Replacing Interior...Quality of products???

[Andy]

Looks like a project this winter is to definately replace the seats and carpeting in my '79. Looks like all the aftermarket guys have interiors, and the prices are similar. Not sure If I am going to do this myself or not. The seats, I would probably farm out, but to whom. Also, the carpet in my '79 is almost a doeskin color, and with oyster white seats and dash, it just doesn't look right....I believe the previous owner put in the wrong color!! I checked out the manuals and it appears that the correct color is either a light or dark gray, similar to the '78 pace cars scheme. Would appreciate ANY advice on who to use, problems encountered, costs etc. Thanks folks!!

Andy

 

[BarryK]

Andy
I would suggest Al Knoch interiors for both the carpet and the seats. On the seats you can ship them to Al's location and they will redo them same as they redid mine at Carlisle and than ship them back to you. You will have to remove them to replace the carpet anyway of course.
Another option if you don't want to ship the seats out is to buy everything you need for the seats (such as the leather covers, new foam, the install kit, etc) and have them done locally by an upholstery shop. I have a few recommendations of decent ones around if you don't already have someone you know. If you decide to go that route than I'd suggest buying all the stuff you need for the seats from Al's brother Wally Knoch who is also a fellow forum member. Wally sells Al Knoch's interior products but usually at a discount so it's lower than Al's pricing, than you just need to send it over to the local upholstery shop. Walley may or may not also sell the carpet but I don't know, I do know he sells the seat items.

There are other vendors to also get the seat and carpet items from - most of the major catalog vendors all sell it. Some are selling the Al Knoch products and others such as Mid-America make their own. I went with Al Knoch on my seats because they have the reputation as the best out there and I got a good price for doing it while at Carlisle between their show special pricing and a cash discount. Except for the minor problem issue I had afterwards that you already know about and I'm working with them now to get resolved I was very happy with the job they did on my seats.

 

[Delph]

Andy
I would suggest Al Knoch interiors for both the carpet and the seats. On the seats you can ship them to Al's location and they will redo them same as they redid mine at Carlisle and than ship them back to you. You will have to remove them to replace the carpet anyway of course.
Another option if you don't want to ship the seats out is to buy everything you need for the seats (such as the leather covers, new foam, the install kit, etc) and have them done locally by an upholstery shop. I have a few recommendations of decent ones around if you don't already have someone you know. If you decide to go that route than I'd suggest buying all the stuff you need for the seats from Al's brother Wally Knoch who is also a fellow forum member. Wally sells Al Knoch's interior products but usually at a discount so it's lower than Al's pricing, than you just need to send it over to the local upholstery shop. Walley may or may not also sell the carpet but I don't know, I do know he sells the seat items.

There are other vendors to also get the seat and carpet items from - most of the major catalog vendors all sell it. Some are selling the Al Knoch products and others such as Mid-America make their own. I went with Al Knoch on my seats because they have the reputation as the best out there and I got a good price for doing it while at Carlisle between their show special pricing and a cash discount. Except for the minor problem issue I had afterwards that you already know about and I'm working with them now to get resolved I was very happy with the job they did on my seats.

Barry,

I am getting my winter projects lined up and re-doing the interior is one of the projects. Do you have a list of all of the parts and part numbers you used for Al? I think you posted a few pictures and your seats looked brand new. If you have anything you can mail me I would appreciate it. Also do you have any examples of prices? My e-mail address is timdelph@comcast.net

Thanks for the info.

Tim

 

[Mr. Chuck]

I am getting ready to re-carpet my 81 and am looking at Mid-America's; anyone out there have any experience with Mid-America'a carpets installations.

 

[Evolution1980]

BobChad has some nice looking carpet in his '77.
Check it here.
However, I'm going to guess (and he can correct me if I'm wrong), that he bought his rear glovebox/battery box assm from a different place than where he got his rear carpet.

One of the things I've heard is that if you are going to recarpet your car, get all of it from the same vendor, preferably at the same time, or you stand a chance of getting slight variations in color & cut.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I got it at The Last Detail. If I recall correctly, it was Corvette America stuff. Andre is right about buying it all at the same time. I did and mine match. The pictures just don;''t show it very well.

 

[magoo]

I'm with Barry on the Al Knoch. I installed his complete interior in a 58 quite a few years ago and it was perfect. The C-1 installation is easy so I didn't need installation, but dash pad, door panels, seat covers,and carpet were all great, and a perfect match on an odd color. Just my .02

Mike

 

[twamd80driver]

Al Knoch is #1 with me. Original to the last detail, and ready to install. I did a complete 73 interior....flawless!

 

[srs244]

just another opinion: i would take a good long look at wilcox. they have great customer service and great product prices. they will sell you parts to do it yourself or will assemble the seat backs and seat cushions completley so that all you need to do is install them on the frames (not that difficult a job, but certainly can be trying at times to be honest). i have always found them to be first class in dealing with their customers, and rarely if at all look elsewhere for interior products. like most dealers they will "package" and price accordingly interior components for a deal. worth cheking out in my opinion.

 

[Andy]

I Went ahead today and ordered carpeting from Wally Knoch. Thanks for all the good advice on this thread. I'm sure the Black Carpeting will be a stark contrast to my Oyster white interior.

Andy

Looks like a project this winter is to definately replace the seats and carpeting in my '79. Looks like all the aftermarket guys have interiors, and the prices are similar. Not sure If I am going to do this myself or not. The seats, I would probably farm out, but to whom. Also, the carpet in my '79 is almost a doeskin color, and with oyster white seats and dash, it just doesn't look right....I believe the previous owner put in the wrong color!! I checked out the manuals and it appears that the correct color is either a light or dark gray, similar to the '78 pace cars scheme. Would appreciate ANY advice on who to use, problems encountered, costs etc. Thanks folks!!

Andy

 

[Andy]

Bob..question for you...The 3M spray adhesive,..How many cans did u use on your carpet replacement. Just one...I'll get 2 , but just curious.

Andy

I got it at The Last Detail. If I recall correctly, it was Corvette America stuff. Andre is right about buying it all at the same time. I did and mine match. The pictures just don;''t show it very well.