My 64 Sedan Deville body reparations

[Matti Roth]

Several areas in my 64 SDV body need repair and attention. Front bumbers, grille and lights came separately with the car. There is one bigger rust damage behind passenger side front wheel. Windscreen has damage but I probably could pass MOT like it is now. Front bench fabric was badly broken in driver`s area. And many small things here and there.

I started by removing everything from trunk, and it was in quite original condition. Luckily no rust problems, only some brown old glue here and there. I vacuumed parts ajd put them back. Trunk fabric needs to be glued properly in place some day.

[Matti Roth]

Seat and carpets were removed when I got the car. I removed covers from seats, bought correct material from SMS and gave then to upholstery shop. Rear seat needs nothing but cleaning.

I cleaned the floor and gave it Bill Hirch Miracle Paint treatment. Carpets could cleaned somehow deeper, need to find a way for that.

Carpets have original padding under them but additionally there is a bunch a pieces of padding which should go between the floor and the carpet. And two black longer pieces as well! But which one goes where? This is like a big puzzle!!

[Matti Roth]

I installed sound deadening insulation material to floor and added original padding and carpets. Somehow I want to use original parts as much as possible even when that is maybe not the optimal solution.

Original carpet is in good condition. 

[Kurt]

That sound deadening material has a Louis Vuitton appearance. Very fancy! : )

[Matti Roth]

Rear seat getting ready. Front seat is waiting for repaired cover from upholstery shop. I got new fabric from SMS. Rear seat is all original.

[Kurt]

The back seat looks fantastic. Did they not emboss the Cadillac crest in the seat like they did in 1963? Just curious. Did you order fabric, leather and vinyl from SMS? How long did it take from purchase to delivery? I think mine took about 6 months back in 2006.

 

[Matti Roth]

Thanks Kurt.

I did not notice Cadillac crest there. These are original seats in the back. 
For front seats I ordered fabric from SMS, took about 4-5 months. They said that this fabric had ran out and they had to make a new batch.

[Matti Roth]

Front seat is slowly getting ready. New fabric is from SMS, and original vinyl and leather pieces were used. Upholstery shop did great work! I cleaned and painted the frames, and installed covers and buttons. Next step is to put 6way mechanism back after cleaning and refresh. 

[Chris Codd]

Wow, that seat turned out beautiful! 

[Matti Roth]

Thank you all for kind words. I am amazed how good condition the original parts are in the whole car. Seems that the only real problems are bumber lower buckets and rust damage under AC condenser. I got replacement buckets from USA but the driver side is somehow deformed and difficult to use.

[19riqs6furc4f]

This looks great. I want to do the same thing with my seat.  the fabric on mine is whipped but the vinyl is almost perfect. I was advised by an upholster that it wouldn't be a good idea to replace just the fabric because too many stitching holes on the vinyl would cause the seams to tear easily. Did your upholster have a special way of re-sewing to avoid this problem?  

[Matti Roth]

Thanks Phil

to be honest I do not how she did it. I can ask next time. Old vinyl and leather was used. I plan to do something for leather areas one day.

[3n49omug8n28i]

this brings back memories. You have the same interior as i do in my '64 sedan deVille. I got my seat fabric from SMS also. Keep up the great work and keep posting pictures of your progress. We love PICTURES.