Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

To SMS? They don’t work on seats so you need to remove the upholstery and send it to them (without the seat).

Quote:

I'm repairing and using the original seat covers. I have some material on order from SMS to replace the light gray fluted portion of the seat back. Hopefully it arrives early in the New Year, just about ready for it.

I see. You’re buying the seats and need them shipped to Oregon. If available where the seat is located, try Alaska Air Freight to see if they will do something that large and heavy. I had a very long Henney-Packard tailpipe shipped to my Oregon shop that other shippers wanted upward to $3000 to transport it while Alaska Air Freight was just over $100. Of course, it would have to be taken to the airport and picked up from it on your end.

I believe the seat covers in my 53 Cavalier are 100% nylon (not the piping). Can anyone confirm this, or direct me to somewhere I could find that info?

Attach file:

---

  20231220_122311.jpg (4,566.20 KB)

This is a practice seat cover to see if I should even tackle this upholstery project. I have some EXPENSIVE fabric coming from SMS. (Last night that seat cover was a drop cloth! LOL)

My original plan was to reuse the original dark gray fabric, but it's not strong enough for a driver, so I'm replacing all the fabric on the seats. Foam, burlap, cotton etc has all been replaced inside as well.

Attach file:

---

  20231229_203602.jpg (4,275.73 KB)

I have to say that looks pretty good. You have the benefit of your seats being un-pleated. So the sewing is not as demanding and much more straightforward. Based on what I see here I think you may be able to pull it off yourself. But I hear you about the expensive fabric from SMS.

The fabric for my seats ended up being over $800. 4 yards of nylon fabric and 4 yards of vinyl. Leather is original but out of the question for this project (lead time is over a year for leather). I briefly debated doing the seat covers myself and could've had a friend teach me how. But my seats are pleated with tuck and roll, and if I were to make one mistake on measurements and sewing, it would ruin the whole panel and cost me hundreds of dollars. So I'm letting professionals do it instead.

-Kevin

One of those projects where I was completely in over my head! But I did some research, AKA watched YouTube videos, copied what Packard did, and it seems to have turned out okay.

The back does have pletes, so that is the next challenge!

Looks really good!! I have my work cut out for me !


Ive got this ugly whatever this mess is on both front and back covering the original material. You cannsee the original on the back seat arm rests.

Oh dear, that fabric is pretty bold! At least it has stripes like the original!

This upholstery work has been a steep learning curve, but that's how most projects are on my car! I had never replaced valve guides before, but did that this year too!

First, HAPY NEW YEAR to all !
My friend and I did the interior on my 37 115c and I did a series of posts about the project.

My life experiences had NO upholstery in it and Linda was an at home seamstress with no upholstery experience.

We decided that it was just pieces stitched together and if we could disassemble it and measure it than we could duplicate it.

In the postings I tried to cover the high points of the issues found.

Topic: "1937 115c touring, Upholstery"

Please check it out as a little pre new year relaxation.

Larry