SMS vs Legendary
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,442
From: eastern MA
SMS vs Legendary
I here good things about both companies but wanted to know opinions. I have never purchased from either. SMS is having a sale.
That's 19% off of cloth, vinyl, leather, seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners, vinyl tops, trunk lining, EVERYTHING.
Are SMS products the same as Legendary or close? Do both companies use same materials? Are seat covers, door panels and carpets comparable? I thought SMS was just material, I didn't know they sold assembled door panels and seat covers?
That's 19% off of cloth, vinyl, leather, seat covers, door panels, carpet sets, headliners, vinyl tops, trunk lining, EVERYTHING.
Are SMS products the same as Legendary or close? Do both companies use same materials? Are seat covers, door panels and carpets comparable? I thought SMS was just material, I didn't know they sold assembled door panels and seat covers?
Old(s) Fart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 50,539
From: Northern VA
I was not aware that SMS was now selling ready-made reproduction covers (they recently acquired the bankrupt Lebaron Bonney, who had a line of custom seat covers - not repro). Their claim to fame has been providing correct upholstery materials that are unavailable anywhere else. They also can replicate heat-molded door panels for cars where repros are not available. The are incredibly slow, but at least they are exceedingly expensive. Unfortunately, for cars like my 67 Delta, they are the only game in town, so you just bend over and take it. I ordered upholstery materials (they had the correct turquoise vinyl and cloth pattern), headliner, and shipped them the door panels to re-cover. This was Jan 2019 (yes, nearly 18 months ago). The upholstery material arrived in 10 days. The headliner arrived about a week later. I just yesterday got an email that the door panels are shipping and will arrive next Friday. Oh, and I had to pay for everything up front, to the tune of nearly $2K.
Of course, I'd be lying if I said that the lack of door panels was the reason why by Delta wasn't done...
Of course, I'd be lying if I said that the lack of door panels was the reason why by Delta wasn't done...
Running On Empty
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 25,376
From: Earth
Just a tidbit of info regarding carpet mostly. I've replaced seat upholstery fabric with great success on my 71 CS convertible using Legendary - I can't speak to SMS. When I replaced the carpet I purchased from Legendary it was great quality and the fit was excellent. FWIW, several CO members commented regarding Legendary purchases their carpet from ACC (Auto Custom Carpets) which turned out to be true as my carpet was purchased from Legendary but shipped from ACC. I guess RA purchases from ACC, as well. Read the comments in the link (below) - it's difficult to find the carpet on RA.
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...pplier-133659/
https://www.accmats.com/
https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...pplier-133659/
https://www.accmats.com/
Last edited by Vintage Chief; May 9, 2020 at 06:35 AM.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,179
From: Northern California
I had SMS reproduce my ‘66 Starfire door panels and quarters about 20 years ago.
They were slow, and it was a few thousand, but the quality was (and is) indistinguishable from factory. Very good durability and fit.
To my knowledge they’re the ones with the heat seam sealing machine to accurately reproduce what GM did in the ‘60’s.
The last ice man always makes money. But I’m glad they’re there.
cheers
cf
They were slow, and it was a few thousand, but the quality was (and is) indistinguishable from factory. Very good durability and fit.
To my knowledge they’re the ones with the heat seam sealing machine to accurately reproduce what GM did in the ‘60’s.
The last ice man always makes money. But I’m glad they’re there.
cheers
cf
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,580
From: Las Vegas, NV
I've also dealt with SMS's 6-week promise only to wait 6-months+ for a vinyl top
I've heard "by law" once they charge your credit card they have 30 days to ship -- if true, sounds like they violate the law on just about every order
if Legendary has it - use them
AFAIK - ACC is the only carpet manufacturer & Trim Parts purchased them ~10 years ago & quality is not what it used to be
I've heard "by law" once they charge your credit card they have 30 days to ship -- if true, sounds like they violate the law on just about every order
if Legendary has it - use them
AFAIK - ACC is the only carpet manufacturer & Trim Parts purchased them ~10 years ago & quality is not what it used to be
Last edited by hurst68olds; May 9, 2020 at 02:48 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,907
From: Toytown, MA
As far as the carpet goes ACC has been trending downwards for many years. In the 80's and 90's their carpet was really nice, thick jute, good dye, molded nicely and a lot of overage. Then in one fell swoop of a plane crash, I think 2001 or 02 most of the management was killed. After that, it's been steadily going downhill. But it's still the best out there, just not as good. I really don't know what the story is with Trim Parts, But a friend said their carpet was more like the 80' 90's ACC He said it had more overage and thicker jute. I don't know if it was just a better quality ACC carpet or what.
As mentioned SMS is the go to place for special stuff or original fabric. I've used both Legendary and PUI. In my opinion Legendary is the way to go if they have what you need. It is a far superior product than PUI, the fit, the thickness, the seams the color, the quality, all are better on the Legendary interiors I've done. If cost is important then you can save a lot using PUI, and it's still ok. Here's a really old link about the crash. Because of Legendary's guarantee, they tend to sell good stuff like Electron Tops, ACC, etc.
Auto Custom Carpets Execs Die in Plane Crash
On February 13, Jeff Moses, president of Auto Custom Carpets, and four members of his management team, died in an airplane crash
February, 2009
On February 13, Jeff Moses, president of Auto Custom Carpets, and four members of his management team, died in an airplane crash near Talladega, Alabama. After a failed pass over the Talladega Airport, the small private plane carrying the five ACC employees back from a business trip to Ohio made a second attempt, and then faltered and crashed into a nearby creek. The entire plane exploded on impact, killing all passengers aboard.
Accompanying Jeff Moses in the tragedy were ACC’s Don Robertson, Jeff Davis, Show Manager, Terri Tomlin, Telemarketing Supervisor, and Camille Randle, Director of Programming. Commenting on the large number of upper management staff on the plane, ACC’s CEO John Mahlendorf stated, "This was a highly unusual circumstance. We are real fanatics about not allowing that many of our top managers to travel together, and discussed at length whether to put all five of them on the same plane." Both Jeff Davis and Terri Tomlin, who had recently chosen to begin working in outside sales, were simply tagging along for on-the-job training. Camille Randle was hired only a week earlier. ACC is a leading manufacturer of automotive restoration products
Moses was noted for his aggressive leadership and commitment to the automotive restoration industry. At the time of his death, he was also serving on the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Board of Directors, and the SEMA Executive Committee. In Mahlendorf’s words, "Jeff Moses was the most dynamic and hard-driving person I’ve ever known. He had a keen understanding of what it takes to promote and run a business. He was savvy, hard-working, and he had incredible integrity."
"There are no words to describe our sense of loss and our deep concern for their families," added ACC’s CFO Ken Howell. "It will take a long time for all of us to heal from this experience. We are trying the best we can to assist the families and help them cope with this tragic event."
As mentioned SMS is the go to place for special stuff or original fabric. I've used both Legendary and PUI. In my opinion Legendary is the way to go if they have what you need. It is a far superior product than PUI, the fit, the thickness, the seams the color, the quality, all are better on the Legendary interiors I've done. If cost is important then you can save a lot using PUI, and it's still ok. Here's a really old link about the crash. Because of Legendary's guarantee, they tend to sell good stuff like Electron Tops, ACC, etc.
Auto Custom Carpets Execs Die in Plane Crash
On February 13, Jeff Moses, president of Auto Custom Carpets, and four members of his management team, died in an airplane crash
February, 2009
On February 13, Jeff Moses, president of Auto Custom Carpets, and four members of his management team, died in an airplane crash near Talladega, Alabama. After a failed pass over the Talladega Airport, the small private plane carrying the five ACC employees back from a business trip to Ohio made a second attempt, and then faltered and crashed into a nearby creek. The entire plane exploded on impact, killing all passengers aboard.
Accompanying Jeff Moses in the tragedy were ACC’s Don Robertson, Jeff Davis, Show Manager, Terri Tomlin, Telemarketing Supervisor, and Camille Randle, Director of Programming. Commenting on the large number of upper management staff on the plane, ACC’s CEO John Mahlendorf stated, "This was a highly unusual circumstance. We are real fanatics about not allowing that many of our top managers to travel together, and discussed at length whether to put all five of them on the same plane." Both Jeff Davis and Terri Tomlin, who had recently chosen to begin working in outside sales, were simply tagging along for on-the-job training. Camille Randle was hired only a week earlier. ACC is a leading manufacturer of automotive restoration products
Moses was noted for his aggressive leadership and commitment to the automotive restoration industry. At the time of his death, he was also serving on the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Board of Directors, and the SEMA Executive Committee. In Mahlendorf’s words, "Jeff Moses was the most dynamic and hard-driving person I’ve ever known. He had a keen understanding of what it takes to promote and run a business. He was savvy, hard-working, and he had incredible integrity."
"There are no words to describe our sense of loss and our deep concern for their families," added ACC’s CFO Ken Howell. "It will take a long time for all of us to heal from this experience. We are trying the best we can to assist the families and help them cope with this tragic event."
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