1960s ‘61 Interior vinyl

[David Greenburg]

I'm looking at getting my front seat redone and trying to find the correct vinyl for the sides. Anyone know if the upholstery books of that era include either information about, or samples of the vinyl? From what I can determine it is a slightly different color than the leather, at least in the case of my trim (#65- fawn Crestwood cloth and leather).

[Clewisiii]

The Trim books are referred to as Detroit books. There was a company called Detroit Body Products who maintained the fabrics for service. They would hold on to the old materials for years and made these books for upholstery shop ordering. The company is out of buisness but everyone still uses their books and numbers for reference.

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The fabrics are separated out by vehicle in the 61 book.
I believe yours is the button style upholstery.



Unfortunately they did not separate the vinyl's by Vehicle. They are just in one bulk section at the end of the book.  I could not find one to match my light blue vinyl.




I requested a sample from SMS and they had the right blue for my light blue vinyl. So I ordered from them.



However see this darker blue vinyl used around the base of the rear seat. This is also used around the door carpet panels. SMS did not have a reference to this. They sent me samples and they were way off. I worked with a local upholstery shop and we went through many years of books and settled on a vinyl called Adriatic blue. It is not exactly the same but close.



Here is the Adriatic blue band I sewed around my door carpet.

[David Greenburg]

Thanks for that info. I was afraid the upholstery book wouldn't cover the vinyl. I have come across the Detroit Books. One of the venders (OAF?) has them online, although at that point I was looking for the cloth and leather. You are correct that mine is the "biscuit and button" style. I've got the fabric from SMS (came quickly!). I did not particularly their leather match,so I went through Custom Leather Finishers, the place David King recommended, and they did a very good match from my sample. They may be able to do the same with vinyl. I hadn't focused on vinyl. The shop I had been talking to had suggested using leather in place of vinyl. But after being referred to another shop, I was dissuaded from doing that. Among other things, the old-time sole proprietor pointed out I would still need vinyl for the welting between the cloth and leather because leather is too thick for that purpose. Also, I'm only doing the front seat, so there would be a slight mismatch since the vinyl is not quite the same color as the leather.

[Dan LeBlanc]

I have the dealer copy of the Fleetwood Upholstery Selection guide complete with fabric samples for 1961.  Real deal, 1961 Cadillac book.  Very, VERY rare.

[Clewisiii]

I have the dealer copy of the Fleetwood Upholstery Selection guide complete with fabric samples for 1961.  Real deal, 1961 Cadillac book.  Very, VERY rare.

I know. I asked the head of GM Archives if he had a reference or copy of it. They are still unpacking the move from Sterling Heights to Grand Blanc. I hope to look at one if they have it.

[David Greenburg]

SMS had the vinyl; it's a good color match, but not as "grainy" as the original. I may wind up using it if nothing closer turns up.