47 headliner and windlace question

Posted by HH56 On 2013/9/10 11:17:12

First, a question on size of windlace. I have obtained samples of the typical currently available material in 1/2 inch core. It seems like it might be larger than what is left of the original stuff still in the car. The original has turned rock hard in spots and to powder in others and maybe shriveled as well. Kind of hard to reliably guess the size. Does anyone know if the original was 1/2 or possibly was 3/8.

Probably a moot point because what I found in a color and reasonably good texture to the original is only available in 1/2" but am still curious. At the moment 1/2" looks to be the only ready made option.

On another note, I believe it was suggested earlier the original headliner was wool. Hirsch has that material and a few months ago would make one for $800. Probably more now. Kanter has a material which I think is cotton but not sure. Anyone have a good way to tell on a small piece of material? Kanter's offering is a darn near perfect color match to Hirsch's sample and to what I think was an unfaded piece of the original. The texture is also fairly close to Hirsch's sample offering and to the original.

I'm sorely tempted to save a couple of hundred since in all probability it will have a hole cut in it for AC. Still up in the air on that one but still a possibility. Has anyone used one of Kanter's headliners recently? I used one on a 56 some 20 plus years ago and that fit OK but was nowhere close to the original in material. Just wondering how, if any, things have changed and if anyone has recent experience - good or bad.