Starfire1961

Anyone have a source for new seat material for a '61 Starfire? I also am in need of the metal trim that is screwed onto the floor on the front passenger side. As you can see the covers on these seats look hideous and need a source for the seat material or slip on ready made covers like they make for many cars out there like Camaros and Mustangs. Lastly does anyone make a dash pad for this car? The one on there is cracked and brittle, thanks for help.

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Olds64

You can get seat material from SMS Auto Fabrics. They are pricey but I've only heard good reviews from members on our site.

The only way you can repair a badly damaged dash is to send it to Just Dashes. Again, they are pricey but their work is top notch. You might also consider having an interior shop redo your dash and seats in aftermarket fabric, of course that is if you don't want to keep it original.

Starfire1961

Thanks for the info. I've heard of Just Dashes before. Do you know if the original seat material was leather on these cars?

Olds64

I'm not sure.

chequenman

All early '60's Starfires were all Leather and usually in several colors.

Starfire1961

Thanks I figured the material was leather, its just all dried and cracked up. Back to the dash, is teh actual metal dash removable? I already took the old vinyl and pad off, but I want to see if the whole metal dash piece comes off, thanks

chequenman

Yes the dash can be removed but it may be more of a task than you may want to tackle. When removing the metal part of the Dash everything else on and in the dash will have to be removed. Good luck.

rocketraider

61-63 leather face and bolster with vinyl skirts and back panels.

64 leather bolster with vinyl face, skirt and back panel.

65 leather face with vinyl bolster, skirt and back panel.

66 all vinyl.

Odds are you'll have to get a couple of custom dyed hides for those seats. They're metallic finished leather so they won't be inexpensive a bit. Add the two colors and you see that restoring a Starfire interior correctly can get stupid expensive quickly.

If you're not going for the 1000 point car, a good trim shop can match up some appropriately textured vinyl and stitch your new seats to original pattern.

The floor mat insert will be a salvage yard piece.

Starfire1961

Thanks guys this very good info.

chequenman

[quote=rocketraider;131856]

Odds are you'll have to get a couple of custom dyed hides for those seats. They're metallic finished leather so they won't be inexpensive a bit. Add the two colors and you see that restoring a Starfire interior correctly can get stupid expensive quickly.


SMS Fabrics are very good at achieving the correct Metalic finish on the Leathers so I've been told but the cost might make you change your mind. If you really like the Starfire don't butcher the car just because you can't afford the cost of the changes, try and keep the car somewhat original and only fix what you can afford as you probably have a keeper !!!