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Heather,

The more you do it, the easier it gets! Looking forward to many more posts.

Kacarlson, sorry for taking over your thread.
I never felt confident about making comments around all you blokes". But this topic I'd had some experience with.

The car was built in Detroit, and the only history we know is that it came to Canberra for the American Embassy and maybe later was used for by the navy?
Sometime later it made its way down to Melbourne and was registered for the first time by a private owner in 1952.
My dad bought it from this man who owned a Motor Gararge in the city of Melbourne. I have the newspaper advert for the sale of the car that dad cut out at that time.

When my brother John and I were getting the car ready for the 2007 National Rally I decided to investigate whether these leather seats were in fact covering up original wool.
After having the seat scwabb out upside down on a table and undoing heaps of clips I discovered the same wool as the rest of car. I couldn't peel the whole cover off because it's made with very thick leather and is such a perfect fit, but I could feel it has the same original pleating as the 39 should.
I was able to cut a section from the front skirt part to replace the top panel of one of the armrests which was too threadbare and dirty. Was able to hand sew it in place without removing it from the car.
Car must have been professionally recovered in oz, maybe after excessive use? The arm rest on front door and the swinging hand support are all done in leather to match.

I received samples from Kanter, Hirsch and sms.
Sms samples came a bit late for me as we were almost ready for the Rally. They had the closest matching colours , but not the fleck/tweed style, they were plain.
The other odd thing about this car is the headliner has piping at every seam. The American ones don't.
Maybe this is leftover lining from a different model. Does anyone know if the 38's had piping?

Gerd,

That's a work of art!

Gerd, I don't know if it's a work of art or just work. As you mention, cleaning leather is not quick, or in my view, fun.

Whats the crookedest road in the world? ........ Wall St.

Gerd,

All I know is that year by year my nose is turning into Karl Malden's. While his offsider, in a somewhat different guise, said this, which vindicates Kev's assertion.