A muscle car has not been fully restored until the interior has been returned to original or like-new condition. Whether a car operates in a northern or southern climate, seats, carpets, and other equipment deteriorate and wear out over time. A factory-original and professional-grade interior restoration is critical for enjoying the driving experience. However, many enthusiasts and owners do not fully understand the techniques and procedures necessary to produce a premium-quality or original restoration.
While factory service manuals and magazine articles might cover bits and pieces of the interior restoration process, this book has been entirely dedicated to the process of restoring the interior. Muscle Car Interior Restoration provides expert insight into the tools, materials, techniques, and procedures for professionally completing a muscle car restoration. It covers instrument panel and dashboard restoration, electrical system restoration, firewall pad, steering wheel, steering column, and pedal restoration. It also provides insight and expert guidance for restoring carpet, headliners, doors, door panels, glass restoration or replacement, convertible top restoration, upholstery replacement, and vinyl and leather seat repair.
With the prices of muscle cars high enough to make Wall Street investors pay attention, a tasteful modified or quality restored interior will mean the difference of thousands - if not tens of thousands of dollars when it comes time to sell. Whether you're looking to cash in with a quality restoration, or just want to make the cockpit of your favorite muscle car a pleasant place to be, this book will help you do the trick.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started: Plans and Tools
Putting the Plan Together
Elements of Restoration
Priority List and Budget
Research
Organization
Properly Store Your Parts
Tools
Photographing the Project
Chapter 2: Instrument Panel and Dashboard Restoration
Instrument Panel Refurbishment
Instrument Restoration
Dashboard Restoration
Glove Box Restoration
Chapter 3: Electrical Component, Wiring and Radio Restoration
Electrical Theory and Components
Wiring Repair
Radio Upgrades
Chapter 4: Steering Wheel and Column, and Pedal Restoration
Steering Wheel Removal
Steering Wheel Repair and Restoration
Steering Column and Pedals
Chapter 5: Carpet and Headliner Restoration
Carpet Types and Ordering
Noise and Heat Barriers
Carpet Installation
Bow-Type Headliner
Shell-Type Headliner
Sail Panels
Chapter 6: Door Panel and Glass Restoration or Replacement
Door Panel Replacement
Interior Panel Reskinning
Hard Plastics Restoration
Glass Restoration
Adding Power Windows and Power Door Locks
Chapter 7: Convertible Top Restoration and Replacement
Disassembly
Fitting New Pads
Well Liner and Rear Window Replacement
Fitting the New Top
Chapter 8: Upholstery Repair, Restoration and Replacement
Installing New Seat Covers
Vinyl Repair
Seat Belt Restoration and Replacement
Source Guide
Muscle Car Clubs
A muscle car has not been fully restored until the interior has been returned to original or like-new condition. Whether a car operates in a northern or southern climate, seats, carpets, and other equipment deteriorate and wear out over time. A factory-original and professional-grade interior restoration is critical for enjoying the driving experience. However, many enthusiasts and owners do not fully understand the techniques and procedures necessary to produce a premium-quality or original restoration.
While factory service manuals and magazine articles might cover bits and pieces of the interior restoration process, this book has been entirely dedicated to the process of restoring the interior. Muscle Car Interior Restoration provides expert insight into the tools, materials, techniques, and procedures for professionally completing a muscle car restoration. It covers instrument panel and dashboard restoration, electrical system restoration, firewall pad, steering wheel, steering column, and pedal restoration. It also provides insight and expert guidance for restoring carpet, headliners, doors, door panels, glass restoration or replacement, convertible top restoration, upholstery replacement, and vinyl and leather seat repair.
With the prices of muscle cars high enough to make Wall Street investors pay attention, a tasteful modified or quality restored interior will mean the difference of thousands - if not tens of thousands of dollars when it comes time to sell. Whether you're looking to cash in with a quality restoration, or just want to make the cockpit of your favorite muscle car a pleasant place to be, this book will help you do the trick.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started: Plans and Tools
Putting the Plan Together
Elements of Restoration
Priority List and Budget
Research
Organization
Properly Store Your Parts
Tools
Photographing the Project
Chapter 2: Instrument Panel and Dashboard Restoration
Instrument Panel Refurbishment
Instrument Restoration
Dashboard Restoration
Glove Box Restoration
Chapter 3: Electrical Component, Wiring and Radio Restoration
Electrical Theory and Components
Wiring Repair
Radio Upgrades
Chapter 4: Steering Wheel and Column, and Pedal Restoration
Steering Wheel Removal
Steering Wheel Repair and Restoration
Steering Column and Pedals
Chapter 5: Carpet and Headliner Restoration
Carpet Types and Ordering
Noise and Heat Barriers
Carpet Installation
Bow-Type Headliner
Shell-Type Headliner
Sail Panels
Chapter 6: Door Panel and Glass Restoration or Replacement
Door Panel Replacement
Interior Panel Reskinning
Hard Plastics Restoration
Glass Restoration
Adding Power Windows and Power Door Locks
Chapter 7: Convertible Top Restoration and Replacement
Disassembly
Fitting New Pads
Well Liner and Rear Window Replacement
Fitting the New Top
Chapter 8: Upholstery Repair, Restoration and Replacement
Installing New Seat Covers
Vinyl Repair
Seat Belt Restoration and Replacement
Source Guide
Muscle Car Clubs