[jamesq]

So while the back seat and all the hard cargo area parts are at the upholsterer, I decided to tackle the cargo floor area of my 63 Bonneville wagon.

First problem - I didn't have all the skid strips and couldn't find originals (big surprise). I ended up using polished stainless pickup bed strips, cut to size.. No engine turning in the flat parts, but you use what you can get!

Second problem - I was missing some of the 1/2" stainless border strips. Again, no luck finding originals. I ended up at a local sheet metal shop who cut me 40' (5x8') of polished 1/2" stainless with a 1/4" lip for $100. I thought it was a good deal!

I will have used almost three running yards of carpet when I finish the back of the back seat. An experienced person would probably have used less.....

This is the finished cargo area floor:

[3fastgtos]

Looks great, I just did the same thing. You’ll love it when it’s done.

[ben3843100]

Originally Posted by jamesq

So while the back seat and all the hard cargo area parts are at the upholsterer, I decided to tackle the cargo floor area of my 63 Bonneville wagon.

First problem - I didn't have all the skid strips and couldn't find originals (big surprise). I ended up using polished stainless pickup bed strips, cut to size.. No engine turning in the flat parts, but you use what you can get!

Second problem - I was missing some of the 1/2" stainless border strips. Again, no luck finding originals. I ended up at a local sheet metal shop who cut me 40' (5x8') of polished 1/2" stainless with a 1/4" lip for $100. I thought it was a good deal!

I will have used almost three running yards of carpet when I finish the back of the back seat. An experienced person would probably have used less.....

This is the finished cargo area floor:

Looks great!


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[pfilean]

Looks nice. Great solution to the problem. Most people will never notice the difference and those who do already know the problems you face working the old stuff.

[mgarblik]

That looks very nice. Is this a Bonneville wagon? My 66 Catalina 9 passenger wagon had a hard embossed vinyl material in the areas you have carpeted. Your car is much nicer.

[jamesq]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

That looks very nice. Is this a Bonneville wagon? My 66 Catalina 9 passenger wagon had a hard embossed vinyl material in the areas you have carpeted. Your car is much nicer.

Thanks, it is a Bonneville. I guess the trimmed-out cargo area was part of the price difference between the Catalina and Bonneville. The bodies are the same.
There is a 63 Catalina wagon on Ebay right now, the rear cargo area is much more plain.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11505792880...wAAOSwT3dhchlP

[brucee70]

Looks Great James !!

[webfoot]

Nice job!

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by jamesq

Thanks, it is a Bonneville. I guess the trimmed-out cargo area was part of the price difference between the Catalina and Bonneville. The bodies are the same.
There is a 63 Catalina wagon on Ebay right now, the rear cargo area is much more plain.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/11505792880...wAAOSwT3dhchlP

That E-Bay wagon has a nice body. Not crazy about the interior color, but a nice car overall. My Catalina wagon, (66), had a similar vinyl interior, better colors IMO. The cargo side of the interior panels where your are carpeted, had a very thick vinyl/rubber, deeply embossed and very tough material.

[jamesq]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

That E-Bay wagon has a nice body. Not crazy about the interior color, but a nice car overall. My Catalina wagon, (66), had a similar vinyl interior, better colors IMO. The cargo side of the interior panels where your are carpeted, had a very thick vinyl/rubber, deeply embossed and very tough material.

The body does look good on that car. I am not crazy about the half-hearted effort to turn the Catalina into a Bonneville, It is a mish-mash of parts (wrong Bonneville emblem on the tailgate, it's from a trunk; extra rear lower quarter moldings and other stuff) but to each his own!
James Q

[jamesq]

I got all my upholstery back!

This is everything installed, including the console, carpet, windlace, and all the garnish moldings.

Not having taken it apart, it was a bit of a learning experience to get the rear seat to attach to the floor and fold correctly, but three tries later, I was successful.

You'll notice there are no door panels....Paid for 15 months ago from SMS and still waiting...

No headliner yet, after fighting the windlace, I will have the headliner installed by an old school trim shop.

Thanks for looking,

James Q

[brucee70]

Very Nice !!!

[JSchmitz]

That is B.A.!

[misterp266]

Lookin’ good!

[ben3843100]

Looks great! I ordered a custom vinyl top from SMS for my ‘66 2+2 but luckily received it in 3 months or so. Hopefully they’ll get your door panels back to you soon.


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[421mike]

Great looking car. As to the door panels, good luck, they will eventually get them to you if you live long enough. When you do get them they will be beautiful. Only took them 2+ years to get my 61 Bonneville panels done. Mike

[omarsphatt]

Looks great!

[jamesq]

Much progress has been made, new headliner, rebuilt rear end and rear brakes, new front and rear wheel bearings and seals but.....

After 2 1/2 years my door panels showed up from SMS today!

I got the passenger sides installed today and will finish up tomorrow.

As everyone has said, they take forever but the panels look great!

James Q

[61-63]

Beautiful car!

[webfoot]

Those look awesome. Mine are allegedly being worked on this week and will be done soon.