1929 Tudor Interior kit opinion

[1927Tudor]

While minding my own business, happily plugging away on the 52 F-1 project, this found me, and had to come home...29 Tudor sitting under a shop awning for 30 years.... soaked the cylinders, new distributor, wires, plugs, coil, cleaned out the tank, etc... two days and she was running... believe this one will stay in the existing paint for a while... thinking new tires, full mechanical, new interior, and drive her.... here's the question.... a correct brown cartouche interior locally for what is a pretty good price (considering exchange, duties and shipping if I was to order one) is available, but I hear that Lebaron Bonney is better? Anyone have experience with the Cartouche standard Tudor kits?

Thanks....

[700rpm]

I put L-B in my Tudor, and it is still nice after 38 years. I put Cartouche in my pickup and it is still nice after 11 years. The only thing I noticed about Cartouche is the fabric seems thinner than the L-B. But as you can see, it has been many years since I used either of these. Both will send you samples. That would be a good step for you.

[duke36]

Have had Cartouche (Macs is parent ?) (2005) and Le Baron Bonney; the latter the door panels were thinner and the window cranks didn't mar the fabric due to thicker padding with the Cartouche. Classtique is another kit vendor with a website and videos, etc.

[glenn in camino]

I've always used Le Barron Bonney. I'm very satisfied.

[slammin]

I have not heard good things about the durability of Cartouche material. Classtique has gotten good reviews, www.classtiqueupholstery.com I also have a 29 Tudor that needs an interior. I have received samples from LB and Classtique. Classtique is a little less expensive.

[1927Tudor]

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I appreciate the opinions gentlemen. Based on the web prices for Classtique and Macs, the kit available locally will save me about 800 Canadian landed here.

Lebarron Bonney's webpage is considerably less user friendly when it comes to pricing, but even the EZ daily driver kits seem to be more expensive than either macs or classtique.

Given the savings of 800 plus, for an occasional drive in the country with 40 year old paint, I think the local Cartouche kit might be the way to go...

[slammin]

Before you write the check, do a search for reviews on Cartouche. You won't find a bigger cheapskate than me, but based on my research, I'll be buying from Classtique or LB.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I bought Classtique kits for my 28 Phaeton and 29 Tudor.

Cartouche has gotten bad reviews.

[39 Ford Pickup]

I ended up putting in Le Barron Bonny in my 30. It turned out gorgeous! Before I put in in, I watched all the you tube videos on installing model A interiors, they were very helpful, between the videos and the instructions it turned out great. I had read the reviews and it is to big of job to be dissatisfied with Cartouche after it is installed. I spent the extra dollars, and am glad I did! This was my first interior.

[Ted Duke]

Recently received mu interior (1929 RDSTR PU) from Classtique. Beautiful! Mike is great to work with and I was shocked at how quick he go it to me.
He will get my top order also.

[2manycars]

I have always used L B interiors, and when I was in business I was an authorized installer for them. One time a customer brought me a fordor and a cartouch kit, and I was appaled at the lack of quality, and the incorrect materials, and to make matters worse, the padding was foam rubber, which was too thick, and foam does not last very long either. I had them order a L B kit and the difference was remarkable. They sold the cartouch kit to someone else.
The extra cost of quality is soon forgotten, but the memory of poor quality lingers on and on, each time you look at it.
Here is a photo of the interior of the fordor, and two of the interior of my 29 tudor. The seats are made without pleats, because that is how my originals were.

[Great Lakes Greg]

Cartouch bad, Classtique good.

[1927Tudor]

Hmmmm..... all good opinions, appreciate the pictures as well. I'm sitting on the fence, perhaps I'll wait until L-B opens in the new year and get a quote from them. I installed a cartouche interior in my 27 Tudor back in 2006, seemed to be very good quality then and still looks good today...

[slammin]

How you use the car has some bearing on your choice. If its going to be a garage queen, only driven a few times a year to shows and parades, Cartouche may be OK. For a more frequent driver, I'd pick one of the other vendors. Since you are satisfied with Cartouche, why change?

[1927Tudor]

I'm actually surprised at all the negative comments on the web, not just here, regarding people's experience with their product. I assumed that the differences between vendors would be less stark. They must monitor this and other forums regarding their stuff, you'd think they would take steps to improve on quality, as the price differential for new between cartouche and classtique is only about $150... still can't seem to get a clear price from the L-B website... the kit that is local here is 3 years old, new in box, and considerably cheaper...

I am happy with the T interior, it has held up very well.... the car is only driven about 5 or 6 times a year, but it's no trailer queen, and the interior is now 12 years old...

[JDupuis]

1927Tudor, I bought a cartouche interior for my 30 tudor. Looks great, seems to be high quality, no complaints from me. Jeff

[1927Tudor]

Thanks Jeff.

[eagle]

Not trying to stir the pot but, sometimes the pile-on affect applies to bad reviews of otherwise very good companies/products. Always take reviews, positive OR negative, with a grain of salt. Having said that, others experiences can be a real good learning tool.

[1927Tudor]

A true observation Eagle, thank you. That's probably why I'm still weighing the choice. I'll be placing the order on Tuesday after I talk with L-B to ensure that I've looked at all the options. The interior in my T is helping me in the decision.

[Bruce_MO]

My experience with Classtique was very positive. What sold me was that they use fabric from L-B. So you avoid the negatives of Cartouche, at a cost that's somewhere between Cartouche and L-B.