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I haven’t been paying attention, discovered yesterday that Hirsch has stopped supplying upholstery material and auctioned off the remaining inventory back in March. I was just thinking of getting a couple yards of plain wool broadcloth to repair a split in my Packard. Looks like the only source for someone trying to do an authentic closed car restoration may be the limited selection of Ford materials.
Hello Jim,
SMS Fabrics Custom Made 10-yards of fabric identical to the original fabric in my Series 80.
I cut off a small section and sent it to them, from which they created the 10-yards they later sent to me.
It wasn’t necessarily inexpensive, but when I received it, I had my upholstery agent install it
I also had them send me a few Extra Yards as “backup” which I have sitting on to do the interior of the doors, when I get around to having those done!
They were very nice!
Peter
Jim,
A PACKARD, REALLY?
Peter
SMS Auto Fabrics
Identical to mine!
I tried SMS fabrics for my Pierce a couple years ago, and we went through this conversation then. I guess they are fine if you can afford to send your money upfront into a black hole for a year or two and hope eventually something shows up sans communication on status or schedule. Worse than trying to talk to someone at the IRS. I had picked the material off an available material sample card with no indication it wasn’t in stock. It would have been one thing if they had been upfront about the material not being in inventory before taking my money and would require some unknown months or years before they get around to making it. The first call I was able to finally get through to someone about why I hadn’t seen a tracking number was an excuse that they take three weeks to process an order. Waited 4 weeks and finally after multiple voice mail and email messages they finally told me they had to manufacture the material and it would be an unknown number of months. Looking at the litany of BBB complaints it seems many customers wait for years.
Maybe they have gotten their act together since, but anyone considering using them should go in prepared.
And yes, I have a 36 Packard which has been enjoyed for 35 reliable years on many trips including the first date with my wife. I tried to buy the Pierce I now own before I found the Packard but the owner changed his mind and decided not to sell it. 10 years later after I restored the Packard he was ready to sell and I spent ten years restoring the Pierce. I wasnt going to wait for a few more years to get upholstery. I guess I should be banned from PAS.
Jim,
Sad about your experience with SMS, and I guess that I was some combination of Lucky and Patient.
I too, waited for Eons for them to Finally send me the Upholstery Material, however I couldn’t find it anywhere else.
Further, I had already bought some Upholstery Material that Didn’t Match, so I remained patient.
Eventually, it arrived!
Best wishes,
Peter
I believe that the Hirsch inventory was bought by Classtique, a well known Model T supplier. They now have broadcloths and mohairs listed and they never had such before. I’ve never dealt with SMS, though I had a friend who sent them substantial money,, after 9 months he gave up and demanded a refund. It took some cussing but he finally got his money back.
David,
My personal experience exactly. I would never patronize SMS again.
Bob
Gentlemen,
My experience with them was somewhat complicated, however it was Eventually Productive and after a time, SMS sent me an Extremely Lovely and Beautifully Useful roll of interior upholstery with which I reupholstered my 1925, Series 80, 7-Passenger, DeLuxe Sedan.
I even had them send me a Second, 10-yard roll of the same material as a back-up, and that took only a few weeks to receive.
All said, I should not need to be deal with them again, and it is a shame that you had such a bad experience.
Peter
Here’s an email I got from Classtique regarding the availability of classic car upholstery.
Hi Jim,
I didn’t buy Bill Hirsch’s inventory, but I have started to carry some of the items he had to help restorers out. I have a bunch of broadcloths on the website along with Mohair, Vinyl’s, Carpet, Bedford Cord, Cotton Headliner Material, Fasteners, and more. I have plans to expand to more as I can afford to have the items made. If you’re looking for an item you don’t see on the website, feel free to send me a picture of what you’re looking for. We can mail you samples of fabrics also. Thanks.
Mike Francis
Classtique Upholstery Inc
30350 Akerson St.
Lindstrom, MN 55045-9032
Phone: 651-484-9022
Toll Free: 1-800-208-9032
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.ClasstiqueUpholstery.com