1955 Chevy 210 Custom Interior - Super Chevy Magazine

1955 Chevy 210 Custom Interior Dynamat Coverage

To ensure that the car will be quiet and cool, the entire floor, starting with the inner firewall, was covered with a layer of Dynamat Extreme. When done, every square inch of the floor, trunk, and roof will be covered with this top-quality sound deadener.

To ensure that the car will be quiet and cool, the entire floor, starting with the inner f

Doing your own interior is much like doing your own paint and bodywork. It is usually a job most of us are not familiar with and using tools and materials that we don't use that often. Thankfully, with a little bit of patience and some imagination you can do some of the upholstery work yourself, make your own mark on the inside of your ride, and save a few bucks along the way. As with the paint and bodywork, you may want to only do a portion of the work yourself. In the end, we decided to build the main panels in the car and left the tough stuff to the professionals at McFarland Custom Upholstery.

Inside Tunes
Now that the GT55 is equipped with a great-handling chassis, killer engine/transmission combination, show-quality paint and a modern, sporty interior, the only thing left to upgrade was the sound system. To outfit the GT55 with a top-notch stereo, we contacted Phoenix Gold, a leader in high-performance sound systems.

The roof was given the same treatment as the floor. Dynamat Extreme was laid down to eliminate road noise, vibrations, and heat. Next, we glued in a layer of Dynamat TAC mat. The TAC mat is an insulating foam that will prevent heat from penetrating the roof on those hot summer days and also adds another layer of acoustic sound-deadening material.

The roof was given the same treatment as the floor. Dynamat Extreme was laid down to elimi

After a few conversations with their tech department we decided to utilize their new line of speakers and amplifiers. Engineered from the ground up, these speakers were designed to handle a lot of power and provide outstanding performance. The Xenon subwoofer feature cosmetics inspired by high-end exotic car marques and are constructed with the latest high-tech materials. Their amplifiers utilize the latest high-tech materials in a unique design format incorporating sophisticated engineering and dramatic performance.

Mated up to these components is a Kenwood satellite radio/CD/MP3 receiver and their Music Keg MP3 player. The Music Keg is a storage system for MP3 music files but unlike a CD player the Music Keg's cartridge can hold up to 5,000 songs and can be arranged so your favorite tunes will be right at the top of the play list.

Incorporating these killer pieces into the interior took a little bit of planning, but the amps, subwoofer, and MP3 player were easily stored in the trunk while the midrange speakers and tweeters were incorporated into the door and quarter panels.

The results of using such great components were nothing short of phenomenal. Now whenever we go for a cruise or decide to do a little canyon carving, crystal-clear, concert-quality tunes are only a button away.

After the firewall was covered in Dynamat, the Rain Gear electric wiper kit and Vintage Air A/C system was installed.
After the firewall was covered in Dynamat, the Rain Gear electric wiper kit and Vintage Ai
An aluminum rack was made to mount the Phoenix Gold amps and crossovers securely in the trunk.
An aluminum rack was made to mount the Phoenix Gold amps and crossovers securely in the tr
In areas where heat is going to be an issue, we laid down a layer of Dynamat Extremeliner. Utilizing a layer of lead foil, warm foot wells will be a thing of the past.
In areas where heat is going to be an issue, we laid down a layer of Dynamat Extremeliner.

For the low notes, a 10-inch Phoenix Gold sub-woofer was mounted in a 3/4-inch MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) enclosure next to the amplifiers.
For the low notes, a 10-inch Phoenix Gold sub-woofer was mounted in a 3/4-inch MDF (Medium
Something else we left up to the experts was the glass installation. Here Doug and Ken from Victory Glass install the front windshield and surrounding stainless trim. Victory also cut new side glass, rebuilt and installed the window regulators, and replaced the worn felt on the garnish moldings, saving us a ton of time and countless headaches.
Something else we left up to the experts was the glass installation. Here Doug and Ken fro
Art fabricated this killer console out of 0.060-inch aluminum. Incorporated into the console is the mount for the Kenwood CD/MP3 receiver, ducting for the Vintage Air A/C vents, seat adjustment controls, and a secondary glove box. The console will be smoothed out and painted with a custom mix PPG paint and eggshell clear so the sheen of the paint matches the sheen of the Majilite upholstery.
Art fabricated this killer console out of 0.060-inch aluminum. Incorporated into the conso

The foundation for the upholstery panels doesn't have to be wood. In the trunk, Art made all of the panels out of 0.050-inch aluminum. Note the trick little trap door converting the spare tire well into a small storage area for tools, detailing products, rags, etc.
The foundation for the upholstery panels doesn't have to be wood. In the trunk, Art made a
During the reassembly of the car, Totally Stainless fasteners were used for the body panels as well as all of the interior garnish moldings.
During the reassembly of the car, Totally Stainless fasteners were used for the body panel
While the template is nearly identical to the OE door panel, it is a lot more accurate and will fit a lot better.
While the template is nearly identical to the OE door panel, it is a lot more accurate and

In order to make an accurate door and interior panels, we first used template cardboard to make some patterns. The cardboard was trimmed to within a 1/16 of an inch of the door's edge so that when the panel is wrapped with material it will not overhang on the door and quarter panels.
In order to make an accurate door and interior panels, we first used template cardboard to
Once the template is made, the pattern is transferred to a sheet of 1/8-inch oak veneer. This wood panel will become the foundation to your upholstered door panel.
Once the template is made, the pattern is transferred to a sheet of 1/8-inch oak veneer. T
The quarter panel template is made in much the same way. The gaps are less critical since the wind lace, carpet, garnish molding, and seat will be hiding the edges on all sides. When you are satisfied with the shape of the panel, it can be transferred over to the plywood and cut.
The quarter panel template is made in much the same way. The gaps are less critical since

With the Tea's Design seat in place, it was time to layout the design for the panels. The first step was to determine a comfortable spot for the arm rests to go.
With the Tea's Design seat in place, it was time to layout the design for the panels. The
Small wire clips like these will hold the upholstery panels securely to the inside of the car. These fasteners will hold fast and still allow the panel to be removed to access window mechanisms, stereo components, etc.
Small wire clips like these will hold the upholstery panels securely to the inside of the
Now that we had found where the armrests were to be mounted, their position was transferred back to the cardboard template. After looking at many car interiors and custom upholstery Web sites, a design was sketched out on the door/quarter panel templates so the design would flow from the front of the car to the back. The speaker location was also mapped out so it would fit the overall design of the interior.
Now that we had found where the armrests were to be mounted, their position was transferre

Once we were satisfied with the design, the templates were cut up to provide a mask for the spray glue. These new templates will also be used for cutting the wood for the inset panels.
Once we were satisfied with the design, the templates were cut up to provide a mask for th
For the upholstery process a good pair of scissors, a cheap spray gun, a few acid brushes, chip brushes, and Weldwood Contact Adhesive will be your main tools for doing a top-notch job.
For the upholstery process a good pair of scissors, a cheap spray gun, a few acid brushes,
Before the wood panel is sprayed with glue, duct tape is placed over the panel fasteners to hold them in place and holes are made for the window and vent window cranks as well as the door handle. The new templates are placed on the wood to act as a mask so it will be much easier when removing the foam in this area for the accent panels. A piece of 1/4-inch foam is also rough-cut in the shape of the panel.
Before the wood panel is sprayed with glue, duct tape is placed over the panel fasteners t

After spraying glue on the wood, remove the template cardboard masks and then spray the foam. Giving it a few minutes to "tack up," the foam can be pressed onto the wood. Using a sharp razor blade, the excess foam can be trimmed away.
After spraying glue on the wood, remove the template cardboard masks and then spray the fo
Transferring the pattern of the accent panels onto the foam shows where the material needs to be trimmed away. Since the mark on the foam was made with a Sharpie, I cut the thick black line down the middle, giving me enough room for the upholstered panel to set down in the larger door panel.
Transferring the pattern of the accent panels onto the foam shows where the material needs
These tee-nuts and small screws will be used to fasten the inset panels to the main door and quarter panel.
These tee-nuts and small screws will be used to fasten the inset panels to the main door a

Using a sharp razor blade, trim the corner of the foam on roughly a 45-degree angle.
After shaving the edge with a razor, some 80-grit sandpaper helps smooth out the radius.
To get the material to fit around corners, a series of cuts need to be made to prevent the material from puckering.
To get the material to fit around corners, a series of cuts need to be made to prevent the

With the upholstery glued to the foam, brush a little glue to the backside of the panel.
Stretch the material around the panel and then attach it to the tacky glue on the back side of the panel.
Stretch the material around the panel and then attach it to the tacky glue on the back sid
For the corners fold the extra material over, making sure that there are no wrinkles forming along the edge of the panel.
For the corners fold the extra material over, making sure that there are no wrinkles formi

Pulling the tab around the corner will stretch the upholstery tight and make for a professional- looking job.
Pulling the tab around the corner will stretch the upholstery tight and make for a profess
The corner is complete, just take your time and work your way around the entire panel taking time to firmly press the material into the insets and smooth out any wrinkles that may start to appear.
The corner is complete, just take your time and work your way around the entire panel taki
Lying them on the floor, we placed the quarter panel and door panel together to make sure everything flows and looks good. The only thing the door panel needs is the armrest that Jamie McFarland is sewing up for us.
Lying them on the floor, we placed the quarter panel and door panel together to make sure

With the newly upholstered quarter panel and garnish molding test fit into place, we can get an idea of what the completed project is going to look like.
With the newly upholstered quarter panel and garnish molding test fit into place, we can g
While we had no problem upholstering the flat panels of the car, we let the experts at McFarland Custom Upholstery do the more intricate details. Here, Jamie lays down the Auto Custom Carpet and fits it around the console.
While we had no problem upholstering the flat panels of the car, we let the experts at McF
McFarland also installed the Novasuede headliner. The suede-like material looks like a million bucks!
McFarland also installed the Novasuede headliner. The suede-like material looks like a mil

The Grant steering wheel was re-upholstered in matching Majilite material to help tie the entire interior together while Auto Meter gauges, Lokar pedal kit, and Grant wheel all help to give the GT55 a classy sports car look.
The Grant steering wheel was re-upholstered in matching Majilite material to help tie the
McFarland and his team did a fantastic job of re-upholstering the stock rear seat to match it to the front Tea's Design seats using more of the high-quality Majilite material. The synthetic leather is very durable and not only that, it is super-comfortable too!
McFarland and his team did a fantastic job of re-upholstering the stock rear seat to match
Installed on the door, the freshly upholstered panel, new Danchuck handles, and Phoenix Gold speakers definitely look a lot better than the faded, worn-out panel that it replaced.
Installed on the door, the freshly upholstered panel, new Danchuck handles, and Phoenix Go

The finished trunk still has plenty of room for luggage, tool storage in the spare tire well, and continues the clean, luxury sports car look.
The finished trunk still has plenty of room for luggage, tool storage in the spare tire we
The last step was to install the Crow Ent. belts and fine-tune the killer Phoenix Gold/Kenwood sound system. It's now time for a road trip!
The last step was to install the Crow Ent. belts and fine-tune the killer Phoenix Gold/Ken

SOURCES
Auto Custom Carpets, INC. PO Box 1350 Anniston AL 36202	Mcfarland Custom Upholstery 28120 State Rte 410 E #A2 Buckley WA 98321
Crow Enterprises 418 E. Commonwealth Ave Unit 1, Fullerton CA 92832	Raingear 693 Blue Sky Dr. Port Townsend WA 98368
Danchuk Manufacturing, Inc. 3201 S Standard Ave Santa Ana Ca 92705	Tea's design inc. 2038 15th St. NW Rochester MN 55901
Dynamat 3042 Symmes Rd. Hamilton OH 45015 513-860-5094 www.dynamat.com	Totally Stainless P.O. Box 3249 Gettysburg PA 17325 717-337-2151 www.totallystainless.com
Grant Products 700 Allen Avenue Glendale CA 91201 213-849-3171 800-952-6947	Phoenix gold international, Inc. 9300 N. Decatur Portland OR 97203
Kenwood www.kenwoodusa.com	Victory Glass 22624 Pacific Hwy S. Seattle WA 98198
Lokar Performance Products 10924 Murdock Dr. Knoxville TN 37932 8-65/-966-2269 www.lokar.com	Vintage Air 10305 I.H. 35 North San Antonio TX 78233 800-862-6658
Majilite Corporation 1530 Broadway Rd. Dracut MA 01826