Thread: Interiors-What is cost of and best material

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Looking ahead at interior install and need to know what materials are best and what to look for in cost. I would like to have leather interior, but was told at NSRA OKC show that it would be another grand. Makes a guy want to learn to sew! Any suggestions out there?

Yea, I also need to look into a sewing machine, because THE COST for a nice "name shop" interior is well beyond my budget, LOL.

The going rate for a NICE roadster leather interior is going to be in the $7K to $12K range. I attended the Goodguys Del Mar show this past weekend and looked at many roadster interiors and talked to their owners and found one that was VERY NICE, but "not done" by one of The Name shops and it was still $5K.

I guess it comes down to how much of the job you are willing, or capable of doing yourself. When you start counting up how many separate panels you need in a roadster, it's a lot, which drives up the labor time and cost. I can count 17 to 20 panels (with vinyl/leather or carpeted) in my car to do the firewall, two kick panels, two door panels, two quarter panels, behind the seat panel, 6-7 pieces of "edged" square weave carpet, and a full trunk and floor.

I'm sure that it's about like paint and body work. That cost of materials is going to be double what "you think" they should cost.

Sounds like you have been talking to the same upholsterer I am. $8k for a 32 five window. I can probably make up some of the panels and drill for fasteners, but I don't think this will knock much off. And they don't like to work with the original seat frame and springs which I wanted to use for the original '32 look. If this is the going rate, I may get to drive this thing without much of an interior for a good while. Or learn to sew! Whew.

I had a leather soft, very expensive vinyl interior made up for my roadster. It includes both kick panels, two Glide Engineering seats, both doors, a surround behind the seats, a console, a fully upholstered trunk and the top done in a Hartz type cloth, side curtains plus full carpeting and a water resistant padding. The price - well let's say it was less then expected and less then what has been noted above.

PS - 1/1/12 _ Removed the photo as changing around the Photobucket screwed the photos up

Ask your shop about ultra leather and what they charge for it.

Originally Posted by RECOVERY ROOM

Ask your shop about ultra leather and what they charge for it.

I was quoted $95/yard vs the $30-$40 for the stuff my upholsterer used!!! I came close to using it but found that it really doesn't wear as well.

We use it all the time,The last shop truck I had we used it and it looked great for the 3 years of heavier than normal use.I never gave it a second thought thru the cold winters and hot summers.That price is average.

I make all my own panels out of sheet metal and install it with the normal interior spring clips. I really does save a lot of the expense. But you should get the price first, a lot of upholsters don't like there customers to help. Ask them how much then how much if you help?
I personally would only use leather, because of it's durability to weather. It will last a long time. Nothing wrong with using other materials, just my opinion.
Ken

Hey deuce4papa give headliners a call here in Fort Worth Tx. 817-595-4445 or go to there site www.headlinercustominteriors.com. They did not quote me that much for my 32 roadster, iam sure coupe would be a little bit more. Plus they are close to you also.

I will look "Headliners" up when I visit my son there in Roanoke. Ken is right about the upholstery guys not wanting help with the interior panels. One of the local guys just grinned and said it would be no cheaper if I make panels. Nuf said there. I did ask about ultra leather and looked at a job done with it. I would rather go with leather if possible. I think I will go ahead with making my own panels and install them. I have time to price the interior at several places as I am still doing bodywork and getting ready for paint.

Leather is always the first choice,Ultra is a cheaper price is all.Some guys don't want to spend the money that leather cost.Keep in mind that when you make your own panels that you need to find out what the material gaps need to be and how the upholstery shop wants them to be held on.Also the type of material they want the panels to be made of.

Originally Posted by RECOVERY ROOM

Ask your shop about ultra leather and what they charge for it.

Isn't that a heavy vinyl, not leather? Not that it matters, a well done vinyl interior, in my opinion, looks as nice as a typical leather interior... and wears better...
"Available in a palette of 75 designer colors, Ultraleather™ convincingly captures the look and feel of genuine leather. In fact no material comes closer to duplicating the aesthetics and all-temperature comfort of fine European calfskin. When in comes to durability and abrasion resistance Ultraleather™ performs on a par with leather's legendary toughness, easily standing up to 400,000 double rubs."
http://www.gulffabrics.com/ultralht.htm

Ultra is not real leather.Half the cars I have posted on different threads have leather and the other half are Ultra or Soft touch vinyl and is hard to tell which is which.It all comes down to what you want,Nothing is like the look and smell of real leather.Vinyl looks good if sewed right,easier to clean and mantain.Alot of the cars on my website are vinyl the others are leather and they both have won many awards.Good design and craftsmanship is the main key.

Ultra in white...easy to clean

Soft touch Rave

leather

I have one other thing to add, about the type of material that is used for the backing of the material. I let the upholster choose what type he liked, he chose this some kind of fiber board, is what it looked like. I was in Kansas and got caught in a thunder storm. I kept going but got soaked. I had asked the guy what to do if this ever happened. He said don't worry about it the leather will just dry out. Well I got to my hotel and water was running out of the door, it was a mess. I cleaned it up the best I could put the floor mats in my room, didn't use the car cover to give it plenty of air. The next morning to my surprise, the interior look like a mass of wavy leather. Everything had buckled, any flat surface was a mess, all because of the backing he put the material on. So this is why I insist on using metal on all panels. If you are interested in seeing a car with it done go to my thread, "One Way to build a '32 hyboy" there are several photo's. Once the panels are made I have them powder coated so they don't rust. I have been caught in the rain after that and have never had a problem since doing it that way. Just my 2 cents.
Ken

I would very much like to have the leather. Just wasn't expecting the $8k price. I can't justify spending that much on interior. So I should find an upholsterer before making any panels. Thanks for that advice on material gaps. And thanks for the web site on materials.