[jlobert]

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, my name is Jody. I want to have the interior of my '78 242 DL restored. The car is in gret shape, but the interior needs some help. I haven't found anyone in the Pittsburgh, PA area who is willing or capable of doing this. I did find CalSwedish in Sacramento, they are willing to do it, but with the shipping costs so high, I'd like to find a closer person. CalSwedish seems very capable, and they do other mechanical work, but it would be nice to find a more local shop.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good interior restoration person, or shop? Anywhere on the east coast would be good, but I'm looking for any suggestions or references.

This car has been in my family since it was new, and I want to get it looking nice. It's got 328,000 miles, and still going strong.

Thank you!
Jody

 

[gdill2]

Re: Interior restoration for '78 242 DL - recommendations? (jlobert)

Jody;

How much restoration?

Do you plan to replace the carpets/underlayment?

Repair any floor rust?

New headliner?

Door panels?

Dash? Console?

Remove, rebuild and re-cover all seats?

Repaint visible steel? Replace plastic parts?

You are looking at big $$$ if you farm out all parts and labor.

Let us know what you envision as the final product (show car, daily-driver, etc.) and your maximum $$$ as this could decide how and where you do the fix.

George Dill

 

[jlobert]

Re: Interior restoration for '78 242 DL - recommendations? (gdill2)

Hi George,

I'd like to refurbish the interior as much as possible. Remove, rebuild and re-cover all seats - yes. New carpets, in both interior and trunk, with some padding/sound insulation underneath carpet and firewall area. New headliner, yes, and new sun visors. I'd like to get the door panels recovered too, along with a new drivers side map pocket. The only part of the dash that I need is the top covering that usually cracks with sun exposure.

There's no rust to repair, no steel to paint. The body is very solid and the painted areas are good now. I'm not looking for a show car, just a very nice 'occasional driver' that would see 2-4k miles a year, would be always garaged, never driven in snow. Max dollar amount... that's hard to say. I haven't had any numbers from potential vendors, so I'm not sure what this will cost.

Thanks,
Jody

How much restoration?

Do you plan to replace the carpets/underlayment?

Repair any floor rust?

New headliner?

Door panels?

Dash? Console?

Remove, rebuild and re-cover all seats?

Repaint visible steel? Replace plastic parts?

You are looking at big $$$ if you farm out all parts and labor.

Let us know what you envision as the final product (show car, daily-driver, etc.) and your maximum $$$ as this could decide how and where you do the fix.

George Dill

 

[gdill2]

Re: Interior restoration for '78 242 DL - recommendations? (jlobert)

Jody;

Here is a Hatfield, PA restoration shop that will do all the work to your specs. A long drive from your place but may be worth a look...

http://www.bentmetalcustoms.com/home.html

George Dill