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Topic: OEM Cloth Seat Material (Read 4329 times) previous topic - next topic

OEM Cloth Seat Material

My 86 Elan has red cloth interior and it is in very good shape with the exception of the drivers seat, which has some separation at the stitching and cigarette burns (not by me, I don't smoke). The drivers seat lower cushion has also settled lopsided and is uncomfortable. I want to have to the drivers seat reupholstered and am trying to find a source for the original NOS material. I contacted one company that said they might, but never followed up when I asked additional questions.

Has anybody been successful in procuring the NOS OEM material? I don't want to have to reupholster the entire interior to get everything to match.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #1 –
Following this post because I have two small areas on the outside edges of my driver's seat that need attention although my interior is burgundy.
1986 Mercury Cougar XR-7 Turbo-charged 5-speed.
Owned 22 years.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #2 –
I deal with a great upholstery shop near where I live. They have factory sample books that go back even past our cars, and I can verify their accuracy for both materials and colors.

That being said...the time is long, long gone where we can get any factory-style material again. It is highly doubtful there's any left, and if it is, it might not even be usable. Don't hold out hope for reproductions, either...these cars are just too obscure to ever have new material output. (Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, I'm just a realist and pragmatic).

However...I have found that there are usually some "universal" materials that are pretty close in color, texture, pattern, etc. to those used in our cars. For example, when I had the headliner redone in my '84 with the Academy Blue interior, I was really surprised that some of the only material available in blue was nearly a dead-on match for stock. I even had them save the old material from the sun visors to match up to the new material, and it is shockingly close.

So similar material will be out there, it's just a matter of taking your time to find it. Your '86 would have Canyon Red, and trust me, there are a TON of universal reds available, so I'm quite sure there's something close available.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #3 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats;457085
I deal with a great upholstery shop near where I live. They have factory sample books that go back even past our cars, and I can verify their accuracy for both materials and colors.

That being said...the time is long, long gone where we can get any factory-style material again. It is highly doubtful there's any left, and if it is, it might not even be usable. Don't hold out hope for reproductions, either...these cars are just too obscure to ever have new material output. (Not trying to rain on anyone's parade, I'm just a realist and pragmatic).

However...I have found that there are usually some "universal" materials that are pretty close in color, texture, pattern, etc. to those used in our cars. For example, when I had the headliner redone in my '84 with the Academy Blue interior, I was really surprised that some of the only material available in blue was nearly a dead-on match for stock. I even had them save the old material from the sun visors to match up to the new material, and it is shockingly close.

So similar material will be out there, it's just a matter of taking your time to find it. Your '86 would have Canyon Red, and trust me, there are a TON of universal reds available, so I'm quite sure there's something close available.

The color might not be the biggest challenge, the pattern and texture may very well be.

Fortunately, there is an old school shop in Struthers, Ohio that can work miracles with automotive interiors.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #4 –
Dude...that's where I go! Didn't know you were local. I work down the street from there...if you get out that way, let me know first and I can meet you there.

Small world LOL.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #5 –
Try these guys. If they don't have the upholstery nobody will. They actually have the material in stock for the seats in my 88 ranger GT

http://www.smsautofabrics.com

Give them all your pertinent information and they'll mail you a sample.
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #6 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats;457092
Dude...that's where I go! Didn't know you were local. I work down the street from there...if you get out that way, let me know first and I can meet you there.

Small world LOL.

Johnson's did my entire Maverick Grabber interior in cloth. Outstanding work. They also do all of Buckeye's interiors.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #7 –
Quote from: jandmmustangs;457093
Try these guys. If they don't have the upholstery nobody will. They actually have the material in stock for the seats in my 88 ranger GT

http://www.smsautofabrics.com

Give them all your pertinent information and they'll mail you a sample.

I also hang around the Maverick/Comet forums. A lot of guys there have used SMS. I have to find some extra material somewhere on the seats to send them a sample.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #8 –
My 88 XR7 interior is almost a perfect original except for wear on the driver's seat lower side bolster from entering/exiting and would like to have that section upholstered if possible.  Report back your findings if you find an acceptable source for the material.


OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #9 –
Very nice!! That is the same place mine is worn and starting to separate.
1986 Thunderbird Elan 5.0 EFI AOD, 3.73:1 SN95 rear, 17" Mustang Bullitts w/Firestone WO Indy 500's. Future plan: 349 stroker, C9 block, forged dish pistons, Scat 9000 crank, 4340 I beam rods, ARP head/main studs, ported explorer intake, 1.72 CC RR, Vortech V2 supercharger, Mr. Freeze Meth Inj, intercooler, TFS 190 11R CNC heads (66CC), BBK shorties with 2.5" duals, 4R70W Transmission, Taurus fan.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #10 –
Again, goto the sms site and request a sample. Here I did it for you. Follow this link, fill out the form and submit it. They will mail you a free sample if they have the upholstery. If it what you need then you call them and order it. When it arrives, find a local shop to do the repair

http://www.smsautofabrics.com/request-samples.php
41 Dodge Luxury Liner Sedan
78 F-100 2wd flareside
84Turbo Coupe
84 Thunderbird Élan
85 Thunderbird 3.8
88 Turbo Coupe
88 Mustang GT
90 Stang LX 5.0 5spd
93 F-150 4x4 ext cab
96 Mustang GT
98 Mustang GT
99 SVT Cobra
06 Fusion SEL
14 Fusion Sport

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #11 –
I contacted SMS Auto Fabrics (http://www.smsautofabrics.com) and they have the EXACT fabric for my 1988 XR7!  After four years of searching local auto upholstery shops and numerous internet sites, SMS has the correct material.  They are not cheap at $95/yard, but if you want restoration material this is the only source I know.  I took a picture of the fabric sample they mailed.  Trust me, it is the exact OE material. Hope this helps anybody who is seriously interested in OE restoration.

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #12 –
Well that's good to know. Actually that price isn't horrible...I mean, yeah, it's not cheap but it's not completely out of line for a restoration project where matching is important. I paid more for some non-factory material before.

Love to know if they have some Ultrasuede from the 20ths still laying around...

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #13 –
Kafer79,

Did they have a part number or call the fabric by a specific name?  I am in need of the same style of fabric but in a charcoal gray almost black.  Just wanted a starting point with them if you had the info.

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp
 

OEM Cloth Seat Material

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Aerocoupe;457430
Kafer79,

Did they have a part number or call the fabric by a specific name?  I am in need of the same style of fabric but in a charcoal gray almost black.  Just wanted a starting point with them if you had the info.

The sample SMS provided did not have a stock number or code.  However, when you go to their website to request a sample they ask if you can provide the interior codes if known.  I went to the Cool Cats site for the interior colors and trim codes.  You could always call SMS direct with questions.  Good luck