Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

Hi all,
After removing 2 faux fur covers and a saddle blanket, I discovered my new-to-me 1965 GMC 1000 appears to have the original upper seat vinyl, still in fairly decent shape though faded. However, the bottom bench seat appears to have been reupholstered at some point.

Has anyone ever seen a close match to the factory vinyl for this model year? I assume the pattern is going to be impossible to find so I might go for a solid color pattern. Not trying to win any contests with the truck, just trying to stay true to it's roots.

Here are a few pics of my seat unveiling.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/az...O=w300-h950-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DT...W=w700-h827-no

And here is some material I came across that shows and describes the embossed vinyl.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I9...0=w700-h768-no

Re: Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

No others interested in this topic so I'll just close it out w/ this update, from SMS auto fabrics.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g_...1=w557-h989-no

Re: Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

thanks for the info

Re: Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

I read through your query about upholstery, and as far as I know SMS in Oregon may be the only place to get original (cloth) factory patterns for just about any make/model/year. The vinyl material is reproduced by SMS.
I make the suggestion to get the cloth material along with the vinyl as it is so much more comfortable and breathes well- vinyl is hot-hot-hot and sweating is a problem, at least in a less temperate climate like Phoenix where I live. May not be an issue for you at all.
SMS will send you samples of both fabric and vinyl for your 65 GMC if you request it.

Re: Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

I love SMS but they are slow as Christmas and the fabric sample they stapled to that letter they sent you is 1965 Chevrolet-only - you gotta watch them - they confuse Chevy and GMC fabrics a lot. They just sent me 4 yards of 1960 GMC fabric when they were supposed to send 1960 Chevrolet fabric. I have been waiting on my Fawn Vinyl to get here for 2 months now.

Really surprised they had that correct embossed vinyl for the non-Custom 65 GMC seat Praxxis - that is super cool. Yours will probably be the only correct non-Custom seat in the country after you get that sewn together - love it

Re: Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

I'm not ready to pull the trigger yet, was mainly just curious if we could get it. My truck needs a lot of work before it is nice enough to warrant a nice seat cover. My plan for now is to just patch the aftermarket vinyl lower seat cover that's in there, leave the stock bench upper back piece in place, and cover it with the saddle blanket that came with the truck.

If I ever get the time, money, and space to do a good restoration, hopefully SMS is still in business and making that vinyl, because I do like the idea of going the road less traveled.

It's amazing that I've already hit what I set as the "budget" for this project truck and I feel like I haven't even gotten started.

Re: Any good matches for original seat vinyl?
 

Hey guys, my first post on the forum. Just picked up a 66 Burb and am going to start the long road to my dream truck. I own a Custom Upholstery shop here in Oklahoma City. I run into this problem all the time, and it is a brutal deadline destroyer for me. One suggestion I have is to call originalauto.com. They're usually really patient and helpful. If they don't have it, they can probably tell you everybody who does.