Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I was wondering what it would cost to do the interior in a 1956 Caribbean. Everything door panels and seats and rug. Also what would it cost to do the convertible top. Thanks

Depends upon where you live (average labor costs) + the fabric you want (reproduction versus generic) + quality (highly variable rates/results)
Same as with any other car, basically, new or old.

I can do the door cards and carpeting for a better price and lead time than SMS. Everything else would be a question for your local upholstery shop. Figure necessary material quantities and get pricing from SMS on any of the special fabric. Fortunately all but one side of the seat cushions is normal leather and vinyl but the total will still be significant, even for just materials.

What is the trim code?

Thanks for the replies I came across a 1956 caribbean that someone was restoring and past away before it was done. I always hate to hear stories like that. For what they are asking plus what it will cost to finish it its probably not worth it. I believe the person had a lot in to it but what its worth done maybe alot less.

I would imagine the one in central eastern PA? I have seen it in person and it’s owned by a relative of a friend. If you would like to discuss more, PM me your phone number and I can tell you my thoughts on it.

If it was the one from Leighton, I talked to one of the guys that worked on it. I was told that seat cushions were done sitting in Ohio (?) and some chrome was finished sitting on a shelf at the place that did the work.

if this car is the Leighton one, please post pictures of the progress.

I just replaced the top on our '55. It cost $3,500 plus material (~$500). He glued a very thin cloth material on the underside to it to be the correct color.

Looking for leather in the correct color to do the complete interior carpet included. I have a quote of $20K plus material. Its looking like we will need to dye the leather.

Where are you getting the carpet from?

When I was doing my 55 Caribbean, the guy who produced the stainless steel brake line set( probably the best aftermarket piece I have ever purchased) was doing a restoration of a 55 Caribbean and did not like the carpeting being offered by any of the suppliers…..wrong weave/ loop.
In order to get the right carpet he was required to buy a whole run of carpet…some outrageous square footage…and had it dyed to the available colors. He had someone cutting the carpeting and producing a carpet set with the heel pads.
The carpet was a bit more expensive than what I had been quoted by Klass who produced the interior for the car but….
If you look on postings around 10 years ago, the vendor should be listed. I know that Howard was familiar with the source.

I have no idea whether the seller is still in business…or alive…but his primary operation was producing stainless brake line systems for Corvettes.

I noted that Marsten indicated that he was quoted a price for a replacememt top where a fabric liner was glued to the inside.to color match the interior. I had received a similar top from Klass that looked fine when the top was up but did not do well when trying to retract the top because of the extra material. It may have just been the way the install was performed . I would be curious as to whether same problem existed for the one referenced.
My “ solution” was expensive. My trimmer secured the pinpoint vinyl for the top and I secured a color match water based dye from a supplier in California and sprayed the tan interior to match the interior color. Superior Tops then produced the top from the material.
Again…not sure if they survived the Pandemic…my trim guy did not…and whether they would do it again..

One thing is certain…outsourced work for chrome, interiors , tops, etc makes Restoratiom a lot more expensive each year.

My second hand interior information from Randy's Caribbean. SMS needed almost a year to make cloth and dye leather and match pattern on leather. Then the guy who did the actual making of seat and door panels was another year including sick time for the craftsman. His work is near perfect. Think carpet and trunk liner was sourced from Joel Ray. On a couple of other interiors my Clippers took almost two years including getting material made. My brother had seats made for his Studebaker President both of which came from well known Studebaker guy who was overbooked and slow getting worst due to age. Seems to be issue with people doing interior pant and chrome work for old cars. May be that a craftsmen who are engaged with old car work are at best slow and over booked for work. All we can hope is that job gets done in our life time. Maybe these are issues that cause many restoration to be never completed. Good luck and hang in is my advise and past experience