Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Late V8 (1954+)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-19-2019, 12:50 AM   #1
Jerold Ebke
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 49
Default ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

Friends,
I have searched unsuccessfully for upholstery kit threads.
I have not been active in restoring my car now for 15 years. It is complete except for totally devoid of interior.
ABC was the King of Kits back in the day. I called Mr Alexander ( I think) a couple years ago and he said he still made kits one at a time and it seems like there was a 2 or 3 year wait. Discouraged me back to inactivity.
I am interested in moving forward again. I told my oldest grandson he could drive the car to prom. This is a couple years in the future, but I need to get started.
Any suggestions for present day suppliers of quality kits with complete inventory of needed items for total interior installation?
I have spring sets and headliner bows.
Thanks.
Jerold Ebke is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2019, 10:18 AM   #2
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

LeBaron Bonney lists a kit for the Crown Victoria cars but folks have been having some issues with service from them lately. I really wouldn't trust too many other suppliers with trim in kit form. If you have any local trim shops, ask around and see who might be the best. SMS Auto Fabrics is a good source for original type fabrics and they even have some embossed stuff for cars that had that type upholstery.

I do my own trim since no one ever makes kits for the cars I end up with. LB has some videos on upholstery installation if you want to see what will be good info to know.

Just to add: Mac's has piece part upholstery (I don't know if it's Cartouche or not). Seat covers, door panels, and sun visors but I can't give you any guarantees that any of it is good quality or fit. It may get you by for a while if you don't like the fit. Availability is another question I can't answer.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 02-19-2019 at 02:42 PM.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 02-19-2019, 04:22 PM   #3
alt63bird
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: outside Omaha, NE
Posts: 276
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

Larry's T-bird & Mustang in California says they carry kits for '55-'56 Crowns and '55 high-roof Victorias like mine.

As for trimmers in the Omaha-Lincoln area (not knowing where in Nebraska you're at as I'm outside of Gretna) I haven't dealt with any, but am needing to gear up to find one. The new Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa Car Council directory will be available at the Lincoln Swap Meet in a few weeks and there are usually several upholstery shops that advertise in it.
__________________
Alan H. Tast AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Technical Director/Past President-Editor-Publications Director, Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l. (VTCI)
http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net
Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years"
35+ year member, Crown Victoria Ass'n.
alt63bird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2019, 05:33 PM   #4
phat rat
Senior Member
 
phat rat's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: muskegon mi
Posts: 283
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

Check with Roger Peters. He's in Juniata Ne and has done a few 55-56 Crowns. I don't think he's on here but he does have a Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/stubblebum?...on=friends_tab
'
phat rat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2019, 10:08 PM   #5
paul2748
Senior Member
 
paul2748's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Midland Park, NJ
Posts: 3,965
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

The guy who owned ABC (sold to LB) is back in business as Ron's Auto Upholstery 215-378-0894
__________________
48 Ford Conv
56 Tbird
54 Ford Victoria
paul2748 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2019, 10:34 PM   #6
miker98038
Senior Member
 
miker98038's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ
Posts: 1,373
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
It’s been 15 years since I bought my bird interior from Larry’s, but in those days they sewed all their own interiors. The quality was great, and they could make minor modifications so long as you stayed with the vinyl and carpet in stock. They made my carpet without the cut out for the floor mounted throttle, since mine was a Lokar. They’d be worth a phone call to see what they still do.
miker98038 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2019, 07:54 AM   #7
gas6999
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

I got my kit from Concours restoration parts, looks like a good kit and the best price.
gas6999 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2019, 10:59 AM   #8
Jerold Ebke
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 49
Default Re: ‘55 Crown Vic upholstery kit reccomendations

Thanks for your responses.
I have begun reaching out to sources.
Jerold Ebke is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:55 PM.