Re: Interior restoration question

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2010/12/20 11:35:55

As to your seats, Packard used coil springs, thick horsehair padding and quality underlayment between the springs and upholstery rather than the interlinked flat "spring" assemblies, foam and artificial underlayment commonly used in cars of today (and most of its competitors in the day).

Certainly not true of all models and years, for example the 22/23rd series juniors used the simple zig-zag (flat) spring style you describe, while the Custom 8 still used the individually wrapped and adjustable Marshall springs construction.

The material I'm familiar with is Bedford Cord, not Bedford cloth though perhaps it's known by both names. It was most often used in conjunction with leather in a combination seat upholstery in convertibles as an option. The heavy wool broadcloth (Laidlaw more often than not) used for example in the closed seniors and juniors prewar was a remarkably durable and long-lasting material, witness the number of such cars that still have original and completely serviceable seats showing little wear even after 70 years or so. I agree that Bedford cord didn't wear as well as the wood broadcloth.

Though it's not stain-resistant, to me the easy choice for a closed prewar car is the original style wood broadcloth. Readily available in many patterns and weights.