Which is better: LeBaron Bonney or Classtique?

[Texas Tom]

I need an interior kit for a 1930 Town Sedan that I'm restoring. A couple of years ago I restored a 1931 coupe and used a LeBaron Bonney kit, with good success.

I've been told that Classtique in Minnesota sells kits that use excellent materials. Their kits are a bit less expensive than LBB's kits. I'm not concerned about the price difference as I am quality and proper fit.

Any informed opinions out there regarding the quality of Classtique kits, and how they might compare with LBB?

Don't need any input regarding Car Touche. Thanks.

[flatford39]

I have only used LB and I don't think you can beat their customer service. Very nice people to do business with.

[Roadster62]

I never knew LeBaron Bonney had any competion in the NON Fine Point grade restoration field.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Texas Tom

Don't need any input regarding Car Touche. Thanks.

Tom, I am of the opinion that the biggest difference between the two now is overhead. Several years ago I switched to Classtique because L/B was having so many Q/C issues IMO. I am hearing that Paul Case (owner of L/B) has made some changes that have corrected some of that now, but back then I had several vehicles we had restored where there were issues such as buttons falling off, door panels prematurely warping, or miscut items. Yes, these were all items that L/B did make good on after repeated attempts and/or me driving to retrieve the vehicle and bringing it back to my shop for repairs at my total expense but this was damaging my reputation and pocketbook at a time when I could not afford it. The reason why I think Elizabeth is probably a little cheaper is her overhead. She only has one employee and works out of a home-based shop. She doesn't "volume" that of L/B but she doesn't want too either.

Yes Bob, ...L/B definitely has someone their equal.

.

[spike]

I have used both and would not go back to classtique again. Her supplys such as tac s are the wrong color and she said paint them ......sure I got time to paint them or order them from L/B which I did. Her door panels show bubles in them like they were not glued. If I was in your boots I would used L/B.....your choice.

[wrndln]

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You can order a kit for a specific car like your 30 town sedan from Classtique. You can then check the quality of the material. I bought a 28 special coupe upholstery kit for Clastique that was good. I got a sample for both LB and Classtique. I would say, in my opinion, they are pretty much equal in quality, but Classtique is less expensive.
Rusty Nelson

[peters180a/170b]

We have gone over this so many times [but its good for the newbees] ..LB. never let me down no matter what. Always worked out the small stuff with no big problems. Classtique i don't know but everyone said nice lady to deal with. [and cheaper] You get what you pay for i always say. Cartouche [well never gone there but what i hear they are the Earl S. paint job for $99.99.. in other words don't expect to last tooooooo long...

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've purchased 2 Classtique kits and like the quality. Elizabeth is nice to work with and she puts the seam where it belongs on the Phaetons and pickups. I saw several Phaetons and pickups at the national meets that had the seams in the wrong location. When I asked the owner who made the kit, the reply was always L/B.

[Philip McCarty]

I have a 1931 A Pick up,and a 1934 BB, both have LB interiors. Perfect fits. No problems. Only way to go.

[panelspec]

I installed a Classtique kit in my 31 coupe this past winter & am helping my dad install a Classtique in his 29 tudor. I was very impressed with the quality & fitup.

[Jim Johnston]

Tom, I don't have any experience with Classtique, but I just installed a LB kit in my '30 Tudor. I was very satisfied with the good fit and quality.

[Jim Johnston]

Don,

I still have too much to do to be ready for "Grandfather's Day' at Mikes. I'll send you a personal e-mail with a progress report.

[SSsssteamer]

I have installed 8 LB kits and I have been very satisfied with every one of them. Very minor adjustments have had to be made on some of them but that is to be expected because no two cars measure exactly the same. LB material quality is the tops. I have installed only one kit from Classtique recently and I was dissapointed in the seat material as compared to the original that came in the pick up when new. I am sure that LB would have had the exact seat material at a little higher price. With me, it is either correct or it is not. Some things like restoring just a driver, I can go the cheaper road. It is nice to have a choice of price and quality. You usually get what you pay for.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer

I have installed 8 LB kits and I have been very satisfied with every one of them. Very minor adjustments have had to be made on some of them but that is to be expected because no two cars measure exactly the same. LB material quality is the tops. I have installed only one kit from Classtique recently and I was dissapointed in the seat material as compared to the original that came in the pick up when new. I am sure that LB would have had the exact seat material at a little higher price. With me, it is either correct or it is not. Some things like restoring just a driver, I can go the cheaper road. It is nice to have a choice of price and quality. You usually get what you pay for.

Interesting comments. I believe you will find that on many piece-goods, both of these companies purchase from the same manufacturer/supplier. On a few things that L/B has manufactured, Elizabeth (--or even Bill Sturm) purchase directly from L/B and then sew it in their respective shops.

I don't know what material you speak of for the pick-up but sadly there are several materials that L/B or Classtique offer in their kits that is incorrect simply because it is not being manufactured. If you are willing to find original material, --or manufacture (dye) it yourself, Elizabeth will use your material to sew the kit.

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer

I am sure that LB would have had the exact seat material at a little higher price. With me, it is either correct or it is not. Some things like restoring just a driver, I can go the cheaper road. It is nice to have a choice of price and quality. You usually get what you pay for.

LB has established a reputation over the decades as being "the standard". Since very few folks ever research their own vehicles thoroughly they simply assume what LB offers is correct. Unfortunately this is not so for MANY models. They do not have correct materials for '28-29 commercial OR '28-29 open models. In fact they supply black artificial leather for '29 open models when the original was gray. NOT EVEN CLOSE! They offer NO colonial grain. Additionally the seats for all these models are patterned significantly different (incorrect) than the originals.

I have no personal experience with Classtique (or even seen one) so I can't address the comparison. However it's worth noting it's not difficult to vastly improve LB's version for the models mentioned.