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How-To Install New Seat Upholstery

Recovering the Seats Is a Big Step in Restoring an Interior

By Miles Cook
photographer: Miles Cook

We began resurrecting the standard interior in a '69 Mustang SportsRoof. While the cabin in this vintage Mustang needed lots of help, it was a worthwhile endeavor since the rest of the car was in nice shape, sporting a 351W small-block to go along with the recently installed T5 five-speed transmission that we detailed in the July '03 issue.

http://images.mustangmonthly.com/howto/173_0310_seat_01_s.jpg
Here's a before-and-after to get your attention. Admittedly, the driver seat (left) was worn out, and the freshly re-covered passenger seat provides quite a contrast. When we started, the passenger seat was relatively presentable, but the driver seat needed a complete overhaul. We figured after 34 years, the cabin could use a redo, which will last another 34 years, if not more.

In the August 2003 issue, we replaced highly visible bits, like the interior carpeting, door panels, sill plates, quarter-pillar panels, and rear package tray. Here, we concentrate on one, albeit big thing--the front and rear seat upholstery. As was the case for all the above-mentioned goodies, everything is available from National Parts Depot, which conveniently has warehouses in California, North Carolina, Florida, and Michigan. NPD can deliver just about any vintage Mustang part to anywhere in the lower 48 states within a day or two.

As far as installing the covers, unless you're adept at doing your own upholstery work, you need to enlist the skills of a good upholstery shop, such as Mike Ambrose Custom Interiors. If you're in the SoCal area, Mike and shop tech Brian Burke are great resources. Just plan ahead because Mike and Brian--since they're so good at what they do--are always busy, but they're worth the wait.

In addition to the upholstery kit, NPD offers new seat buns, shown here in the following caption sequence summarizing their installation.


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