Re: 51 Door Trim Cloth and design

Posted by Larry51 On 2013/1/22 19:51:32

Here are the extra pics I wanted to post, showing some close-up shots of how the (some?) '51 door trim upholstery was formed and applied.

As surmised by HH56 it was heat and pressure pressed onto the board, and I suspect the board had been coated with some resinous material to act as a glue, thereby bonding the cloth and vinyl only where the pressure and heat was applied, at the same time forming the pattern (- the squares in broadcloth as well as the lines on the vinyl).

Came across an interesting Patent at Decorative Upholstery Panel

The patent describes heat & pressure forming so fits the bill. Scroll down the PDF to see origins etc and details of the process.

It appears that trim for Packards was manufactured by National Automotive Fibres Inc. of Detroit, as Packard /Studebaker is mentioned as one of their clients - see History of National Automotive Fibres Inc

It is still necessary for me to discover whether SMS or other companies can properly replicate the 'embossing' on their replica door panels to create an identical effect, and not just a 'stitched' look-alike.

Can anyone please advise if they know of such a company?

Close-up of my '51 door trim with 'embossed' squares on the cloth


The heat & pressure used has created a groove in the 'masonite' backing . . .


The vinyl is also embossed and glued to the backing in same process