TECHNICAL FEATURE
THE INTERIOR OF A CLASSIC
WE LOOK AT THE RANGE OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO INTERIOR RESTORATION — FROM SIMPLE TOUCH-UPS TO CUSTOM RECREATIONS
Acar’s interior has a tough life. Whether a classic is a rough daily-driver or a pristine concours-ready example, every interior surface is going to be subjected to some sort of wear and tear. The sun will fade dashboards and upholstery; drivers and passengers will slowly damage the carpets and door trims. No matter what you do, an interior retrim of some description will need to be factored into restoration plans.
However, the task can be daunting, even for people used to working on their own cars. An array of different materials, from carpet to vinyl to leather and onwards, combined with the cramped spaces and awkward positions needed to reach some spots, means that it’s sometimes a job better left to professionals.
Dion Hunter from Cover Me in Upper Hutt says that the difficulty in restoring an interior often reveals itself over time.
“Someone who has a go might then find it’s not just stripping parts and making patterns from the old stuff, because fabrics move and stretch over time,” he explains. “Getting it back to the original state is hard, because people don’t know all the tricks that you pick up only after years of experience and training.”
Think about what you’re handing to a professional
While upholsterers can sometimes work with half-finished projects, it makes everyone’s life easier if they can start from scratch. They can then at least account for every part needed for the build, so there’s less risk of bits and pieces going missing.
“I’ve taken on other people’s personal projects in the past, and nine times out of 10, I end up restarting from the beginning,” Dion continues. “They do things like throwing away the old seat covers, and that can actually drive the cost of the build up.”
Daniel Mcalpine from The Upholstery Company in Auckland reaffirms that experience is essential, and putting things back the way the manufacturer intended can be deceptively difficult, particularly on newer vehicles. He’s done a lot of work on Porsches — including re-covering racing seats from a particularly legendary
Ray Williams vehicle — and VW Kombi vans and found that knowledge of the best way to do things builds up over time.
“New cars are becoming ever more complex and fragile, so, normally, the toughest part of the job is getting the car to pieces and back together again,” Daniel says. “With the old cars,
“With the old cars, a lot of the pieces aren’t available any more and you have to use a bit of Kiwi ingenuity to fix the problem”
a lot of the pieces aren’t available any more and you have to use a bit of Kiwi ingenuity to fix the problem.”
However, while specific old pieces aren’t always available for classic restorations, that doesn’t mean that people need to head down a custom route and compromise on the look of their classic, as Chris Pocock of Classic and Custom Motor Trimmers, Palmerston North, explains: “People don’t always realize that we can do period-correct reproductions as well. A lot of the time, I can source the correct materials to bring an interior right back to its original state. They just have to send me a make, model, and the trim codes if they are available.”
It’s buyer beware with online ordering
Before getting to this stage, most professionals suggest doing some form of research, such as looking online or through magazines, or simply talking to people who do the work regularly. However, it is important to be careful when doing research, especially when that search ends up online.
“People look at Facebook or Youtube and that’s often the worst thing they can do,” Chris says. “They get good ideas but only half the information they need.
“They might buy a trim kit and all the tools, but then don’t realize the actual padding on the seats is 50 to 60 years old and worn through.”
A trim kit might seem like an enticing option to improve the appearance of the interior, but getting one may be ignoring how much attention is needed under the surface. For seats to be done properly, they need more than a simple retrim or new covers. To restore their functionality and comfort as well as their appearance, they need to be taken back to the springs. Once the springs are refurbished, the seats need new padding and they can then be built up from that stage. Peter Goodwin of Waikumete Car Upholsterers says that this approach does make sense for certain vehicles.
“Whereas we normally pattern, make, and fit interior trims, we recommend that if a customer has an American car that they
“People look at Facebook or Youtube and that’s often the worst thing they can do,” Chris says. “They get good ideas but only half the information they need”
source a kitset from America and we will in fit for them,” Peter explains. “We’ve had some great results from these premade kits.”
Peter and his team don’t just complete work for their clients; they’re also happy to point them in the right direction and even support people who want to take the work on themselves.
“I’m happy that they have a clear idea, but I will guide them if it’s unrealistic,” Paul says. “It’s important to trust the experts.
“If The Diyers of this world are wanting to have a go at some of the work themselves, we often advise on and supply the correct materials for each specific job. There’s a range of possibilities out there, so people should talk to a specialist before they start.”
Don’t make the interior a budget afterthought
Another frequent misconception relates to the cost involved and the time a proper restoration can take. James Simons from Hawke’s Bay Trim and Canvas says that’s the case whether someone is going for a full custom job or a ground-up restoration that can get incredibly time-consuming.
To put it in perspective, James mentions a Malibu that was brought to the shop after being gutted by fire. The final product called for custom carpets throughout, a custom dash, custom back seats, and so on. That can add up to between 100 and 500 hours of work, which comes at a price.
“People sometimes grossly underestimate what it’s going to cost,” James adds. “They can spend 20 grand on paint and 15 grand on a motor, but a good-quality interior takes just as long as a good paint job and can cost about the same, depending on how far the owner wants us to go.”
James and his team do a lot of work on classic restorations. Among these is a 1949 Ford that has been visiting the shop on and off for around five years. Newer classics are not immune from the restoration treatment. The team is currently working on an E30 BMW that’s having its seats remodelled and built up to replicate the M
Sport package.
“People sometimes grossly underestimate what it’s going to cost. They can spend 20 grand on paint and 15 grand on a motor, but a good-quality interior takes just as long as a good paint job and can cost about the same”
An interior is a make-or-break feature
Despite some misconceptions about costs, more people are becoming aware of the impact, good or bad, that an interior can have on a vehicle’s final appearance. Dion likens its effect to that of a set of wheels — something that can make or break an entire project.
“The interior and wheels make your car,” Dion says. “Everything else can look really cool, but if either of those don’t suit the car, it will let the build down.”
People are becoming more aware that they need to get it right but aren’t always aware of the options available. Dion strongly recommends having a chat with a professional before starting anything. They can at least guide people along the right track and introduce them to new possibilities, such as modifying old interiors and adding subtle improvements to seats so that they still look like the factory originals.
The result will often speak for itself, and the process of rebuilding an interior is no less exciting than any other stage of a car’s restoration. In fact, Peter Goodwin notices that the work he and his team do is enough to bring people in off the street.
“When we take on a job, we have the mentality that we own the car,” Peter says. “This mentality has built strong relationships over the years, with some
“When we take on a job, we have the mentality that we own the car. This mentality has built strong relationships over the years, with some clients sending me nine or 10 cars out of their private collections”
clients sending me nine or 10 cars out of their private collections. We also find that customers regularly pop in off the street, as there’s always something different in the shop for them to look at.”
Respecting the process, listening to advice from professionals, and making space in the budget, sets the right framework for a custom or restoration job that really enhances the rest of the car. Whether someone has planned their ideal custom build down to the final stitch; is looking for a simple factory restoration; or has no idea where to start, a local automotive upholsterer will be more than happy to shed light on the wide range of possibilities out there.