$1000 to $20,000 depending on a whole bunch of variables, which you didn't describe, about your car or what you want it to be when you're done
Take a look at @flynbrian48 's car. Then at my T. Add in a top frame. That's why @squirrel 's range is so wide. Materials alone can vary the cost by thousands of dollars. https://leatherhidestore.com/auto-upholstery-leather-interior
My buddy got his 1930 Model A Roadster done with pleated vinyl for $2,500. Seat, kick panels, door panels and carpet. They also did the trunk. Sorry no pics.
I did my roadster for about $50. Interior was already completely carpeted, just bought some restaurant replacement seat cushions, and used heavy duty Velcro to attach them to the carpet… Not as cool as RodStRace’s interior though…
This same Q, came up by my son Lance,over 15 years back. I was helping him build his dream hotrod 23 T bucket, 350/350 power train. We were close to done,and I drew,from his upholstery ideas,he told me about; That was so he could take the drawing to a shop n ask about cost ??? He ended up going too a few places around town {Its Miami Fla. so lots of shops do custom car upholstery. He was told a wide spread of Cost,from $2500 too $ 6000 an one at $8500; He an I were shocked=It's a 23 glassT-bucket body with bracing n seat foam n frame,I already did !;;;; T's are Small with seat bottom n back,plus two door panels.rug n cockpit edge*,with even design worked out!!! He was very upset with what he was told, an close to ready to sell off< We had done all the work on low bucks,with used parts we got from others who had given up,so far low cost so far.. This is what we did at home;; Hope it helps! We saved a lot $,Lance thinks it's better then the pro shops would of done anyway!! Plus learned a lot,had fun with my Son. A big plus. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/tech-sew-at-home-upholsrety-hot-rod.604077/ I also did a Do it your self> How to folding top at home. The finial drawing we used to put it together !
My roadster is all leather including the trunk (or boot). 10k with German square weave rugs but not including the Hartz cloth top. Very pro job by Dave Fegan (sp) before he upped and moved to Idaho (common occurrence in this state). Some of the locals send their cars to him still, he is that good.
He did a 55 Chevy that was owned by a guy up here. It was $40K USD. Very nice car, interior cost him more money than I have in 5 cars. I could see a roadster with a top being nearly that too.
Prices depend on a lot of things. Material choice, amount of material used, (think T-bucket verses 32 Ford roadster with trunk area) also location. California will cost you more than say Indiana. The last factor is skill level of upholsterer and his fame. Gabe in California is going to cost you way more than Jim's Boats & Cars Upholstery in Littleville, Ky. !0 years ago prices were in the $3500 range in Louisville, Ky. for a 40 Ford coupe inside & trunk. Now it probably is around $7500 or more. Go to local car shows & if you see a car close to yours & you like their interior as the owner who did it & how much they paid. I'm sure they would tell you. Good luck.
friend of mine is building a fairly high end off topic muscle car roadster shop chassis new high horse LS and trans. priced out the build estimated the interior for $25,000.the owner Told him who he wanted to do the interior got a quote of 125,000 when asked how he missed it by so much he said he didn't
I did my own with foam, plywood, vinyl, batting and a staple gun and ABS plastic sheet for the panels. Probably had 500-600 in the interior and the carpet cost $150 (I cheated and farmed that out haha).
Hey, just used it as a fancy, quality example! The OP asked about pro work cost. I'd say you got a lot for your money!
I asked a friend about the 32 roadster he had done recently. He furnished the leather, the upholstery shop furnished the carpet, foam and other materials needed. The shop built the seat, did the whole interior plus the trunk and the shops bill was just under $4K. This shop has done about 15-16 all 32's and 1 40 for me and if any of you have seen my cars you know the interior is always top shelf. I normally always furnish the leather because I can control the quality.
The top is the biggest variable. If the top is a stock configuration and if a pre-sewn top kit is available it will be a fraction of the price of making it up from scratch. If the top has upholstery on it yet that could be copied, that would also shave off a lot of labor time. I've been dipping my toes into upholstery lately and the amount of time saved if there's existing upholstery to measure off of, even if it's shredded rags, even if you're not reusing the design, is surprising. Not necessarily related to this particular question but I feel like a lot of builders do themselves a huge disservice by ripping out old seat covers and door panels because they're "junk anyways", adding huge amounts of time to the interior work.
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