I'm taking possession of a 1940 Ford Deluxe 2 door sedan next week and it has the original interior that is in pretty good shape, but I'd like to find a set of covers to use until I can afford to redo the seats. After searching for a couple hours I haven't been able to find any place to buy covers. Yes, I've found places that sell new upholstery kits that they call "covers", as in velour or vinyl upholstery that fits over your existing seat, but what I want is the old style plaid seat covers that you could put over your factory upholstery to protect your seat from wear. I see there are a few random sets on ebay, but isn't there anyone that sells NEW old style seat covers like I'm looking for? I hope there is someone that makes them to fit specific years, as I would imagine a 1940 Ford 2 door sedan would be a popular style to reproduce. Any help or information would be GREATLY appreciated.
I haven't seen a new catalog in a few years but my last Whittney catalog still had plaid seat covers. Wouldn't cost you anything to find out.
Got a NOS set off ebay recently for my '40 cadillac. Search "vintage seat covers". There are a few on there now.
I think it was Rob Ida that did a vintage Porsche resto not too long ago and it had the coolest green plaid insets on the seats. Really killer. I'd love to do something along that line in my T.
Tried JC Whitney......not really sure I want to go Camo or Neoprene. I've looked at the ones currently on ebay. The one set that looks like it MIGHT work states that the seller doesn't know what it fits, so it would be a $140 roll of the dice. I just find it hard to believe that NO ONE remakes that old style plaid style seat cover. I can't be the only guy that thinks they look pretty sweet.......or am I??
OMG! I Remember these, they were old even when I was a kid, but people still drove those cars even in the 50's and 60's! Good Luck, they are totally cool!
Why not make your own? It is not difficult if you have a home sewing machine, no special machine required. Can you find some suitable plaid material? I'm sure the library or the internet has info on sewing seat covers. Just look at them they are not that complicated. You should be able to make seat covers for both front and back seats for $50 - $100 bucks.
Yes,.. yes you are............ But seriously......if there was a significant identifiable demand, they would be in production. But they are a relic of the past....like all those things people admire and muse over in antique stores.......but most of which are in sufficient supply to match the limited demand......hence not reproduced. I do think they are kind of neat in an original style car of the era. Hope you find a set. Ray
Old sled works in Pa has (had?) a bunch of plaid covers recently. http://www.sledworks.com/ Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Search for dwblietz on here. He bought out an old warehouse and has hundreds of them in all colors, split seats, sedan (non-split) and every style made I think. I sat in his booth last year at the LA Roadsters swap and there was a steady flow of covers leaving the booth and he had piles more.
How true this is. In the late 40s and early 50s they were one of the most popular accessories car dealers sold, there were even shops that did nothing but sell and install seat covers. Then they came out with nylon and vinyl upholstery in place of broadcloth and the seat cover business died overnight. There could still be piles of NOS covers from the early fifties.
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