Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Porsche Bathtub Interior Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

Here is an interior that we did on this Porsche

The official "date of birth" for the first Porsche is considered being June 8, 1948. Number one, a two-seat 356 with a 1.1 litre centre engine, 40 HP weighing 650 kg. The following 50 speciemens of the so-called 356/2 were hand built in Gmünd/Kärnten (Austria). These cars almost resembled the classic 356 and are today, if at all to be found, almost priceless.

In late 1949 the Reutter company in Stuttgart (Germany) are given the assignment to build 500 body works for an adjusted model of the 356. This became the classic 356. With a 1.1 litre engine and 40 HP, it reached because of the good aerodynamics a speed of 140 kph, and was sold at a price of DM 12.000. At that time Ferry Porsche thought that it was impossible to sell more than 500 cars, a more than pleasant mistake. On March 15, 1954 car no 5.000 left the factory.

In 1953 the famous Porsche label badge is seen for the first time. In April 1965 the last Porsche 356 leaves the assembly line after 17 years of production. All in all 81.003 Porsche 356 were built together with about 1.194 in various Carrera versions.

1959 saw the beginning of the development of a new Porsche. On September 12, 1963, a new generation Porsche designed by "Butzi" Porsche, a prototype called 901 was introduced at the IAA. Not until August 1964 did it become possible to deliver the first 901 (911) to customers. In late fall of 1964 the French car producer Peugeot objects to the name 901 because the combination of three - with a zero in the middle - was patented. Porsche responded right away, changing the name to 911 and offered the car to the German and international markets at a price of DM 21.900.

The 911 was "born" in the year (1963) when JFK was assassinated and its look still survives. It became one of the biggest sports cars in the world and is - together with the 356 - the foundation of the success Porsche has had so far. On June 15, 1996 Porsche no 1.000.000 was delivered.

source: http://www.dennigcars.com/history_of_porsche.htm


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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - 1940's Chrysler Woody Convertible Top Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

Here is a convertible top restoration we did on a Chrysler Woodie.

Walter P. Chrysler founded his car company on June 6, 1925, when the Maxwell Motor Company was re-organized into the Chrysler Corporation. Walter Chrysler had originally arrived at the Maxwell-Chalmers company in the early 1920's, having been hired to make over and fix the company's troubled operations (after having done a similar rescue at the Willys car company).

Chrysler Corporation then acquired Dodge in 1928 and subsequently launched its Plymouth, a strong competitor in the low-price field, and the mid-market DeSoto. The Chrysler car was the top-of-the-line offering of the Chrysler Corp.

In 1941, Chrysler released the first Town & Country wood-bodied model, a station wagon with an unusual 'barrel-back' body design. This style was continued for 1942, when WWII ended auto production for four model years. When Chrysler returned to building automobiles, there were two new Town & Country models that replaced the wagon - a convertible and a 4-door sedan. Both were very prestigious and highly coveted cars and they continued to be produced with a few changes into 1948. The final wood-bodied Town & Country, a 'Newport' 2-door hardtop, was offered in 1950.

source: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9118/Chrysler-Town-and-Country.aspx

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Pontiac GTO Convertible Top Restoration Update The Next Steps - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

We have now Installed the top

1. Begin by running the guide loops over the frame and let the top hang freely over the rear of the frame. Make sure it is straight as you’ll be laying it over your rear window several times for fitment.
2. Then, secure by stapling the entire front lip of the top to the car at the front of the frame. Attach nothing to the frame or car on the sides. Next, you will want to get your rear window.
3. Your rear window secures with staples at the top and you’ll want to start there. You will want to use the shorter staples here. The longer staples will go over this layer of staple and window fabric when installing the top later. (You will be going through less material with just the window and the longer ones will buckle and bottom out on this section) Once the window is in place (It may take a few attempts to get height correct, use seams on the top as reference points for centering) then attach the top to the frame and begin to pull top down and tight towards car body.
4. Working from one side to the other, go around the rear of the car securing and wrapping the top around all original parts watching for wrinkling as you go. You will need to work carefully and patiently, as this is an easy but time consuming step.
5. If you are having trouble getting wrinkles out of a side or below the rear window (sagging areas) you may have pulled the fabric too tight on the opposite side. Check entire area for pulls, wrinkles and/ or sagging before installing all staples and retainer clips.
6. Re-install rear panels and rear seat.
7. DO NOT OPPERATE TOP FOR AT LEAST TWO (2) WEEKS. Longer is recommended in colder temperatures. This will allow the material to stretch and conform to your car and its frame for years of proper operation and appearance.

 source: Installation instructions provided by AmericanMuscle customer Dave K

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Ferrari F430 Steering Wheel Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration Redwood City (650) 364-0923

The F430 hails the arrival of a whole new generation of Ferrari V8-engined berlinettas. Every inch of the car was inspired by the engineering research carried out at Ferrari's Gestione Sportiva F1 Racing Division. The result is a highly innovative design characterised by cutting-edge technologies perfected for use on a road-going car.

Two of these innovations are world firsts for a production car: the electronic differential (E-Diff), initially developed by Ferrari for its F1 single-seaters and designed to make the most of the engine's torque to optimise traction, and the handily placed steering wheel-mounted commutator switch (better known to the Scuderia's drivers as the manettino), which directly controls the systems governing vehicle dynamics.
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The F430's light, compact 4,308 cc engine that gives the car its name is completely new ; it punches out 490 hp and delivers a specific power output of 114 hp/l and 465 Nm of torque. Needless to say, performance is outstanding: acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in four seconds flat and a maximum speed in excess of 315 km/h.

 This project is to restore this F430's steering wheel. As you can see in this picture there is excessive wear on the wheel.

We will be able to restore this steering wheel to like new condition.

history source: http://www.ferrari.com/english/gt_sport%20cars/classiche/all_models/f430/Pages/f430.aspx

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - 1938 Lincoln Interior Carpet Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration Redwood City (650) 364-0923

In 1922, Henry and Wilford Leland's Lincoln Motor Company was purchased by the Ford Motor Company. The LeLands had gone into business in 1917 building Liberty airplane engines. When the war ended they eventually switched to luxury automobile production but financial calamity forced the sale to Ford.

Edsel Ford took the helm with an eye towards upgrading Lincoln styling. To that end he enlisted the finest American coachbuilders to produce stylish new bodies for the company. Edsel had always been influenced by European automobile styling. He began working with the designer E.T. Gregorie, Jr. to bring his ideas into fruition. 

Lincoln introduced the Zephyr line as a 1936 model, featuring an extremely modern, aerodynamic design with a low, raked windshield and integrated fenders. It was positioned to bridge the gap between the Ford and the exclusive Lincoln K series. It successfully reignited Lincoln sales accounting for 80% of vehicles sold in its first year.

This project is to replace and install new carpeting in this wonderful 1938 Lincoln. Here is a picture of the inside now.  Stay tuned for the finished project.

History source: http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z10071/Lincoln-Series-86H-Zephyr.aspx

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - 1973 Fiat Restoration - Sold for $10,600 on ebay Fundraiser to help cure Juvenile Diabetes - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

 

 

 

 

 

Along with having lots of cool cars on display, Concorso Italiano is also a major contributor to several local, national and international charities. This year’s project car, a 1974 Fiat 124 Spider, was refurbished as a fundraiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) to help cure Juvenile Diabetes. It is sponsored by the team at Concorso Italiano, President Tom McDowell, Marketing Manager Katrina Couch, and Marketing Director Scott Ingebretson.

The Fiat Spider was purchased from a family in Covington, Washington, who has a child recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, a disease which has also touched many people close to the team at Concorso Italiano. The Concorso team has family and friends who have T1D, and are eager to support the research for a cure. Sponsor partners have also been touched directly and indirectly with T1D so they are stepping up as well.

This lonely Fiat found new life and new purpose thanks to the team at Concorso Italiano

The Spider has undergone a significant restoration including new interior and upholstery form Cooks Upholstery, body work, painting, and chrome work by Harry’s Auto Collision engine work and tuning by Italian Tuning Group, a new exhaust by TUBI exhaust, Transport services graciously provided by Plycar Transport and the vehicle will be auctioned through eBay, with the final bidding live at Concorso during the event on August 16. Other sponsors are adding special high end gifts including hand rolled cigars from Payne Mason and luxury products from Bernard Richards Manufacturing (BRM) who makes the exclusive High end timepieces for Concorso Italiano.

 

source: http://www.ebaymotorsblog.com/concorso-italiano-1974-fiat-124-spider/

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Ferrari 308 Seat Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

Here is another project we are working on for the Concorso Italian show this week. This is a 1979 Ferrari 308 that wants to have their seats refreshed.

As you can see in this picture we have pulled out the seats and are starting with refreshing the interior. Look for the completed project later this week.

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Pontiac GTO Convertible Top Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

This project is very interesting as the convertible top frame is bent in the back frame if you look closely at the pictures.  We will have to straighten this piece and then reconstruct the new top. Look for the completed project next week.

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Fiat Interior Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

Concorso Italiano asked if we would help in the restoration of this Fiat interior that would be auctioned off at the Concorso this Friday.

These pictures were taken earlier in the week as we have taken out the seats to be reupholstered.  We are also restoring the dash, bumpers etc.

This car will be auctioned off this Friday with the proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

Enjoy the before pictures.

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Top 10 Tips for Classic Car Restoration - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration - (650) 364-0923

While this is a very exciting activity a car owner must know how to properly evaluate the condition of a car and then establish the level of restoration to be performed to such vehicle. There are 4 levels of classic car restoration, each one should be applied individually depending on the kind of project, budget and purpose. These are the top 10 tips for those classic car aficionados who want to reverse the effects of 'the sands of time' on their vehicles:

1. Sit down, grab a piece of paper, a parts catalog which would be relevant to the model you want to restore and run some numbers within your budget. Never deviate from it, otherwise the results will be obvious.

2. Inspect your car very carefully, top to bottom, inside and out; use strong flashlights to inspect the trunk, the engine area, etc. This will help you see the kind of repairs needed to be done to this vehicle. If possible take it to a car shop where it could be lifted to take a good look at the condition from beneath. Here you will determine if a the restoration process is worth the time and money.

3. After inspecting the vehicle, it is also important to decide whether you have a 'solid' car which can be restored without replacing the entire frame, floor, axles, etc. It would amaze you how this step can save you major dollars. By 'solid car' we are inferring that the car structure should be strong, as well as the floor; a little rust can be repaired but a completely rusty car which has the entire frame compromised will eventually crumble.

4. Decide whether you want to work with a "friend who knows how to repair cars" or a professional. It is often recommended not to involve friends and family on such projects as the time and money invested on this process may cause some trouble if the right procedures are not followed. Cars restored by people other than professionals tend to run well for a couple of years and in some cases start to breakdown thereafter.

5. Have a car restoration professional run some numbers and make sure they match or are close to the numbers you ran on step 1.

6. Decide the level of car restoration:

* Driver restoration: is often performed to get a car back to a fully functional and operational condition, they often include part replacement and minor cosmetic adjustments.

* Street Show: this restoration level involves getting a car into a fully working condition and repairing all major cosmetic problems (body work is required). If judged by a professional it should fall within the 80-89 point range.

* Show Car: restoring a classic car back to this form often requires professional work, if judged by a professional, there restorations and labor quality will fall within the 90-95 point range.

* Concours: this is the highest level of car restoration possible. All the work should be done by professionals, from part replacement to body work. These type of cars are intended for auto shows or private collections and not to be driven. Obviously, the original car to be repaired must be in quite optimal condition to achieve this stage, otherwise a major investment is necessary.

7. Start the restoration process, if possible follow a 2 step procedure (part replacement and chassis adjustments). Visit the car shop as often as possible to make sure the right work is being done. If this is not possible then have your mechanic send you periodical picture updates through email.

8. After the part replacement process is done, visit the shop again to re-inspect the chassis repairs needed, if sheet metal patches are necessary then remember to document the places where they are to be applied.

9. When all major restorations are done run a close and detailed inspection just like it was done during the second step to make sure everything is OK. Take it for a ride and see if it works correctly.

10. Remember to give proper maintenance to your newly restored classic using all the recommended parts and products.

The trick to getting newly restored cars to last for a long time lies within the last step, if the vehicle is properly maintained, in time, it will become a valuable asset and a sure head turner.

 

source: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/159800/cars/top_10_tips_for_classic_car_restoration.html

 

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Cooks Upholstery - Restoration of Faded Ferrari F430 Spyder Interior - Cooks Upholstery Redwood City - (650) 364-0923

For a lot of us, the ultimate automotive purchase is the convertible. There's just nothing better than putting the top down and going for a drive. The sun on your face, the wind in your hair and that feeling of the freedom of the open road.

But what happens after a few years to the interior and what can be done to save. Look at the pictures of this wonderful interior restoration done by Cooks Upholstery.

They removed the drivers seat which was pretty bad shape.  Re-constructed the leather and then restored the entire interior to match again.  Enjoy the before and after pictures.

 

 

 

Notice how the leather has faded from the Sun

 

 

The Completed Project

 

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Tesla Roadster Seats - Cooks Upholstery & Classic Restoration Redwood City (650) 364-0923

There are many reasons that a car owner may find him or herself needing to buy replacement front seats. For some people, the added comfort and personalization achieved through aftermarket car seats represents the perfect addition to a car. For others, the attempt to rebuild an old car or the effects of an accident necessitate the purchase. Regardless of the journey up to this point, however, buying replacement front seats for your car can be a challenge and this guide is designed to help with that.

Basic Replacement Front Seat Considerations

Most people never even consider the fact that a car’s seats, like most of its parts and accessories, are completely replaceable. Indeed, until we need them, front seats in a car are taken for granted. However, when either situation or preference presents itself, it is helpful to know that buyers have a few basic decisions to make regarding those seats.

This decision, of course, includes characteristics such as color and material. However, those options tend to be specific to makes and models of cars.

Tesla Roadster Seats are now available at Cooks Upholstery. Cooks has been working with Tesla and now offers any custom work or replacement of your original Tesla Seats.

 

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