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Beautiful job! I would be proud to have an interior like that, especially knowing I did it myself. I took the easy (and expensive) way out by sending my 1956 Clipper’s to SMS but I sure wish I had the time and talent to have done it myself.

As for the springs, I would try to put them in if possible as they also keep the handles from being rattly by giving a lot of pressure against them.

You want the springs in place. They provide tension to hold the bezels tight against the handles which captures and provides tension to hold the pins in place. Also the 1/4" foam will eventually flatten in that area.

Also, when installing the springs, the wide portion faces towards the door card. I've seen people install them the other way, and the small side of the spring then eats into the door card.

Don - I've really enjoyed doing the panels. Along with everything else I've done on the car, upholstery is a new experience for me. Learning is fun.

SMS would have done it the original way and they would have looked stellar I'm sure. But it is satisfying to do it myself. I thought I would be saving a bunch of money DIYing it, but now I'm not so sure. The vinyl alone was well over $300, plus all the other supplies, tools, consumables, etc. I think by the time it is all done I'll have saved maybe $300.

Kev - The two springs I have are different sizes. I'll get a picture later today. I don't know if they should all be the same size on the hardtop/convertibles, or if the smaller spring came from a different car.

I'll be needing 4-5 springs, 1 plastic insert, 2 chrome rings, and one more chrome ashtray. I think the ashtray is unique to the 2 door models. I'll check with Gerry to see what he's got.

-Kevin

And if you cannot find decent used in the color escutcheon insert you need Lavine Reproductions does the 51-4 style in various colors.

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Thanks for reminding me about Lavine. It doesn't look like they have the color I need, but it's hard to tell since mine are old and faded. But to me it looks like they were originally a light blue/aquamarine color. Same as the underside of the armrests, shift knob, turn lever, and seat lever. The only blue Lavine has is Packard Blue which is likely far too dark.

I suppose another option would be to paint a replacement to look close.

-Kevin

Can you send a picture? Might be possible to 3D print in the correct color if the design is fairly simple.

Also check with Joel Ray. I've bought lock knobs and other original interior plastic pieces from him over the years in the correct colors.

Here are the springs. I believe the one on the right is accurate. I have no idea where the one on the left came from.

HPH, you can see the escutcheons in the picture as well. Theoretically it should be something that can be printed, but I'm not totally sure how much wear these experience, or how much sun they will get. I may try to paint one first to see how it looks. If acceptable, then I'll go with that. If not, then I need to start looking at other options.

-Kevin

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Not sure if it works with all plastics, but I've seen videos where people hit oxidized plastic briefly with a torch, and it immediately removes the oxidation and returns it to its original color.

I've never tried it, but if you had a scrap piece, it would be an interesting experiment.

I remember my doors also having two different springs as well. But I just don't remember which one was for which handle.