Interior Update

The last two weeks have been dealing with door glass and reproduction parts! If there were a choice, I would recommend repair or rebuild for some of the components in the "A".

I installed the door glass with all new hardware then finished the door panels and installed those. This involves a number of sequenced reproduction components, some of which don't quite fit correctly. Each problem fix affects the next components........A nightmare!

Covered the cowl panels yesterday and installed today. Looks good.

We used 1/4" sew foam on the panels and the seat just barely touches the door panels when the door is closed. I would have preferred 1/2" sew foam but was concerned the the contact would wear on both pieces.

For those who consider $8 to $12k for doing this from absolute scratch out of line, I can tell you that there are at least 100 manhours in this job even for an experienced trimmer (200+ for me). Just add it up at whatever the hourly rate.

Doors n' Glass

Finally, I'm down to installing the doors. I need to have them on to install the glass and door panels. The cowl panels need to line up with the door panels. Measuring is good but having all in position to scribe the line is the best.
 

 

 

Remember the dream?? This is looking EXACTLY like the dream. The tinted glass was from Bob's Classic Auto Glass

 

They were nice enough to compare my patterns to theirs as a check and then I elected to use their patterns since they know the glass business. They are perfect.

 

I want to mention that if you want to cut to your patterns, be very careful, they cut and you bought! Good people to work with and they know the correct glass thickness for the Model A.

Seat's In !!

After 20 months of work, the plan is coming together. I actually sat in the car today!
Jose did a very nice job on the seat cushions, his upholstery men are very experienced and he demands good work.

 

They are exactly like my drawings, just what I wanted.

I drew up the the door panels and dropped off the panels, drawings and fabric to them on Friday. He will have the pleated fabric for me in a couple weeks.

 

Now that the trans cables, cooler, and battery cables are in, It was time for the floor. Finding the bag of hardware from the fabrication was a bit of a challenge but we got'er done.

 The Lokar brake handle is out of the way, and the master cylinder access is going to be fine. I'm going to need a gas pedal soon.

 

Headliner

Without the online tutorials, I'm not sure I could have got this done. I am sure that with the top upholstery on the car, I would have done it differently.

You start at the rear with glue (DAP vinyl top and trim) on the bows only. None on the listing. Even though this headliner only weighs about 1 1/4 lbs, its heavy to handle. Two of us held it in place against the glue while I stapled with the fineline.

Its important to cut reliefs in the sides of the headliner listings (template this) where they pass under the top wood or the listing will distort the headliner.

 





 

After you have it all hung, and a few staples low on the seams around the edges,  you can see the problems from the inside. You can also see the unwanted variations on the topside just by looking at the stitching line.

At that point you can work from the top pulling staples and adjusting out the variations.

When you have it where you want it, get out the precut panel board arched strips and the pneumatic stapler and secure it better by stapling the panel board over the listing and taking the load off of the original listing staples.

 

NOW QUIT FOR THE DAY and come back tomorrow and look at it again.

 

Its tougher on the second day, bigger staples and drier glue, but now fine tune the installation by pulling and easing the listings.

 

I waited a week (adjusting several times) and then emptied the staple gun a couple times into the bows. Its got to end sometime 





Layout, Glue, and You

The minimal skills I picked up during the abuse by my best friend (Dad) were seriously valuable during this little project. When you add that experience to the vast knowledge available at the Interior Forum at Hot Rodders.Com, you can proceed with your SIMPLE project with enough background to muddle through.

It took way to many hours, but a very rewarding experience! The goal was all hidden fasteners but I will need at least 4 and probably 6 covered snaps to complete the installation.

What do you think so far?? The rear bulkhead panel is completely hidden but I may add covered snaps to this to make it correct.

More of the drivers side.....

Even my nitpicking buddies are OK with this so far

 

I only get upset when people won't work for me. I had not intended to do this myself but the whole thing has been a neat project and very inexpensive.  Less than $300.00 total to this point.

The seat frame was definitely a pain, and the Pfaff 7500 will not do sew foam so we are waiting for the cushions from the upholstery shop. Once the seat is installed I can tell how much foolishness I can dream up for the door panels. The Model A doors are VERY close to the seat cushion.

 

 

 

Number Four

I'm on my fourth upholsterer now. The first three that blew me off we have all met before. They may do good or even magnificent work, but they do not work all the time.
This is a shop downtown that I have done a little business with on the 34'. This is a real business, he has 5 men working and is always busy.

In the meantime, down to the upholstery supply and picked up about 10 miles of #92 polyester thread (color match to the vinyl) and then to the Pfaff center for some #90 needles. This can't be all that difficult!
 

I measured the bows for a 5 seam headliner and cut the vinyl with a           1 3/8" listing. Sewed all together on the Pfaff 7550 and it came out fine. 

 These are all simple straight seams that can be done at home. the rear 1/4 panels were more than a little fun but finally came out very nice.

 

I've got the bit in my teeth now, the rear panels, window, and glass were made and installed today.

Things are looking up, I wasn't supposed to do this myself but why not??

Minor adjustments to the headliner as soon as I get a warm day. The vinyl acts strangely with the temperature variations of the last few days.

 

I'll get the seat assembly finished

tomorrow.

I hammer shaped an aluminum strip to match the panels and tacked it into position so the entire headliner is in the car without the supporting panels as it was done originally. The supporting panels will snap into place with all hidden fasteners.



 

Depression.....Anxiety

The last two weeks have not been as progressive as I'd like.

Thursday afternoon I called the upholsterer who was going to prefab the interior for the Model A. I wanted his approval of the selected vinyl that I sent him. After a month of discussion, sending patterns and samples back and forth, and fabricating panels to his specifications, he states that the fabric is fine but he has changed his mind and will no longer do the job. 
I never asked how much, I really didn't care....oh well.

Then there was the glass shop who knew exactly how to do a Model A windshield and promptly exploded the $300 frame into 3 pieces. It was my fault I guess???

The first test was a new stainless cowl band for the "A" from a flake called Ahooga Reproduction Parts. The only thing I can say is that it resembled the original band. Too long on one side (one inch) and not too close on the shape.  If I would ship it back they would check it ($35)??? No call tag, they don't understand why it fits some cars and not others?? No refunds in any case! I do not know how these people stay in business, probably enough turkeys like ME!

Just another sequence of tests.

I think I need to go to the mountains and look for pussy in my driveway.