After many years, I finally got my 68' Alpine Blue/Teal 350 (no, it's not an HO) home! Seats were done with Distinctive Industries and I need to re-do the fronts (back looks nice). Anyone have a review of their products? Not as good as Al Knock or Legendary and/or better than PUI?
I’m curious Jim, how much it cost to have a completed interior sewn and installed?
It doesn't seem that many years ago but I see from my receipts that I restored the seats in 2004-5.
The original Comfortweave and Madrid vinyl from SMS cost $538. That included a couple extra yards of material I ordered for future repairs.
The sewing was done by Fryer's Auto Upholstery in Vancouver Wash for $402. SMS sent the material directly to them for me. Fryers supposedly changed hands shortly after so I have no idea of the status of the business now. I sent them an original set for use as a pattern.
I cannot find my receipt right now for my local upholstery shop, I only had them do the buckets because they needed some springs repaired. I did the rear seat and it wasn't an awful job. The rear only cost me a hog ring pliers and a box of rings.
Added to all that was new ACI (NPD) bucket cushions, new (NPD) plastic backs, (Year One) paint for the backs, shipping stuff around the country and later, some (Bill Edmunds) seat extenders for the driver's side. I still don't know why I needed the extenders since it was fine for me through the 1970's without them.
Jim, I was thinking of using the ACI Foam listed in Ames. Can you comment on how they are doing? Did they change the look - how they fill out vs original)? Super soft, super hard, or just right? I plan on having them a long time!
Jim, I was thinking of using the ACI Foam listed in Ames. Can you comment on how they are doing? Did they change the look - how they fill out vs original)? Super soft, super hard, or just right? I plan on having them a long time!
When I purchased mine 16 years ago, the ACI's were the better foam. They felt quite firm when I first put them in. I don't know how much of the firmness came from the seat springs repairs, new still tight covers or the foam cushions. With a broken spring and 37 years of the old cushions disintegrating, the originals were pretty squishy. The fit and original look were great. Since, I have either gotten used to the new feel or they softened a bit. Bottom line, if I had it to do over, I would use them again over the economy version.
Below are a before, an after and a '68 brochure photos: Note how the Comfortweave had changed color over 37 years. Also note the build error for my car, comparing the photos. The custom/deluxe interiors were supposed to interior matching color seatbelts.
