Interior swap

[Chris L.]

Interior gurus...thinking about changin my interior in my 70 coupe to White leather. Since there was no white offered in 70, will the door panels, T-top liner, seats or covers and dash pad(black) from a 76 or 77 interchange with a 70? Thanks
Chris

[Robert R.]

Re: Interior swap

Chris,
What is your current interior color? If Black, leave the dash and console alone.
The '77 uses a totally different dash and console design. Plus the guages from '75 and up are different as well (electric tach).
It would be easy to change out door panels and seats to white while having the rest remain black.
It would also be easy then to switch back if you decide to go back to original colors.
Not sure how to answer about the headliner.

[Chris L.]

Re: Interior swap

Current color is saddle so everything is that color now. I know the seat covers, door panels and some other things can be bought for a 76-77 model, just noty sure if they are interchangeable. After going online to find out how much these individual parts would cost, it came out to over $2600 and I'm not sure I got everything! The4 steering column would have to be painted as well. Anyone have any experience with dying parts pf the interior? WIll it hold up and last?? THanks

[Alan S.]

Re: Interior swap

Hi Chris,
From what I read the 'hard' parts (kick panels, quarter trim, emergency brake console) dye well, the 'soft' parts (dash pads, door panels, etc.) quite well, but the seats not well at all because they are flexed so much as they're used.
Good Luck,
Alan

[Paul J.]

Re: Interior swap

Current color is saddle so everything is that color now. I know the seat covers, door panels and some other things can be bought for a 76-77 model, just noty sure if they are interchangeable. After going online to find out how much these individual parts would cost, it came out to over $2600 and I'm not sure I got everything! The4 steering column would have to be painted as well. Anyone have any experience with dying parts pf the interior? WIll it hold up and last?? THanks

Chris:

Dyed parts tend not to hold up well under everyday use. The dye will eventually wear through and can eventually peel. It's difficult to re-dye when the peeling starts. New parts are always the way to go. They retain thier color longer.

The cost of the new parts that you quoted is probably a substancial percentage of the value of your car. I would think that you would be better off finding the car that you want, or at the very least one with a black interior that would be easier to convert. JMHO.

Paul

[Michael D.]

Re: Interior swap

SEM automotive interior dye is what you want. It's good stuff. The problem with SEM is the preparation. Parts to be redyed must be super squeaky clean.

[Chris L.]

Re: Interior swap

Thanks guys for all the response. From what it sounds like, I would be best leaving it alone. Just always liked the white interior.

[Robert R.]

Re: Interior swap

Chris,
I'd have to agree with your decision.
Years ago, it would have been possible to swap out interiors due to totaled cars being parted out, and many had done so (mine included by the previous owner) at a nominal cost.
But today, to replace all those pieces with the repo parts would be almost as much as a paint job.
Keep in mind that if you plan to keep the car for a long time and your interior needs updating, you would have to spend that amount anyway.
Bob