Hot Rods Upholstered firewalls!

Who is running one? Problems? Pitfalls? Design concerns?

 

BTT

 

@brady1929
I guess you and I are the only ones who get it! Lol.

 

Very '60s show rod feature. I recall most being white. Hard to keep clean in street use.

 

I do good to get the interior upholstered!

Dave

 

My old coupe had the wheel wells upholstered. They were not hard to keep clean

 

@Dreddybear has his done I believe, could ask him?

I’ve seen a few over the years, typically snap on and you can pull them to clean.

 

Just the other day I saw a post with a newly installed white tuck-n-roll firewall; thought "Hey, that's neat!". Don't remember where on the internet I saw it tho.

 

Thats a show car thing. People who drive their cars don't do that as a rule.

 

Every single time I’ve seen it done- modern day, I don’t know what the guys in the old magazines did- is on a car that gets driven. I see no reason why properly done with appropriate material why it would be any issue at all.

 

your opinion has been noted.

 

I sure do like the way they look. I do not see a issue with cleaning if done in a durable proper material. You have to clean stuff on the hot rod anyway, right? I have to polish my fire wall from time to time, what's the differences ?

 

@mad mikey all the ones I’ve seen have been marine grade vinyl, snap it off hang it on the fence and hose it off. Even easier than a polished firewall

 

What's that chrome motor looking gizmo on the drivers side of the front carb? Fast idle solenoid?

 

How was the firewall plated? Is it flat sheet thats just attached to the stock firewall?

For a upholstered panel I can see sewing in magnets or some kind of clip to be able to easily remove it for driving duties and then can easily be put in place once at a show. Just depends if you plan on doing the upholstery and then bolt items onto the firewall.

 

My firewall is “Commando” all the way.

 

My firewall inset has a sheet of polished stainless. There was a guy at Carlisle a while back selling "prison mirrors"-high quality stuff for like $10. Can't remember how we attached it but it was the devil himself to get it in place behind the engine. Overall, I am not a fan up upholstery in the engine compartment. But that's just me.

 

To quote my old dad, "It's okay for who likes it".

Don't forget to upholster the steering column, too. Cover all the varicose wires climbing up and down the column.

 

Oof. I expected more guff and naysaying.

Here's the deal. Go for it. I drive the living piss out of my car and I wipe it off when it's dirty. My plan was to just redo em when they got too bad and they never did. They sorta just wear with the car. It builds character. I've been stuck driving in a Texas downpour for 2 hours. I've blown an oil gauge line and doused the firewall, and it wipes off and looks fine. I upholstered a bunch of stuff. Firewall, wheel wells, frame horns, engine mounts, and other stuff I cant remember

Exhibit 1 I will call attention to the wheelwells. If you look closely you will notice upholstered brake hoses.


Exhibit 2 you may notice some on the steering box mount inside the frame and also the motor mounts.

Exhibit 3 is where you will see the (partial) firewall and frame horns. It's hard to notice as I am parked next to one of the greatest hot rods ever. (IYKYK)

I have covers for the Carb Scoops and radiator hoses but I'm redoing them. Also I made inserts for the backing plates (that '40 T-shape) but couldn't get them to sit right.

 

I almost did this and opted for chrome but oh man I like the idea.

 

Bellissimo!

 

Thanks for sharing your experience.
My first exposure to rod magazines was 1956
They all had custom s***ching.
I grew to believe it not practical,
You make me want it. And I know sewing machines