Car Interior 101- Redoing a Classic Car

Happy 2010!! Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get down to business! And for Grease Girl that means giving you more of what I originally set out for…to help the beginning car person get involved in the garage! While I hope my Studebaker wish list will provide the topics for some great how-to articles over the coming months, I’ve got a few tech how-to’s up my sleeve already.

Next to mechanics, paint is priority for most. However its my opinion that interior is more important, particularly if its a daily driver. Far more hours are spent sitting on the inside than viewing the paint outside, right!?! So what better place to start this year off than with the very first job I tackled on my Studebaker – the interior!

Get ready for a whole series of articles this month on redoing your classic car’s interior. Before jumping in, I thought I’d start with a few tips from a pro. Luis Loyola was kind enough to have me over to his shop, Loyola Auto Interiors, and share with us some terrific expert advice.

So sit down, relax, and get ready to get to work!

http://www.vimeo.com/8510085

Hot Rod Interior Guy Finishes Own Car!

The post man doesn’t go for a walk on his day off and hot rod builders, painters and upholstery guys never get a chance to finish their own cars. That’s almost a rule! That’s why it’s my pleasure to show you the finished product when they do.

This is th 1932 Hot Rod “Shop Truck” is owned by Glenn Kramer of Hot Rod Interiors, located in Glendale Arizona.

Glenn says, “I’ve been doing upholstery since 1980, and decided the best ride for me would be an all around hot rod shop truck that I could use for work & play.”

If you can’t reach Glenn at his website, or cruising his cool new shop truck at the Mesa Cruise or downtown on Central, then head over to his website at hotrodinteriorsbyglenn.com or give him a call at 623-872-2242.

Glenn will be the guy grinning ear to ear when you see him and his wife cruising all over in the shop truck. Way to go Glenn!

Bonnie’s Inteior Update – 27 Ford Rat Rod?

It’s about time I update everyone on the interior upholster on my 27 Ford Roadster. Now that the interior is done, is it a rat rod? I didn’t really think it was before, but who really cares. Now it’s got car carpet, a full seat and even sound insulation!

The interior was done by Todd over at “The interior Shop” in Phoenix. Todd was challenged by the inside of the modified roadster because there isn’t really much to secure the interior to and there’s also some funny compound curves. In the end, I think it came out great!

It looks like leather, but it’s not. It’s a distressed looking vinyl that’s perfect. When I put paint on, it’s gonna be cool and not your every day blood red. Below are the rest of the shots.

Thanks to everyone that voted for “option B” as drawn by Jimmy Smith from Jimmyshotroddesign.com. Here’s the link to that story if you missed it: 27 Roadster Interior you chose

Bonnie gets an Interior! Choose which one!

I’ve written before that the new friends I’ve made after starting MyRideisMe.com are so much better then the friends I used to have. Wait, no… I mean… I’ve met some great people.

One of those outstanding new friends is Jimmy Smith from Jimmy’s Hot Rod Design. I called Jimmy to see if he could give some advice for the interior of my 1927 Ford Modified, “Bonnie”. I’ve owned the car for (god has it been that long?!) over 7 years and I’ve never put an interior in. I’ve got buy with a foam pad and recently a crappy seat I made myself. I’ve also had to put up with the, “You gonna put an interior in that thing?” questions. Well yea, finally I am. That’s where you come in.

When I asked Jimmy for advice, I was hoping for reference pics or maybe some color ideas or even a magazine or two to check out. Jimmy’s another guy who routinely flushes more hot rod history and knowledge then most folks, probably including me. That’s why he does work for several well known hot rod shops like Squeeg’s Kustoms and Pinkee’s Hot Rod shop.

Just because he’s cool, Jimmy did alot more. He threw down these sketches, along with the overall concept sketch. He didn’t have to, but he got in a groove and followed it. I think you’ll agree, the concept is right on. He nailed everything I wanted: The new oval tank placement (he even drew it laying down!) the unpainted hood with the leather straps and my new wheels and tires.

Jimmy then went way beyond my expectations with 3 interior ideas. I like them all, but now, I’ve got to choose one! What do you think? I have my favorite, but I want consensus. In honor of the upcoming election.

It’s time to vote.

Interior concept A:

Interior concept B:

Interior concept C:

So choose! A, B or C? You can also mix and match… such as Interior A with panel B.

By the way, dig the cool tonneau Jimmy drew in and also, just to blow your mind, dig the dash panel he thought up. It’s a custom piece, but I need this.

So get to voting and do it quick! I want to have the interior done for the Scottsdale Goodguys show here in November. I’ve only got a few weeks!

And if you want to get ahead on your project concept, get in touch with Jimmy Smith from Jimmy’s Hot Rod Design. In just a few days you can be scratching your head with a tough decision to make!