Corvette Interior Restoration

Anticipating Problem Areas in an Interior Restoration

Corvettes are fast, sexy machines. Restorers will spend hours getting the engine in top-notch condition -- days repairing the fiberglass and the paint job. But remember, the interior is what the driver sees all the time. For most purists, the primary goal of an interior restoration is authenticity.

Going into the job, be aware of some particular problem areas:

Color and Texture Matching: This one's tough. The best bet is to buy all the parts from one supplier and examine all of them side-by-side before paying for them. Even the slightest variation will stand out and look horrible.

Seats: Interestingly enough, re-upholstering the seats is one of the biggest headaches in an interior restoration. Used cars often come with many seat upholstery problems. Getting the material to fit snugly and look original takes six to eight hours per seat. Also, going with leather may not be the best choice as vinyl can be machine-shrunk for a much better fit. (Leather doesn't shrink.) Turn this one over to a professional who has done Corvette seats before. Ask to see examples of their work, in person, rather than photographs, if possible. (Note that some models from the Seventies present special problems in fit due to the manner in which the seats were stitched.)

Carpeting: Don't try to save money by just covering the worst spots. Go with a complete carpet set to get consistency of color and weave. Generally carpet replacement is a DIY project and not complicated if you take the time and have the right tools on hand.

The Instruments: If at all possible, leave the dash alone (or turn it over to a pro.) For most Corvette models up through the Eighties, the right side is just an issue of loosening screws, but on the left, the steering column must be dropped so the panel and wiring can come forward. The center of the dash is full of wires, ripe for the creation of brand new problems. If one of the instruments is malfunctioning, try to diagnose the problem without going into the dash.

Thankfully, there is plenty of reference material on interior restoration and due to the popularity of the Corvette as an iconic sports car, there are plenty of suppliers. Just go into the project with an eye on potential problem areas and plan accordingly. Spending time and money on the engine and chassis and scrimping on the interior never gets you the Corvette of your dreams.