[sglemans]

Trying to get bench covers for my 71 Lemans, everyone is telling me there's a 6-12 month wait. Seems they all come from PUI or Legendary. Anyone have any advice as to how to get them faster? Is there another mfg out there other than those 2?

[Rachelsdad]

I had mine made custom for me at the upholsterer ('63 Bonneville, bench seat). Definitely higher cost than premade covers from PUI or Legendary, but no wait (except for normal scheduling).

[Gator67]

I purchased material from Legendary and had an upholsterer make (and install) seat covers. supplied them with old seat covers so they could mimic the pattern. This route is more expensive, but a good option if using new foams or you want something custom like bigger bolsters.

[GTO JONES]

I waited 6 months from legendary for set covers for my 69 gto.

[65madgoat]

Legendary had recently told me the same. Ridiculous but is what it is. Then SMS fabrics told me they had material in stock (like they did another member here) only to be over a month now and NOTHING. All these places need better management and production sources I guess.

[b-man]

Checking the Legendary website for upholstery for my ‘64 Le Mans convertible and it stated a 231 day lead time, so a little under 8 months.

It is what it is.

Get your orders in, time is going by faster all the time so it’s not like you’re not gonna get your upholstery.

[sglemans]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

Legendary had recently told me the same. Ridiculous but is what it is. Then SMS fabrics told me they had material in stock (like they did another member here) only to be over a month now and NOTHING. All these places need better management and production sources I guess.

Yeah SMS told me a few weeks but I'm starting to hear people's experiences with them usually do t turn out that way

[sglemans]

Wasn't there a third company that used to have seat covers etc.? I can't recall what their name was

[65madgoat]

Just checked in on my SMS order via email that I was told was to ship every week for the past 6 weeks --- "looking to ship your order NEXT week"

So bad. But what can we do when they have a monopoly.

[HoovDaddy]

In 6-12 months you can buy a machine and teach yourself how to sew. I went through the wait time during Covid. I bought a 1947 singer Commercial machine and learned it pretty quick. Rear seats/bench seats are the easiest. Find a wholesaler that has automotive/marine grade vinyl for as little as $6 per yard. Cloth is available online. A used machine costs $400 and up. Learning and maintenance on a used machine is more difficult than sewing.

[OG68]

Originally Posted by sglemans

Wasn't there a third company that used to have seat covers etc.? I can't recall what their name was

Distinctive Industries IIRC

[sglemans]

Ah yes are they still in business?

[LastoftheThinkers]

Originally Posted by sglemans

Ah yes are they still in business?

Yea, Ames just started selling some of their products recently out of their new catalog.

[Lemans64]

Was told 7 months on Legendary cover and 3-4 for distinctive, but don't know what the reviews are on Destinctive. Anybody used them?
they were also 200 cheaper up here In Canada.

[Verdoro 68]

I had Distinctive seat covers on my car for a number of years. Not nearly as good quality as Legendary - thinner material, flatter pleats, incorrect patterns. Legendary is worth the wait.

Distinctive on the left, Legendary on the right...



Legendary on top of the Distinctive cover...

[Lemans64]

Thank You Very Much. That is what I wanted to see. Order now and will get sometime this winter. Still drivable so all good.
Thanks

[65madgoat]

And I am still waiting on my material from SMS by the way....

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by 65madgoat

And I am still waiting on my material from SMS by the way....

IF it is a fabric that SMS actually has to have mfg, there def will be a wait. I've bought fabric by the yard from SMS on several times. Even a slower deal on custom reproduced early '60's Catalina 2 door door panel & rear side panels. SMS has a large inventory, but they also source old stock from other long time trim suppliers. Years ago, i was sourcing black Parody cloth for my T-37 Coupe's seats, & after I ordered, SMS shipped me what they had, then had more yardage drop shipped to me.

For original vinyl material, several times I've went through the trim books by year usage at a large local trim supplier. Found the Lxxx numbers for the correct grain & color vinyl material, then bought the yardage I needed locally.

[65madgoat]

Finally got the material for my seat from SMS -- only to open it and find out half my order (the madrid roll of vinyl) was not in there. WHAT A PHUCKIN JOKE of a company. Unbelievable. I can't believe the monopoly they have on material. Some major restorer should buy this company and put them out of their misery. They can all go to hell. Ridiculous.

[Formula403]

Feel free to approach an upholstery shop. Get them to source the material and trim seats.