with them is ok.

I saw you were getting alot of ice out there in MO Jack--how's the weather now? Has it let up any??
We are finally starting to get that cold blast and it looks like we will finally be getting some measureable snow in the next week or so. I hate the snow...I need to be able to retire and move someplace warmer unfortunately I have at the very least 30 more years to go..That sux..

Thanks Jack. You cand Randy always have an answer for me. Glad you guys are here.

Lori

 

The VE web site has great illustrated instructions. Installing skins is not as difficult and daunting as it seems. You have to take your time, and really pull the skins tight to make them fit perfectly. It can be done by a novice. I plan to re-install mine when it warms up a bit. The leather stretches and the foam compresses so after a bit you do get some wrinkles and puckering. But if you look at the OEM skins, they have some wrinkles too.

If you are considering VE - the delivery time is about 8 weeks - depending on how busy they are. So if you want the skins by spring - you have to consider the lead time.

Installation time is about an 1 1/2 hour for the first one, and a little less for the second - you go a little faster after you have done the first as your confidence builds.

I'm confident that you and your husband could do the install, but if you have to pay there is still no absolute gaurantee that a professional upholstery shop would do a much better job than you could do yourself. And besides - if you pay, you lose out on the satisfaction of being able to say that you did it yourselves!

 

Thanks Randy,

Very true--it never hurts to try---the most that can happen is I will get pissed off and drink more than my normal 6 pack of Smirnoff Ice and continue trying. Thanks for the lead time info--guess I better get looking at this again.


Lori