MTFCA Forum

I'll be going through Classtique Upholstery and pulling the trigger on a full new interior for my 23' Touring car in the near future.

I was curious if anyone has any recommended upholstery shops in or near my area that I can trust to do a great job?
I don't mind traveling, but if something was within 3-5 hours that would be perfect.

When I was 18 in 1972, I ordered a complete upholstery kit from “Carter’s Cut and Cover” (went out of business when the owner died) for my 1926 coupe. Money was tight, so I decided to do it myself. It came with great instructions making it surprisingly easy and fun. I wound up with beautiful job. I suggest ordering the kit and when you get it, review the instructions and seriously explore the possibility of doing it yourself. I hear Classtique kits are very good and the panels fit well. You may surprise yourself while saving a lot of money. Jim Patrick

I did my Coupe upholstery but a touring is definetely more complicated to do with the top and the seats and the fact that it is a different material. I would probably lean toward having someone more experienced do it.

I bought a upholstery kit from Classtique and installed it in my 21 T Touring myself. The instructions were pretty though on what you should. The seat upholstery is already pleated and to me that’s the hard part to do. I bought new springs from Snyder’s and all went well.

I haven’t done the top yet but maybe someday. It’s fun driving as it is.

Jarrod, if you belonged to the MTFC or MTFCI, you would find the ad in the classified.

That is why it does not really cost anything to belong to both clubs - the benefits of knowing where to get parts and information.

John kuehn wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 06, 2022 10:55 pm

I bought a upholstery kit from Classtique and installed it in my 21 T Touring myself. The instructions were pretty though on what you should. The seat upholstery is already pleated and to me that’s the hard part to do. I bought new springs from Snyder’s and all went well.

I haven’t done the top yet but maybe someday. It’s fun driving as it is.

John,
On a touring car, can you leave the current top in place and replace the rear seat material easily?
I wasn't sure how the top attaches compared to how the rear seat attaches.

Jarrod...as I recall, when Elizabeth came to my house to install my upholstery, she required the top be entirely off the car. Seems the back panels overlap rhe sest material at the wood on top of the seat.

Jarrod
I’m thinking the upholstery on the car needs to completed first then the top is attached to the back of the rear seat. You would need to remove the top from where it’s attached in the back then install the new upholstery. The next step would be to reattach the top to the back. I’ve never done it but I think that’s right.

Jarrod:

To elaborate on what Tim posted above, regardless if you do or do not remove the top assembly from the car, in order to remove the old upholstery and install new upholstery on the rear seat back of a touring, you need to remove the tacks at the bottom of the rear curtain of the top where it attaches to the wooden tack rail.

Once you do the above, you might as well lower the top and remove the entire top assembly from the car. Removing the top makes it easier to install the upholstery on the front and rear seat cushions: 1) the top isn't in the way of the installer 2) the top doesn't interfere with the light so it's easier for the installer to see what they are doing.

TWrenn wrote: ↑

Thu Sep 08, 2022 9:21 am

Jarrod...as I recall, when Elizabeth came to my house to install my upholstery, she required the top be entirely off the car. Seems the back panels overlap rhe sest material at the wood on top of the seat.

Tim,
Where do you live that Elizabeth came to your house?
I assume you mean Elizabeth of https://class-it-up.com/.
That would be awesome if they came to install the entire kit.

Also, thanks for everyone educating me on how the rear seat upholstery/top interact with each other.
That does make sense.

Classtique used to offer an install service. They would come to your location. Just needed electric and a place to park. I don’t know if they still do this

Mike purchased Classtique from Elizabeth - she has her own travelling installation business now.

Elizabeth Estepp and her husband sold their home in Ham Lake, MN two years ago and purchased a winery in North Branch. My father and I visited her a few months ago.

https://www.northridgewinery.com/

You'll have to ask her if she still does mobile top and upholstery installation.

Jarrod...I live in N. Central Ohio.
Per what Erik said...have to try to call her and see if she even still does mobile work. This was like 6 years ago for me, and she tries to "route" jobs in a manner to not waste mileage. She did mine on the way to Texas and Florida. Man was she and her helper good! Worth every penny.

I bought my kit for our 24 touring from Mike at Classtique. He does not offer installation services at this time. Elizabeth is tied up with the winery and she really does not want to do upholstery anymore or that’s the impression she gave me.
I had no idea how to do the top or upholstery. With the help of Mike and his videos, we were able to do the job. Take your time. Go at it slow. An electric or air stapler is the best money you can spend for the job. And don’t be afraid to pull tacks out if you don’t like the way things are going.
Two people was the only way I could get things straight and tight! Can’t imagine doing it alone!
Good luck!

So it seems that Classtique will only make the kits and not do installation. Or so it seems.
I would imagine Mike has the patterns and enough of them to stay in business. This is my guess.

One thing Mike USED to do, and still might, is install the material on the seat bottoms. Boy was it worth it for me. They really turned out great.