MTFCA Forum

I recently was asked to help a friend with his Cartouche upholstery. I have never seen such a lack of research and responsibility as I witnessed with this kit. I usually dislike anything that is a reproduction, but this one takes the cake. I wonder why Langs and Snyders even carry that brand? Shame on them.

Larry... It seems that you should be the first class upholsterer that we should all go to..... Your negative mindset preempted any positive results. No matter who you order upholstery from, one always needs to add some cotton batting to plump out the cushions according to their taste..... After you calm down you can help your friend.... Have a great weekend, and be safe.

My '22 Touring has the original upholstery still in decent condition.
The original Top was another story.
I got the new top from Clastique and it was fantastic.
Only took a day, but the top looks great!
Sorry to hear that you are not satisfied; perhaps you should have contacted them first to see if the situation could be fixed by Clastique.

Regards,

Steve Boothroyd

When you start out expecting to be disappointed you almost certainly will be. You would be better served by simply avoiding them. By the way, do you have a better idea or do you just get a thrill from complaining.

Yep...exactly why Classtique is the best by far.

I recently replaced my top with a product from Cartouche. Worked just fine and they were a pleasure to deal with. Larry, what did they say to you when you contacted them about the issue?

David you are a comedian!!!! Never had a problem with their products either, yes cheaper than others in quality and price but does the job since most are not going for a trophy with limited use/budget. You can not buy the material and stitch it up for their price..., ask me how I know. Started my upholster apprenticeship at age 14. Maybe they have him on call block?

Hank

Well
I have used both brands of upholstery. Cartouche and Classtique.
Both worked and look fine for me. I’m glad there are different companies that still make T upholstery and people can make a choice. There are discrepancies in both products if you look close enough. If you don’t think so you just haven’t looked close enough. But I’m not going to complain about it. If you have an issue with them call or contact them but don’t get on here and complain to everybody about it.

Original goats, cows, and pyroxyls are no longer available. The Pyroxyl has been extinct in the wild since 1959, and the Nauga is critically endangered.

If you all want a little "Reality Check" Google "LeBaron-Bonney" or "Hampton Coach".
For those few that don't know, LeBaron-Bonny was THE number one retailer of reproduction Model A interiors. Their interiors were prize winners.
Hampton Coach was the equal in G.M., primarily Chevrolet. Absolutely beautiful work. As close a match to the original as you could find.
Then, LeBaron-Bonny decided to buy Hampton Coach. After all, same type of product, just a different brand. Right?
Then, one day, the employees reported for work to find the doors locked. Owners filed for bankruptcy. Done. There was talk of someone buying the business and getting it started up again. That was awhile ago. Haven't heard anything lately.
At least the Model A bunch now has a quality alternative. Classtique. The G. M. guys- hope you know how to run a sewing machine.

I have one car with Cartouche upholstery.

Cartouche is Ecklers. The service I have received from them is despicable. Because of this I never order anything from them anymore.

My 27 coupe is upholstered with a Cartouche kit. I didn't install it; I had a local classic car upholstery shop do it since they had the experience. They said it when on pretty straight forward with only a few modifications. I didn't ask them what those 'mods' were, but I sure can't see them.

https://www.google.com/search?q=dead+ho ... TxS3gfuCRM

Take your pick

A few years ago I purchased my first Model A. It was freshyly painted and had a Cartouche interior kit that was mostly in boxes. My wife and I finished the installation and it was OK. I would have asked more questions and likely paid more for a better kit had it not come with the car but I intended the car to be a driver, shows and points are not on my list of priorities. There were no instructions with the kit (I expect they were lost by the prior owner) but I called Ecklers and they promptly sent me a set and answered questions that I had about some minor issues. I have heard many stories about Ecklers and they did better by me than I expected. Would I go to them for parts or another kit? No probably not unless they were the only game in town but that's just me and a variety of other folks.

Not meant to defend or explain any company, but I’d say it’s very difficult to put instructions on how to upholster an auto or install a top. Auto trimmers are a real trade and it takes years to master the craft. Some would say it never can be mastered, but always improved on. Most model Ts are on the low rung as far as difficulty, and if you choose to do it yourself, it may just look like it, no matter where you buy your kit.

Some of the problems are with the bows themselves. Some used ones are bent and hard to get in alignment. Others are a mixed set from several cars, using the best parts. And the length of the wood or the curve of the bent pieces of wood are not quite correct. So any installation needs some minor adjustments. Seat springs are also difficult. New ones might not be exactly the same as original, and used ones might be bent. Especially on the cars with the gas tank under the seat. Unless there is a piece of wood or steel under the seat, they tend to bend down and ride on top of the tank.
Also the amount of padding in the seat could be too little or too much and can also be adjusted according to the weight and leg length of the driver.
Anyway, many things can affect the fit of the upholstery and tops and I personally think it's great there are companies who make the kits. Most of us don't have the sewing machines or knowledge of how to use them and upholstery shops charge a lot more to make a custom top.
Anyway, I have used both brands, and most important thing I have found is not to cut or trim anything until I know it is fitting as well as I can get it.
Norm

What I enjoy is how Original Smith can twiddle a stick into a beehive, the reactions often creating an enjoyable and educational thread.

Sorry to be a downer, but badmouthing a supplier and a supplier's product is not amusing to me, and it is not acceptable on this Forum if rules mean anything. Rather than sell a product which does not meet one man's expectation, am I to suppose to understand that suppliers offer NOTHING to their customers if that product falls short of perfection? I'm not aware of any other upholstery vendor that wholesales to the hobby, but I may be mistaken.

Count me as someone who does not find these ever more frequent rants either clever or charming, but simply very bad form.

Seems to me if all a poster can do is offer negativity, maybe they should no longer be allowed to post. I, for one have been pleased with almost everything every after-market provider has sold to me. Have I had to work at the installation occasionally? Yes. But folks, that's the hobby...and the fun.

I am surprised Larry has not purchased Chaffin's and shown all of us the correct way to run a wholesaler, along with his upholstery shop. I am just dying with anticipation!

Dave..... Spoke to a few friends, off the forum of course, that share your same conclusion... And he would even have help with a few others that do post that have the " do it my way or take the highway" mental attitude.

**********

There are readers on this forum who refuse to listen to the truth, which is the reason for the forum. If you don't like my messages, then, don't read them! I'm only trying to help those who might be sucked into buying an inferior item. Oh, I failed to mention, the upholstery buttons used for my initial post are incorrect too. They are one size too big, and are covered with upholstery fabric too, which Ford didn't do!

TWrenn wrote: ↑

Sat May 28, 2022 6:12 pm

Yep...exactly why Classtique is the best by far.

I've had a not so pleasant experience with Mike from classique,
it was several years ago
also spoke to others who experienced same ill never go public, beyond this, just saying he does not walk on water.
contact me off line if you choose
apologize in advance to anyone who feels this negative post.

Saw a wolf today......

Original Smith wrote: ↑

Tue May 31, 2022 10:10 am

Oh, I failed to mention, the upholstery buttons used for my initial post are incorrect too. They are one size too big, and are covered with upholstery fabric too, which Ford didn't do!

Three days later and almost 2 dozen posts to the thread, the mention of the incorrect upholstery buttons is the first mention of any specific problem or shortcoming other than a general complaint about lack of research and responsibility. What are the issues with the kit, beyond the buttons?

https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends- ... 0671027034 Works for some and some it doesn’t.

"There are readers on this forum who refuse to listen to the truth"

Truer words were never spoken...

Just what is the truth, Tim?

is it that Lang's and Snyders should be ashamed to offer the ONLY kit offered wholesale to the hobby?

is it that Lang's and Snyders should cease selling any product which fails to be 100% authentic for the original?

is it the fact that Larry states that he hates reproductions of anything, and thus cannot help but be disappointed with anything but NOS cloth?


I know that "truth" is your schtick, but here is the TRUTH: From Forum Rules - Making derogatory remarks about a competitor, a competitor’s products or other products is not allowed and may result in disciplinary action up to and including loss of your forum use privileges.

I, for one, am happy with Clastique. I am happy we have Cartouche and all the other manufacturers who continue to support this hobby. I sure couldn't make what they are providing for the cost and research and acquisition of the materials that they do. I suspect that it may be difficult, if not impossible, to obtain some components correct for original, and thus they use the closest they can easily acquire. If they, or I, decided to produce the "correct" buttons or whatever component, it would simply not get done. My thanks and support for all the suppliers.

Scott- I guess the truth is whatever you say it is, but here are two facts (oh no!) that cannot be disputed:

1. I enjoy your contributions to the forum and the hobby
2. Your ability and willingness to consistently moderate my posts is unparalleled

The movie that Jack Nicholson was in and made the comment You can’t handle the truth played the part of playing a self absorbed A*” H’*# pretty well. And that is the truth.
Some don’t have to be a good actor to play parts like that. It just comes naturally.

When I sent Mike at Classtique the original leather seat cover from my Flanders to use as a pattern for a custom seat kit, I requested and offered to pay for additional cotton padding so that I could make the recovered seat "extra poofy". Mike happily complied and I actually ended up with some cotton left after stuffing it to the max.

Mike at Classtique, supplied me with interior and top for my 1924 touring. Excellent quality, easy to install and if I had questions, a quick call and he straightened me out. Good place to do business with!!!!