I recently purchased a new, complete upholstery kit from Hampton Coach. They provided some instructions but I would like to find an upholstery book covering 1938 Chevys, for more complete instructions. I have never done any upholstery work and I think a book will help a lot. Hampton Coach has a couple but neither seems to be what I am looking for. I have done a little searching on the net but have not been able to locate one. Can anyone recommend where I might find such a book that specifically covers upholstering a '38? Thank you. Stuart

You might try the Fisher Body Manual for '37-'38. It will have Chevrolet as well as other GM interior and body repair and installation information.

Beamer,
I have a copy of the '37-'38 Fisher Body Manual and you're more than welcome to borrow it.
-Bob

VCCA membership strikes again. Hey Bod if Beamer is not already a member put an application in the manual as a hint. If he is get him to post his VCCA number in his profile so the rest of us will know that he is one of us.

Yes Chipper, I am a VCCA member and have been for several years. Not posting my VCCA number in my profile was apparently just an oversight. I will do it today. Thanks Bob. I'll be contacting you. Stuart

Bob, You jogged my memory. I have the 1937 and 1938 Manual of Construction and Service. It is a blue manual with 131 pages. Is that the same as the one you have? Stuart

i am assuming that you did not remove the old upholstry from the car . i have installed several hampton interiors and agree that the instructions may not be easy to understand . first they group several models into the same instructions next there interior may not be exactly like the original . first get all the pieces out and figure out where they go read the instructions close never cut anything as most pieces are exact i tryied to get a little extra material added the would not alter their pattern if it calls for two inches of padding and there is two and one half it will not fit . i thought they made a mistake one time and i was going to call them but after i relooked at the problem i found it was my mistake put a bracket in the wrong place . if there are tacks or special nails dont bend one as there are none extra hope this helps

Pushrod, No, I haven't removed anything yet except for the door panels and they are no problem for me. It will be a while before I do the upholstery as I have lots of other prep work to do first. However, I am trying to gather info to study for when the time comes as I want to be ready. I have read some of the construction manuals but they do not go into the nitty gritty. For example, I have not been able to find anything on how to remove the hard back on the front bucket seats. I am just trying to find an excellent upholstery book that will cover everything in some detail as I have never upholstered anything before. Thanks for your input. As for the brads and tacks, the ones they sent me are off the shelf common items so if I don't already have them in my stock, I can pick up more locally if I run out. Stuart

i have never done a 38 but on the earlier ones with hard backs on the front seats they are sewed on using a blind stitch and the same stitch used on the seat cover corners . in the instructions they explain how to do it along with the needle and thread . the last one i done i had a time getting the front seat cover down enougf to fasten the bottom edge what i was talking about not much excess any way i got my wife out to sit on the seat while i try and tack the bottom edges well she is a pretty small woman and did not put much pressure on the seat so i made the statement that maybe i need to get me a bigger woman she said it would be cheaper to hire it done and i left it at that .