I can't seem to be able to find any reference materials for what was available for interiors in 1954. I'm gonna be restoring my interior and I would like it be original. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

 

I'd check ebay for shop manuals, fabric and color charts, and SMS Auto for upholstery materials and samples.

Here is a report on SMS
http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic....&highlight=sms

 

The Color & Fabric Manual will be the best reference but the things have gotten a bit expensive. It will have actual fabric samples and pictures of the stitch patterns along with the trim codes.

An old trim shop may also have fabric charts and samples.

Sharp 54 BTW. It's one of my favorite years. 1954 Ninety Eight sedans are just elegant.

 

The Color & Fabric manual (I am not sure that is what it is acutally called) will give you exactly what you want. We bought one when we redid my old friends 54 convertible. It has actual fabric and vinyl swatches. That coupled with some interior pictures really helped and I thing we came pretty close to duplicating the original. The books are expensive and I think we paid somewhere around $260 for the one we have. Too bad you are not closer as I would be glad to loan it to you. That really is a pretty sedan you have. Looks like somebody has done lots of work.

 

Thanks for the help guys, and the compliments. Other than Ebay, where might I find the color and fabric manual? I'm new to the hobby and seem to have hit a wall on where to look.

 

Ebay is where you will likely have the most luck. When I was coordinating the restoration for my friends 54 convertible, we bought lots of stuff on ebay including the car. I know some people don't like ebay and I personally don't think it is as good as it used to be. However it does allow you to find stuff that you could not live long enought to go to enough swap meets to find. My friend had looked for a 54 Super 88 convertible for 20 years and I found it on ebay. I think it has driven prices up but then figure what you time is worth. I don't think you would ever find on of these books on craigslist.

 

I agree with you. I've found alot of stuff on Ebay, I've just never seen that manual on there ......yet. I'll keep looking though.

 

If you haven't joined a local car club you may consider doing so. Some club members may have leads or may even have one in possession to share