Restoring your classic car is a project that takes weeks, months, and sometimes even years. Yet, a common mistake when restoring a vehicle, is putting in a top of the line motor, with a second-rate interior. 

​A completely restored vehicle is often judged on a whole, by the quality of its interior. When it comes to upholstery, you get what you pay for. You don’t want all your time and money of your restoration to reflect a second or third-rate restoration, due to the upholstery.  

​In order to plan for success, budget early in the game. While you organize a total overhaul restoration of the body, and motor, also organize the upholstery and interior. It will give you a better idea of the total cost, as well as a steady point to steer the direction of the project.  For example, an experienced interior craftsmen can provide pointer to make sure the body fabrications or paint work match with the interior.

​It is likely that if you’re doing a total restoration that you will use multiple specialist. Plan ahead for specialist that do engine, paint, chrome, and upholstery. It might be cheaper to hire specialist individually, rather than having the shop subcontract other specialist. If you plan from the beginning, it will be easier to know all aspects, of what your project will need to be completed. 

An interior restoration or complete auto restoration project can add up quickly. It's important to obtain a total number for the entire restore project before you get started. I've seen it time and time again: the owner depletes a large percentage of his budget on one aspect of the restore process only to have their project abandon and their automobile sitting for years on end partially restored.

Planning a project in phases, can give you an opportunity to budget for high-quality work. Set a budget early, and make sure the parameters of the project such as parts, materials, and price, are estimated for each phase. Remember a verbal agreement means nothing if there were to be any problem down the line. It is crucial, to make sure every aspect of your agreement, even subcontracts are in writing, before the transfer of any funds, or work begins on your restoration.

​Unless you already have a particular professional in mind, visit and compare a few restoration shops within your area. Make sure to notice if the shops have lots of tools, or a paint room. Feel free to ask for a quote, and if the shop can accommodate your project, or will they most likely subcontract some areas? Use the information that you learn comparing the auto restoration shops to help you decided which one best fits your classic car’s needs.  

• Cleanliness
  You don’t want to trust a shop that looks like they need to get their act together with your classic restoration. Cleanliness can be a quick way to indicate shop quality, and how well they will care for you vehicle.
  
• Evaluate
  With most restoration there is little formal training, or certification for upholstery, or interior work. So, you must evaluate the quality, and extent of previous completed projects. Feel free to ask them about any show car awards the shop may have won, or photos of past work. Also make sure to clarify who will be performing the work on your vehicle, and how much experience they have.
  
• Protection
  You don’t want to leave your high-end car (or soon to be high-end) in a shop for a few weeks, that doesn’t have a secure building. You also want to make sure that the shop takes protective measures to ensure nothing gets scratched or damaged while they work on different phases. 
  
• Quality Materials
  Yeah, you can save money by buying your own materials. However, if they don’t hold up, you are on your own. If you use coverings that is recommended by the shop, they are more than likely tried and true quality products, which they stand behind. However, if you must buy your own, know that only automotive-grade fabrics should ever go into a vehicle, and buy top brands directly from a reputable manufacturer or brand. Want to know the best brand and materials for your project? Ask your shop’s recommendations on what you should buy. 
  
• The Right Job
  When it comes to classic cars, there are three levels of upholstery work that can be done. Street car, show car, hobby car. You should make sure to find a professional that is aware of the difference. If you are talking to one that is unaware of the difference, find someone who does. 
  
  
  

​Any type of professional restoration shop can do a classic car, but the look you get differs with the type of shop you use. For example a restoration shop uses a professional technicians and quality materials to get excellent results. However, if you want a special design, or upholstery done is a specific way, then you may not find that particular technique in a restoration shop. A custom shop can get you any look you want, and can add upholstery wherever you would like. 

You want a shop that welcomes your drop-ins, involvement and encourages you to check on your vehicle’s continual progress. How can you be sure that the shop is maintaining your vision, or requests without being involved with the restoration process?

One way to keep up regular communication, is through regular interval billing. Regular interval billing will encourage consistent communication, as well as frequent updates on the status, and the progression of your project. If you are unable to drop in personally, use this as an opportunity, for the shop to keep you informed, with emails, and photos.  It is also nice, to ask the shop take extensive photos of anyway of each step, repair, or upgrade.

​Having step-by-step photographic evidence of your vehicle’s journey will not only be a nice memento, but may be an advantageous selling feature one day.

Fun restoration video for your viewing pleasure
1965 Mustang Fastback restored from beginning to end, 26 months of work in under 5 minutes. Cheers! 

​When you think of a classic restoration, your mind may instantly go to the exterior. However, the interior is just as serious as an undertaking. Take a realistic approach to the project of restoring your classic car. In other words, take your time, shop around, do research and prepare a realistic budget. Keep in mind that you can find original factory specification, and photographs for guidance. Or have some fun hunting down the perfect parts, and accessories. If you don’t have that kind of time, or the patience, let your auto restoration specialist help you. It is important to remember that very few things go as easy as you assume it will go, to help yourself ,making plan is the best approach.

Here is a list of a few things you should consider before you start restoring the interior of your classic car.

​Learn all you can about the classic car you are about to restore. If you don’t know a personal auto enthusiast who can help, don’t be afraid to search the internet, books, magazines, or even seek a professional to help steer your project in the right direction. What are you trying to learn about? Learn about anything, and everything that could possibly help you with the restoration of the car of your dreams. For example, look at vintage ads, photobooks, and classic portfolio, anything that may help inspire the authenticity of your restauration. By learning all about your vehicle, it will help you realize what you want your restoration to be like, and the spirt you want your completed classic car to have.

​Before you begin consider whether this auto restoration vehicle is for a hobby car, or for your main form of transportation. Restoring anything takes a lot of time and money, so you want to make sure that your goal and intentions are clear from the beginning. The upholstery for a hobby or an everyday car will be very different depending on what your needs.

​Find out how much your interior replacements will cost, and add a little wiggle room for unexpected fixes. However, once you set your budget, it should be a solid figure, commit to yourself, and don’t exceed it.

​While you may think you can handle buffing, and polishing the finishes, you’d be amazed at the magic that professional detailers can reveal. You may realize that certain items, you thought would need replacing, now look good as new.

​Do a thorough inspection of the vehicle, scrutinizing each section. Take note of the conditions of each interior body part, and electrical.

​Your project will undoubtedly need the help of a professional at some point. A professional will save you time, and money because they will complete tasks the right way, the first time. With your own best interests at heart, make a detailed list of all the items you will want to get done by a professional, and get quotes. You can use this information so you can properly form a budget. Remember to honor yourself, and stick to your budget. 

1975 Ford Bronco
This customer owned this truck since it was new. They raised their kids in it and was the wife's grocery get er for  many years. We are pulling it all apart, rebuilding the motor and all suspension, brakes, steering, and body. The body was sent off to get blasted and floor panels ordered. However for a Bronco the body was intact and the body was solid due to being an Arizona car. Dad wanted to scrap it,   but Mom wasn't done driving it ,so Dad is fixing it back to new for Mom. Don't tell me wife's don't have a say on how men spend their money. 

Again ,another car pulled from other shops to get finished. This 1957 Thunderbird had most of the bodywork done when it arrived, however we found much of the work had to be redone and fine tuned to meet our and our customers expectations. The doors were fitted along with the hood and deck lid. The body was blocked several times and painted completely with black urethane. The body was mated with the frame again and assembly began. This car will be judged and is expected to do very well. We will keep you posted on progress and judging.

This Blazer was recommended to us from Chucks Speed Center. They are rebuilding the engine and transmission while we straightened the body and aligned all the panels., The body was sprayed,core support and aprons powder coated and all new trim was added. We upholstered the interior in the original plaid and white. What a great way cruise the family around Keep an eye open for one cool Blazer   Oh by the way the complete job was done in less than two months! I t would have been shorter but we had to wait on the plaid material.

Bobs Custom Paint - Cars in restoration at our Glendale Shop.

The rebuild of a sweet 40 Ford.