Archives

Project Details

Fabric 1

Leather Hides
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabric
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Fabric 2

Suede
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabric
Primary Use: Secondary Fabric

Fabric 3

Silver Star Headlining
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabric
Primary Use: Secondary Fabric

Fabric 4

Florida Marine
Producer/Manufacturer: W Wiggins Ltd
Primary Use: Additional Fabric

Fabrication Company
Ramage Sheetmetals & Axis CNC

Please describe the project specifications

“Sal” was delivered on a transporter Fresh from a major panel and paint make over, looking stunning in the sun.

The owner had a blank canvas, so together we spent quite a bit of time working colours, textures and design ideas. The owner couldn’t visualize the concepts so we sewed quite a few samples together, eventually arriving at the style. The overriding theme was not to take away from its Mustang Heritage, so the look is borrowing design ques from “Ford”.

What is unique or complex about the project?

We entered this project because the outcome exceeded our clients expectations and the finish was high end and classy. Every job we do is unique to the vehicle so each project has a different style, feel and challenges. What was unique about this job was starting with a blank canvas, trying to keep the traditional style while meshing this with other design cues.

We stared with a blank canvas as the interior was gutted. Our first job was patterning a new headlining from scratch then constructing and installing. We also made new sun visors from scratch in the same silver star vinyl for a touch of glamour.

Our next project was to bring the dash faica back to life. We removed from the dash fascia panel and started patterning. This was technical because we were using two different materials with different stretch, a black vinyl and charcoal suede with a red accent stitching, subtle but effective. We also added LED lighting to old original mounts under the dash.

A major challenge was to make central console as this vehicle never had one originally. We patterned this from scratch out of cardboard to get the initial shape for it to be aesthetically pleasing. Once we were happy we constructed this out of plywood. We got out fabricators to make a metal centre insert with a stainless steel gear lever ring to look like a factory one. We had to ensure we incorporated a centre armrest, drink holders, phone charger, place for cell phone, reversing camera hidden in cubby holder, stainless steel surround on manual transmission shifter and leather gear lever boot. This also has to be easy to removable for any servicing. Once we had all of that design features in place we covered in black vinyl with charcoal cloth on armrest top and centre panel with red stitching accents again.

Door panels were removed and used as the basic design style. We made new plastic door cards, added pleated design lines as per our own design ideas which matched the seats. We changed the armrest shape slightly and covered them in black leather with charcoal centre sections and red accent stitching to tie in with the dash fascia. Very clean but timeless design.

Next we made a “speaker box” to hold two 6 x 9” speakers under the rear parcel shelf to keep the stereo system hidden. We made the parcel shelf, covered it so the only thing you can see are the laser cut holes above speaker, very clean and functional.

The design concept for the seats had to include cloth and leather. Cloth had to be where you sit. The foam needed to be re designed to allow for wings on the seats. The original seats were all stripped to the frames and springing. We redesigned the seat foam and added “wings” to front seats for lateral support and comfort, a lot of time was spent getting the look right but also ensuring you could fold seat forward for passengers entry. This is where all the design concepts come into play with charcoal clot inserts, with wide pleats, the top panel with small pleats and the chrome accents in seat backs to tie with the chrome theme of the vehicle, piping was added to outside edges as per the original style. A lot of time was spent with attention to detail. Then we fitted the new chrome decorative panels on the outside edge of the seats for the “mustang look. The rear seats were then marked out, patterned, re-foamed and covered to match the front seats for the finished look. The carpet fitted was loop pile black as per the original look.

We feel justifiably proud of this Mustangs finished interior. The owner was very emotional when she viewed the finished car as had only seen it small unfinished bites. It was a pleasure working with a committed and enthusiastic owner.

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