1960 Cadillac Interior Replacement / Seat Upholstery

[mark tyra]

1960 Cadillac interior / restoration

I need some suggestions and reccomendations re: my 1960 Cadillac series 62 Convertible.

It is time to redo the Front and Rear Leather Seats. They are gone. I know Jenkins can create a killer interior, but I am looking for some other reccomendations for comparison pricing. Has anyone ever used Fryer Upholstery out of Washington state. They advertised correct materials and patterns for $1480 for ready to install seat covers, Front and Rear. Anyone ever used them. Who else is out there?

One more... My Rear Window frames are broken "Surprise!". Who offers the most bang for the buck in replacements?

Thanks Guys!
Mark Tyra
Prospect, Kentucky

email me at: mark@milestonemotorcars.com

[quadfins]

Have you considered contacting a local auto upholstery business? The correct materials can be obtained or matched, and the patterns can be duplicated. Check the yellow pages, and sit down and talk with them.

I did it, with great results, right down to the door panels.

[Rick Payton]

Bob And Janes Upholstery
11371 S Whispering Pine Rd
Huntingburg, IN
(812) 683-4777

They are about an hour from you in Prospect. I highly recommend they... They did my 1959 and I was thrilled

[Greg McDonnell]

Mark,

I agree with the two posters ahead of me in this thread.  I purchased NOS vinyl for my '66 Toronado from Original Auto Interiors and had a local shop with whom I've worked before tackle the project. The owner of the shop had worked on Toros like mine when they were just 'used cars' so he was familiar with them.  He had my car's original interior to use as patterns as it was very much intact but had merely morphed into a not so nice looking shade.  There were a couple of small splits on the driver's seat but nothing really too bad.  He matched the original factory seat covers and door panels beautifully.  I couldn't be more pleased!  I'm confident you can find a replica of the original leather (grain and color) used in your car from any number of vendors on this website or in Hemmings.  It shouldn't be too difficult for an experienced local upholstery shop to duplicate your '60 Series 62's interior.

Best of luck with your project and let us know how it turns out.

Greg McDonnell
CLC #20841
 

[Greg Powers]

As the previous members have stated there are a number of directions you can take on having your interior replaced. The very first question would be is this a show car to be judged, a near factory restored driver, or just a driver for pleasure. Each category would suggest a slightly different choice of interior. For show cars Lewis would be my first choice, for the others there are  many good choices and I'm sure some good local folks you could deal with and have that additional personal input. Good luck with whatever strategy you choose!

[Walter Youshock]

If you are concerned about resale value, the most original and best really will cost the most, but will also be WORTH the most at sale time.

Correct color, pattern and patina make an interior.  And, no matter what, there really is no way to truly replicate all 3 in a replacement interior.  The color an pattern can be there, but, unless it "matches" the paint and chrome, it might show as new.  Likewise, a repainted car with show chrome and an original interior kinda doesn't look "right".

[Chris Conklin]

They advertised correct materials and patterns for $1480 for ready to install seat covers, Front and Rear.

Do you have a price from Jenkins also? I know they won't advertise a price, you have to talk to them. I would think they they would be maybe $300 or so more. In the scheme of things, not too much of a premium for what you would get. You plan to keep and use the car I assume? It may be hard to do, but I would make the investment in Jenkins. Especially in a 1960 convertible, beautiful car.

[Carfreak]

Do you have a price from Jenkins also? I know they won't advertise a price, you have to talk to them. I would think they they would be maybe $300 or so more. In the scheme of things, not too much of a premium for what you would get. You plan to keep and use the car I assume? It may be hard to do, but I would make the investment in Jenkins. Especially in a 1960 convertible, beautiful car.

$1480 for ready to install seat covers, front & rear?   Doesn't sound like leather or not very good quality if it is. 
If the seats are original, you will also need to replace the foam and pay attention to the spring base, etc.  Most of the time with this era car it is best left to the professionals. 

$1480 or even '$300 more' likely won't even buy you the materials (correct leather & vinyl) from Jenkins.   Yes, a 60 convertible is worth the investment to do a good job and if you can afford it, Jenkins is one of the best.  For a complete 60 convertible interior from Jenkins I think the price is close to $7k or more (reupholstered seats & door panels not sure if anything else is included) 

[srk1941]

Having bought a Jenkins interior for my '41 convertible, ten years ago, I think the 7K is much more of an accurate ballpark.

[Greg McDonnell]

If you are concerned about resale value, the most original and best really will cost the most, but will also be WORTH the most at sale time.

Correct color, pattern and patina make an interior.  And, no matter what, there really is no way to truly replicate all 3 in a replacement interior.  The color an pattern can be there, but, unless it "matches" the paint and chrome, it might show as new.  Likewise, a repainted car with show chrome and an original interior kinda doesn't look "right".[/quote

I have to disagree with the last sentence.  My '66 Eldorado has had the firemist paint refinished, the original top replaced, some of the chrome replated and most of the stainless polished.  The leather interior is original and was well maintained over the car's 'lifetime'.  I did refresh the leather with black dye from Color Plus Leather Restoration as well as using another product from this company to 'feed' the leather and add hydration.  But, I would not have considered removing the original leather and replacing it with new leather.  The gently worn leather with its age creases adds a tremendous amount to the vintage look of the interior!  I'm proud to show the car with its original leather still intact!  Back in November of '06, the head AACA judge who was part of the team who judged my Eldorado, told me personally how much she enjoyed seeing the original interior still in the car and looking so good.  Later that day my car received its Senior First Place National Award! 

Greg McDonnell
CLC #20841

[Chris Conklin]

What the heck was I thinkin'?!? Gotta stay of the forum after margaritas!!

[Greg McDonnell]

I purchased my '66 Eldorado in October of '95.  At some point in '96, I contacted Jenkins about either a new convertible top or new carpet for the car.  Without requesting a quote from them regarding my car's leather interior, they prepared and sent one along with the info I had requested.  I'm a numbers guy-I can remember a number or sequence of numbers and forget the name of the person who told me!  The point is, I recall that quote being $6,500 to redo the leather interior (door panels included) of my Eldorado.  I about keeled over when it read it.  I'm SURE they would have done an impeccable job.  I wasn't interested in replacing my car's interior and still am not.  But, 13 years ago that's what they wanted to do the work and that did not take into account the labor involved in removing and reinstalling all that leather. 

Greg McDonnell
CLC #20841