I'm restoring my '56 Ford Fairlane Club Sedan and I'm nearing the stage were I need to consider upholstery. I see that I can buy the material from some vendors, or completed "covers" from other sources. The problem is I don't know anything about quality or reputation of the vendors and I'm hoping I can get some recommendations from forum members who've gone through this already. Am I better off buying the correct yardage and paying an upholstery shop to make and install the covers for me, or should I buy a kit with the covers already made up? And which vendor/s has the best reputation for quality materials? I would really appreciate some guidance and suggestions. I want to keep the look as close to original as possible. Thank you! Ron.

If you are considering going the custom sewed route there is a supplier of NOS interior fabrics called SMS, located in Canby, Or. I have been to their location and they do have a tremendous amount of inventory. I believe they are set up to recreate embossing on vinyl for door panels.They have been around for quite a while, you can usually find their add in Hemmings.

Jeff Petersen

Not sure , but I believe Le Baron Bonney in the east has complete kits for your car. Enquire... As for SMS in Oregon, I hesitate to flat out recommend them. Bought seat inset material from them for my 57 Fairlane 500. They shipped two different lots which didn't match well. I complained & they did sent further material, so that got sorted out. However, they claimed it was an exact reproduction. It's close but not exact, as the original had a blue thread intertwined in it, there stuff doesn't..

Paul

If you want it correct Le Boron Bonney is the best bet, not cheap but well worth the money. I've bought 4 kits from them and ABC who they bought out in the last 15 years.

Many thanks to all of you for those suggestions. I now have a couple of suppliers I can look to for what I need. Ron

I just got some info including samples from LeBoron Bonney. The material looks great. A kit for seats & door panels is about a grand, which isn't bad...

Doing Fords for 45 years. '56 Customline Victoria

E.J. in Havana FL

I am going to get the material for my 55 from LeBarron Bonney for my 55 and stitch them up myself.

Butchering up everything I can get my hands on in Dayton Ohio