CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Originality => Topic started by: 69Z28-RS on February 01, 2012, 05:16:31 AM

Title: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 01, 2012, 05:16:31 AM
OK guys.  I need some help.   I have an oriignal '69 Z28/RS in orange/orange/orange..   it has original hounstooth upholstery, most of which is in great condition, except for the driver's seat which shows 'dirt', wear', and tears.   I want to keep my car in 'original unrestored' condition, hopefully to show it in that class one day at the nationals, but the driver's seat upsets me..  I'm HOPING that someone has restored such an interior, and has their OLD original upholstery, enough of which is in decent condition that it could be used to repair my driver's seat.   If you are out there, and able to help me out, I will pay well for usable material (factory original, not old repro)..
Attached is a photo of my rear seat, to give an idea of how nice most of it is, along with a phot of the driver's seat for contrast.
Any help you can provide is VERY much appreciated.

my back seat and passenger seat are like this:
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp60/gdwylie/Autos/BackseatfromRS-1.jpg)

My front seat is here:
(http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/pp60/gdwylie/Autos/DriverSeat.jpg)

Gary  69Z28-RS
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: srode on February 01, 2012, 11:10:02 AM
Interesting combo - are you sure that interior is original?  Thought the orange houndstooth was only an option on pace cars?  Also noticed you have standard seat belts but a deluxe interior? 
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: william on February 01, 2012, 12:32:57 PM
Orange houndstooth was a late production option in coupes only. It was required for Z11.

Custom seat belts were not included with or required for a custom interior. Seperate option.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: IZRSSS on February 01, 2012, 12:42:42 PM
Gary - I would contact Steve (aka paceme) before touching that seat. He has certified several Vintage Camaro's at the Nationals and I'm sure he can offer sound advice. Congrats...sounds like an incredible car!
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 01, 2012, 06:10:50 PM
Hi Marty,  yes, I'm sure it's original.   I've owned the car since 1976; it hasn't been driven since 1980 (stored in my homegarage 'waiting' on me...)..   I've talked to Steve previuosly, in fact, I think he has a similarly optioned car.   Maybe he will pipe in as I've never had a car judged in thecamaro organizations, but I have attended a couple of them recently in trying to learn about the organizations.   I don't want to install reproduction materials in/on the car, but I think if I had an 'original seat cover' in better shape than what I have on  my driver's seat, it would be advantageous to me in judging (and also I'd feel better about the car), so that's why I'm looking and hoping someone who has replaced their interior, but kept the original stuff, can help me.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: grit1210 on February 01, 2012, 06:18:36 PM
Just curious.  For judging purposes does "original" mean on a specific car VIN XXXX from the factory, i.e. born with, or any equipment/option that had originally been on the car?
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 68Zproject on February 01, 2012, 09:21:34 PM
"Original" means untouched since it left the factory, except for minor maintenance..
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: vtfb68 on February 01, 2012, 09:58:25 PM
Barret/Jackson will soon have that changed too.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: x66 714 on February 01, 2012, 09:59:33 PM
A car is only original once. After that it's restored or ?? They do require maint. It's nice to see one that nobody has messed with. The older the car, the harder it is to keep it from restoration.

I have the same problem with a yellow interior. Good luck...Joe
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: IZRSSS on February 01, 2012, 10:19:55 PM
Gary - I have never been fortunate enough to attend the Camaro Nationals either. Not exactly a hop in the car kind of trip for me...~1880miles. I guess that's part of the reason I'm always on some sort of fact finding mission. I do hope to attend some day and I'd hate to drive that far just to find out my "nut" is out of place... ;D

I found this link. Might help finding out more info on the Nationals Vintage program...good luck!
http://americancamaro.org/2007vintage.php
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: maroman on February 01, 2012, 10:20:13 PM
I know this isn't really what you are asking,but I think if it were mine I would find other seats and have them reupholstered with repro covers to drive it. I love the yellow and orange houndstooth both. Your covers don't look that bad in pics, but I'd be afraid of them splitting out with use. I also applaude you for keeping the car as unmolested as possible.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 03, 2012, 06:25:22 PM
I might do that - buy another seat and reupholster it - for the driver's seat..  Does anyone have a single '69 Seat that could be used for that?   If so, let me know and what your price is.    What is the most accurate of the reproduction seat covers?   PUI?  or ??   and best source to purchase?   I'm also needing to replace the vacuum hoses for the RS system; anyone recommend a 'best' source for those?  If all are the same, I'll find the best price, but if some are not up to par, I'd love to know that before purchase...
Gary    69Z28-RS
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: tmodel66 on February 04, 2012, 05:48:52 PM
Gary I had samples sent to me for seat covers and I used Legendary. Hands down best on door panels too.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: KurtS on February 05, 2012, 03:34:37 AM
Daniel,
Deluxe or standard door panels?
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: tmodel66 on February 05, 2012, 02:44:52 PM
Standard
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: KurtS on February 06, 2012, 04:27:08 AM
Wow, that's been a long time coming. I hate the puffy look of the repro std door panels....
Thx.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: william on February 06, 2012, 03:08:57 PM
One of my long-time cronies in the hobby has been a trimmer his entire life; a vanishing breed. I was trying to help Gary out with his seats so I paid a visit to his shop and learned some stuff. Repro stuff looks like it does because the only vinyl available today is 'expanded' vinyl. There is a thin layer of foam between the vinyl and the substrate. '60s vinyl didn't have the foam layer.

I was there to see if he still had any of the entire roll of OE orange houndstooth he bought in the '70s. Mostly gone but he thought it was still available. He looked it up; all colors except black & white have just been discontiuned.

So if you are in need of orange or yellow houndstooth repro covers now is a good time to order.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: tmodel66 on February 06, 2012, 04:08:07 PM
Wow, that's been a long time coming. I hate the puffy look of the repro std door panels....
Thx.

These door panels are flat as a flitter. The guy that's working on my car was very surprised of how much difference there is in these compared to the other repops. We did a test fit and they actually fit too. I'll get a picture today although they are back off the doors you can see the contour.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: x66 714 on February 06, 2012, 10:22:58 PM
I just spoke to Elliot @ Al Knoch & he has orange vinyl & orange/black houndstooth. It is the correct 48 oz vinyl.
He is at 1-800-880-8080. Tell him Joe told you to call
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: tmodel66 on February 07, 2012, 01:52:31 AM
These aren't the best pictures but I think you can get an idea of what they look like. My batteries went dead in my camera.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 07, 2012, 04:56:08 AM
Joe,

thanks for the tip.  I looked thru Knoch's website, but didn't find any good info.  I will call them tomorrow.... and tell Elliot that Joe told me to call..  :)

Gary
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 08, 2012, 06:10:14 AM
I talked to D&R today...  they sell PUI covers and do have the orange and yellow available;  Rick's Camaro also handles PUI materials. 

I also called Al Knoch and spoke with Elliot.   He told me that they make their own vinyl and do not use foreign made material.   He assured me that it matched the original but I haven't seen it (although he said he would send a sample).   he also said they would produce it as long as there was demand. 

Legendary also shows that they have both orange and yellow houndstooth available, but their website is not totally complete for ordering the necessary pieces for a coupe.    The Lengendary and Al Knoch covers are considerably more expensive than the PUI covers, but may be worth the difference if they are more orginal and more accurate...

Gary  /  69Z28-RS
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: x66 714 on February 08, 2012, 02:16:46 PM
Quote: The Lengendary and Al Knoch covers are considerably more expensive than the PUI covers, but may be worth the difference if they are more orginal and more accurate...

I can only go by the quality of my 68 houndshooth seats. Heavy weight, correct grain, houndstooth was smooth not scratchy & yes thet were quite a bit more money but quality usually is. Al Knoch builds more NCRS approved interiors than anybody else. Camaro was something that Elliot wanted to get into....Joe
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: tmodel66 on February 08, 2012, 02:24:43 PM
Gary I looked at a set of PUI covers and door panels on another car. I wouldn't put either covers or door panels on my car. Not bashing just stating my opinion.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 08, 2012, 04:34:19 PM
Something we should not forget, in addition to the quality of the material itself, is the 'quality of the installer'... sometimes when we view a recently restored interior, it is the installation quality that is most apparent to our eye.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: Stingr69 on February 08, 2012, 04:51:07 PM
Another vote of "NO" for PUI seat covers. I had them put on by a professional interior shop and they could not get them to fit close to my satisfaction. The covers looked good off of the seat but once they were installed they were crooked. I had the shop redo the seats by reusing some of my original pieces and now I have a mix and match of original and PUI. It fits and looks good.

Al Knoch would get my business next time.

-Mark.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 08, 2012, 05:38:55 PM
If I have to give up on my 'goal' of finding a good 'used, but factory original' cover for my driver's seat, then I'm leaning heavily toward Al Knoch..  I've used them before for Corvette upholstery, but this is my firstr experience of chasing down the various Camaro suppliers...

PS.  I need a source for 'orange vinyl' paint to recolor the section of the door panel (the portion around the release handle is very faded)..  and also my driver's door panel has a small 'split' on the airm rest portion that I believe can be repaired with a 'vinyl repair'..   Has anyone else did these to the orange interior panels (deluxe door panel)..

Gary / 69Z28-RS
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: tmodel66 on February 08, 2012, 08:02:55 PM
Gary I don't know about any color but the Dark Green. I used and it was a great match. It's OER brand in a spray bomb.
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: 69Z28-RS on February 08, 2012, 10:34:55 PM
Thanks Daniel!   I'll check out. the OER materials..
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: KurtS on February 14, 2012, 06:55:29 PM
And thanks Daniel for the door panel pics. Those look just like they should, other than that strange bulge. :)
Title: Re: 'original' orange houndstooth upholstery?
Post by: x66 714 on February 14, 2012, 08:07:27 PM
Kurt
Isn't that the knob for the remote window control? Joe