Original Interior Versus Mild Custom Interior

[Deleted User]

Hi All,

Getting ready to start the next (and probably biggest) phase of the work on my 46 Hudson: the interior. The car's interior was completely gutted by the previous owner. I still have all of the pieces (front seat is installed and in nice shape) have all the door panels, rear seat, etc. My car had the factory leather (which I am not going to duplicate because it's just too expensive). What I'd like to get from you all is your opinion on which way to go with the interior:
I could do it "very similar" to the original....same color scheme, as close to possible as the same patterns, and materials would now be either simulated leather and cloth, or cloth and a decent vinyl.
Or I could just do it my own way, probably using a different color scheme, not really following the material patterns too closely, and again using either simulated leather & cloth or good vinyl and cloth.

The reason I hesitate on which way to go is that I don't want to turn off Hudon buffs when I eventually decide to sell, but at the same time I don't want to spend a year's worth of college tuition on this interior trying to make it as original as possible if it's not going to make much difference in the overall appeal.

Thoughts/opinions/criticisms welcomed

Browniepetersen

I have been both ways on this one. I did a 52 Hornet with a color correct pattern of flowers and stuff. Expensive project that every woman that saw it loved it!!! Every man (car guy or not) laughed at it and hated it. I changed it back to "close to original" when it was time to sell it. I realize that some of the patterns of cloth are hard to find; however, with your car that is not a problem. My suggestion would be to go with original or close to original. You will be happy that you did....

Jon B

Can you go with a "sort of original", temporary interior, then gradually change it as you get the funds? You might start by just putting nice seatcovers on the seats, clean up and patch the headliner and door panels. Spend your money on the important things that keep the car running, and usable. Then you could go for the door panels, purchasing the correct materials and trying to do most of it yourself if possible. The headliner (pre-cut) will cost you between 1 and 2 hundred dollars (I think), and you can put that in yourself (though it's time consuming. Then, when you get a good job and start pulling in real money, you might have someone re-do the seats in the correct material.

When I got my car (I was 25 and could barely afford the $500 for the car) I did everything on the cheap, even spray painting the chrome trim with a white Krylon spray bomb. As I began to make more money, I gradually updated everything but (as anyone who knows me will agree) the car still isn't properly restored after 42 years. Still, I enjoy it.

charles4d

Amen go out and enjoy it

[Deleted User]

Fortunately I have a guy that will do the headliner for around $200 including materials, so I'll let him tackle that headache! I think I will start with the door panels just because the car looks so bare without them installed. I dont think I'll do anything wild pattern-wise (no flowers! hahaha) just regular cloth and vinyl mix. I wasnt too wild about the interior colors (dark blue with the creme cloth) because along with the car being black, I felt it made the car just "too dark" looking. I had toyed with the idea of painting the exterior a different color (a brighter color like a creame color or a goldnish bronze color) but so far everyone I've suggested that to as said keep it flat black. I hope to have this car more or less done in about 3 months time now that it's up and running!

[Deleted User]

If you can get your interior done in 3 months then folks should be asking you for tips!!!! I just finished the inside of my 54 and it took about a year between affording the parts and the time to install them. If you are going to repaint the car you will get a better finished job by doing this first and then installing the inside. I found it very difficult and time consuming doing the door panels and carpet ,seats and it costs allot.200 for a head liner is a deal.

commodorecollector

About the exterior.... check your paint code! Flat black was not a stock color back in 1946/7 so there is a good chance that your car was repainted at least once. It will be located on the right side top hinge on the A-pillar stamped into it. Once you find it, we can help you find out the exact color your Hudson came off the factory line.

[Deleted User]

Mine was definitely not black. It was green (they didn't do the door jambs well and the paint is peeling off there). I don't want to do it the green color though....I think I will either do flat black (because that I can do myself) or possibly a more modern color....I had been kicking around either a creme color sort of close to the color offered in 46, or a bronze color which would look interesting with the blue/white interior.
I've already done the dash a gloss black, with the window trim pieces silver metal flake. The radio surround I will do the mesh part black, the metal parts silver (the metal was too bad to even think about just polishing up) and then the block "HUDSON" letters in red to match the red lettering on the DRIVE MASTER.
3 months is my goal (I think it's also my wife's goal hahaha) I'm not allowed to let it just sit around and wait for me to get to it. We'll see how realistic that actually is going to be.

[Deleted User]

Here's how the dash is coming along

[Deleted User]

update of work done on the dash