IML: SMS Auto Fabrics

["Eric" <gearhead@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have purchased fabric and vinyl from SMS a number of times. I picked up 
some interior vinyl the last time I walked in, we're both in Portland so I 
can go there directly. I spoke with the older guy that works there, he seems 
to know his wares very well. I asked him about the different types of vinyl 
codes that I've seen in the '63 Parts Catalog, 
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1963/PartsBook/Interior-2DoorCrownCloth.jpg
He offered that the vinyl sold now, or at least all they stock, pretty much 
always has the fabric backing molded in. For the extruded vinyl welting, it 
used to be that a simple sheet of vinyl was used without the fabric backing 
making it a little thinner, but this seems to be a thing of the past as for 
it being offered in the variety of original colors. He did show me some 
generic vinyl sheet in a similar grain style without the fabric backing that 
one could paint to the original color, perhaps.
I'm not entirely sure of this, but I think there used to be some variances 
in vinyl thickness depending on the code in the above link, but I could be 
totally off on this. The guy at SMS didn't seem to have much info on this. 
Can someone more knowledgeable correct me that differing thicknesses of 
vinyls were used, aside from the non-fabric backed material?
Being that original material can still be had, I'd recommend that you keep 
your interior with the original materials or as close to them as possible. I 
have a '63 that someone used a thicker, mottled colored, smoother grain 
vinyl more suitable to that in a 80's GM car, that was about a mile away on 
the color wheel as to the original, for the lower door panel trim. I have to 
wonder what they were thinking when they redid the panels, maybe it was the 
few dollars they saved. It looks really bad and was clearly a low budget 
redo job. I'm sure these got replaced because the vinyl used in that era of 
car was good for 20 years before the nicks and rips started to be really 
obvious. If you go the high road and keep it original, just plan to do this 
all over again in 2024. Thats not a bad compromise to have an original 
looking car that represents the added attention to detail that these cars 
were designed with.
Another case in point, there are two '65 LeBarons on ebay right now. In one 
car, the picture show's the rear seat of the original pearlescent white 
leather that gleams even though you can see that it is worn around the 
edges. 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2492464680&indexURL=4#ebayphotohosting
The other car has been reupholstered in what looks to me to be a matte 
finish of either vinyl or leather and has a little lighter colored welting. 
The pictures aren't quite good enough for me to make a positive claim, but 
the material used looks like a matte finish that doesn't stand out like the 
pearlescent original. The off colored welting is another disappointment. 
While it looks like a nice job and something that you'd want to sit on, it 
doesn't have the Imperial design studio sparkle of the original, from these 
pictures at least. 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2492867259&indexURL=6&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting
The pearlescent leather in the other car still wow's the eye even though its 
about 40 years older and not in perfect shape.
Yet another case, my 'lowly' '72 Newport has the greenish gold interior. The 
vinyl has a barely noticeable metallic sheen to it that makes it stand out 
from the matte tan color that replaced this color in the '73 model year. Its 
another small detail of the luxuriousness of materials that used to be used 
in higher end cars. Y'all remember that, dontcha?  ;-)
As for carpets, that subject has been narrowed to the fact that the original 
style is no longer made and to get as close to the original as one can. I 
have not seen SMS's carpets.

Here's a guiding light > What would Exner have done?  Exner was a man known 
to have a 'penchant for metallic threaded fabric' -I completely forget where 
I picked up that little piece of trivia that I read once long ago.

Thats my rant on originality.

Eric
Portland, Oregon

From: "Chad Smith" <hemi_powered@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: IML: Carpet Sets and Interior Fabrics
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 11:04:02 -0700
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Ok, I understand.  I like the idea of using original fabrics, but here =
is the problem.  I do a lot of my own upholstery, but I do not want to =
do the Imperial because, well, I want it to be perfect, and if I pay =
someone and it isn't right....they can fix it.  If I screw it up, I =
couldn't deal with it...not at $45.00 per yard.  But, this crack shot =
upholstery guy I have was complaining about the thickness of my vinyl =
that I had originally purchased being to thin, and not durable enough.  =
So, I requested the samples from SMS.  Wow, perfect match...but, much =
thinner fabric and vinyl than I already had purchased.   The upholstery =
guy is telling me that he will do the job, but that the vinyl and fabric =
are so thin (which is true), that they will not hold up long.  Honestly, =
I don't want to be looking to re-do the interior again in the near =
future, or decade even.  I live in the desert portion of Washington =
State behind the rain shadow of the Cascades and what we get the most of =
is sun....vinyl baking sun.  So, that is why I am searching for some =
guidance on this one.   ARGH!

Secondly, since you are familiar with SMS's fabrics, have you checked =
their carpet sets?  They say that they are factory correct, but I have =
not seen them yet, and the samples that they sent me were for fabrics =
only.  I know that the original carpet wears like iron, as even after 45 =
years, the carpet is the only thing in the interior that is worth much.  =
Input on the carpet sets there would be appreciated if anyone has any =
knowledge of SMS's carpet kits.

Thanks much!

Teresa



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