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Project Details

Fabric 1

Reno leather
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabrics
Primary Use: Seating and panels

Fabric 2

GM white leather
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabrics
Primary Use: Seating and panels

Fabric 3

GM white matching vinyl
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabrics
Primary Use: Panels

Fabric 4

Sylvester Coal.
Producer/Manufacturer: Warwick Fabrics
Primary Use: Trunk lining

Fabric 5

Carpet Loop pile bright Blue 506
Producer/Manufacturer: Le Mans Auto Fabrics
Primary Use: Interior Carpet

Please describe the project specifications

The 1957 Cadillac Brougham was a top of the line ultra luxury model, hand built in very low numbers. This car was purchased in the USA to become part of our clients collection of classic cars. The car was to have a cosmetic restoration with new paint, chrome and interior. The client wanted to change the interior colour from white and black leather to white and metallic blue leather and blue carpet. The headliner was in very good order and left as is at the clients request.
We needed a lot of leather and LeMans Auto Fabrics was able to air freight the required amount of 7 large hides from Europe with vinyl and carpet with in NZ.
This car was a massive job taking over 200 hrs to complete with a lot of intense and tricky parts of trim to upholster. The door panels are made from pressed aluminium and were originally painted but always failed so at our clients request these where covered in the leather instead. These cars were packed with extra features like a whiskey decanter set, cigarette pack holders, ladies perfume, lights every where and a front seat full of electric motors that weighs a ton. A lot of the car was apart when we received it but came with good photos and info from the restorer who was working on the car. The trunk was very well appointed being fully panelled and covered in a black fabric not a carpet. We managed to find a good match for the fabric using an upholstery fabric from Warwick Fabrics and used 6m to do the job. The final assembly of the interior was done by the restorer and the car is now used in a promotional campaign pretending to be a full size matchbox toy !

What is unique or complex about the project?

We do alot of classic cars but car was a once in a life time project due to its luxury spec and low build numbers. The time involved was immense at over 200 hrs and and including materials it was our biggest cost car interior to date. We have undertaken many cars for this client but this one by far was the best. The time taken on one job does take its toll mentally so good time management including the odd small job to give a change to the trimmer worked well. Having such a large car in the work shop for so long was a concern but with a designated area and barriers any damage was negated.

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