The Ford Barn

Colonel Biggs · 03-27-2024, 01:18 PM

I have a friend up in Mass. that does admirable machine work and restorations for Model A's and T's. I have known him for several years and have seen his shop and his work. He recently was asked to refurbish the interior of a T. He ordered the material from Classtique. They sent him incorrect panels for the doors. However, they would not make good on their mistake, and told him that he would have to order new ones, and pay for them. Is this typical of this vendor? He wants to do more interiors, and he has asked me if there are other vendors who are much more reliable.

Any thoughts? Or, is this just a bad one-off situation?

nkaminar · 03-27-2024, 01:57 PM

There may be more to the story than is on the surface. I am a little suspicious. I would get the Classtique side before making any conclusions.

Mike1291 · 03-27-2024, 02:24 PM

I would be interested, too. I'd like to change the seat springs on my A to new ones and would need the seat fabric changed over. If it turns out to be in his favor let me know who he is and I could give him some work.

JayJay · 03-27-2024, 06:32 PM

I agree with nkaminar, I think we need to hear both sides of this story. This does not sound like the Classtique that I'm dealing with. Mike goes out of his way to make sure that you know what you are ordering, and he makes to order.

whirnot · 03-27-2024, 07:26 PM

Classtique has a stellar reputation, and has done excellent work for me.

ModelA29 · 03-27-2024, 10:17 PM

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Each is made to order it's not like he goes and pulls one off the shelf. If they made/sent him the wrong part it's on them. If he ordered the wrong part he owns it.

nkaminar · 03-28-2024, 06:53 AM

If the car (or truck) has old upholstery that can be used for a pattern, then an industrial sewing machine and a little experience can be the best way to go. In my opinion, the sewing machines sold by Sailrite are the best for the money. Making new upholstery from scratch can be very rewarding.

rotorwrench · 03-28-2024, 01:29 PM

There is always two sides to every story. Mike generally goes out of his way to help folks out. That fact makes me wonder.

A good trim guy knows where to purchase materials for his trade. Pre-made stuff is the easy way to go but it can lead to other problems if the trimmer wanted to fabricate the stuff but ended up with materials from another trimmer that's in the early Ford source category.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 03-28-2024, 03:00 PM

Yeah, I am inline with the others here that this just doesn't sound like Mike's way of doing business.

FWIW, people often confused the name Cartouche with Classtique, -and I would WAY more believe that Cartouche was the vendor. The other thing that makes me suspicious in this, is that Mike sells piece-goods however I am almost certain that Mike will not sell partial kits. Therefore if someone ordered pre-cut panels for a specific bodystyle, I would almost bet that wasn't Mike or his company that sold them. Cartouche did, however, sell pre-cut panels. In the final days or Cartouche and Ecklers, there is a high probability that they did send the wrong item.

And the final FWIW, Mike is the manufacturer of Model-A & T fabrics, so if this person wants to sew interiors for Model-As & Ts, his only source for materials that replicates original materials is Classtique.

alexiskai · 03-28-2024, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Mike is the manufacturer of Model-A & T fabrics, so if this person wants to sew interiors for Model-As & Ts, his only source for materials that replicates original materials is Classtique.

So what I hear you saying is that we need to make sure Mike is taking a statin and a baby aspirin, and getting his steps in.

JayJay · 03-28-2024, 03:42 PM

I ordered an interior kit from Mike for delivery in November, so we gotta keep him going at least that long! And preferably for a lot longer.

Oldbluoval · 03-28-2024, 04:54 PM

“So what I hear you saying is that we need to make sure Mike is taking a statin and a baby aspirin, and getting his steps in.”

Could be customers need the double dosage?
Better not bite the hand that feed us!!!

CWPASADENA · 03-28-2024, 10:19 PM

My experience with Mike has been very good. I had a problem with the back window panel on the top for my 31 Deluxe Roadster and he replaced it very promptly without a problem.
I also would like to hear both sides of the story.

Chris W.

03-27-2024, 01:18 PM	#1
Colonel Biggs Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 156	Model A and T Upholsterers I have a friend up in Mass. that does admirable machine work and restorations for Model A's and T's. I have known him for several years and have seen his shop and his work. He recently was asked to refurbish the interior of a T. He ordered the material from Classtique. They sent him incorrect panels for the doors. However, they would not make good on their mistake, and told him that he would have to order new ones, and pay for them. Is this typical of this vendor? He wants to do more interiors, and he has asked me if there are other vendors who are much more reliable. Any thoughts? Or, is this just a bad one-off situation?

03-27-2024, 01:57 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers There may be more to the story than is on the surface. I am a little suspicious. I would get the Classtique side before making any conclusions. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-27-2024, 02:24 PM	#3
Mike1291 Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 66	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers I would be interested, too. I'd like to change the seat springs on my A to new ones and would need the seat fabric changed over. If it turns out to be in his favor let me know who he is and I could give him some work. __________________ Early 1931 Coupe Member of the Little Rhody Model A Club (MAFCA & MARC)

03-27-2024, 06:32 PM	#4
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,077	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers I agree with nkaminar, I think we need to hear both sides of this story. This does not sound like the Classtique that I'm dealing with. Mike goes out of his way to make sure that you know what you are ordering, and he makes to order. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan

03-27-2024, 07:26 PM	#5
whirnot Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Bend Or. Posts: 1,057	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers Classtique has a stellar reputation, and has done excellent work for me. __________________ Bill Worden 1929 Roadster 1929 Briggs Town Sedan 1930 Closed Cab pickup Smith Motor Compressor 1951 Ford F1 High Desert Model A's

03-27-2024, 10:17 PM	#6
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 591	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Each is made to order it's not like he goes and pulls one off the shelf. If they made/sent him the wrong part it's on them. If he ordered the wrong part he owns it.

03-28-2024, 06:53 AM	#7
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers If the car (or truck) has old upholstery that can be used for a pattern, then an industrial sewing machine and a little experience can be the best way to go. In my opinion, the sewing machines sold by Sailrite are the best for the money. Making new upholstery from scratch can be very rewarding. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-28-2024, 01:29 PM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers There is always two sides to every story. Mike generally goes out of his way to help folks out. That fact makes me wonder. A good trim guy knows where to purchase materials for his trade. Pre-made stuff is the easy way to go but it can lead to other problems if the trimmer wanted to fabricate the stuff but ended up with materials from another trimmer that's in the early Ford source category.

03-28-2024, 03:00 PM	#9
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,519	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers Yeah, I am inline with the others here that this just doesn't sound like Mike's way of doing business. FWIW, people often confused the name Cartouche with Classtique, -and I would WAY more believe that Cartouche was the vendor. The other thing that makes me suspicious in this, is that Mike sells piece-goods however I am almost certain that Mike will not sell partial kits. Therefore if someone ordered pre-cut panels for a specific bodystyle, I would almost bet that wasn't Mike or his company that sold them. Cartouche did, however, sell pre-cut panels. In the final days or Cartouche and Ecklers, there is a high probability that they did send the wrong item. And the final FWIW, Mike is the manufacturer of Model-A & T fabrics, so if this person wants to sew interiors for Model-As & Ts, his only source for materials that replicates original materials is Classtique. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

03-28-2024, 03:42 PM	#11
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,077	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers I ordered an interior kit from Mike for delivery in November, so we gotta keep him going at least that long! And preferably for a lot longer. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan

03-28-2024, 04:54 PM	#12
Oldbluoval Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Signal Mtn, TN (SE TN) Posts: 2,372	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers “So what I hear you saying is that we need to make sure Mike is taking a statin and a baby aspirin, and getting his steps in.” Could be customers need the double dosage? Better not bite the hand that feed us!!!

03-28-2024, 10:19 PM	#13
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,885	Re: Model A and T Upholsterers My experience with Mike has been very good. I had a problem with the back window panel on the top for my 31 Deluxe Roadster and he replaced it very promptly without a problem. I also would like to hear both sides of the story. Chris W.