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Find out how you can get involved with the next 'Wheel of Dreams' project. Email Michael Clark today!
michaelclark@mts.net.
michaelclark@mts.net.
This is the story of the '40 Chev raffled off in '08. Reprinted with the kind permission of Michael Clark.
The forecast called for rain last Thursday night. It's what could have raining from the headliner of the 1940 Chevy Wheels of Dreams project car that had me holding my breath. "They can sometimes rain down a pile of mouse droppings," said Lloyd Gering, as I assisted him with the removal of the Chevy's headliner fabric and door panels. Gering, who has 27 years of automotive upholstery experience, graciously volunteered his services for the interior makeover of the Wheels of Dreams Chevy, which will be raffled off next year for the good of The Rainbow Society.
For Gering, the initial stages of learning the automotive side of the upholstery trade were somewhat unofficial. "The course was supposed to be furniture only," said Gering, who learned his craft at Red River College. "Our instructor would always let us work on automotive stuff." Folks in the automotive restoration community might recognize Gering from his work at the former Garry's Upholstery shop on Main Street. The Art Of The Stitch has always been a part-time gig for Gering, who is currently gearing up for seasonal seat refreshing for snowmobile customers. You need only glance inside the cozy confines of his '69 Chevy Nova SS to appreciate his expertise.
The headliners on most modern vehicles have switched to a collection of pre-formed padded materials, designed to be form-fitted to the inside of the vehicle roof. It wasn't that long ago that this interior finisher was constructed out of various fabrics, suspended tautly by a series of metal rods, commonly known as bows. The bows slide into fabric sleeves on the inner side of the headliner fabric. "The sleeves have to be cut to the correct proportion," said Gering. "This is so you can slide the material on the bows, without it binding." The bows on the Chevy are unique, in that a few of them are actually securely fastened to the inner metalwork by screws, instead of relying on just spring tension.
Speaking of fastening, the Chevy's door panels are held onto the doors by Super-Pointy staple prongs. (I've got the cuts to prove it.) The edges of the headliner, which would normally be hidden by the interior trim, are affixed with some form of nail. "They used a lot of nails in those days," said Gering. The original headliner material from the '40 will be used to produce a new swatch, serving as the template. It's important to keep the bows in the proper order when performing a dismantle. Their respective positions determine the overall shape of the headliner. The Wheels of Dreams team is currently searching for an upholstery materials supplier, which should be confirmed shortly.
For Gering, the initial stages of learning the automotive side of the upholstery trade were somewhat unofficial. "The course was supposed to be furniture only," said Gering, who learned his craft at Red River College. "Our instructor would always let us work on automotive stuff." Folks in the automotive restoration community might recognize Gering from his work at the former Garry's Upholstery shop on Main Street. The Art Of The Stitch has always been a part-time gig for Gering, who is currently gearing up for seasonal seat refreshing for snowmobile customers. You need only glance inside the cozy confines of his '69 Chevy Nova SS to appreciate his expertise.
The headliners on most modern vehicles have switched to a collection of pre-formed padded materials, designed to be form-fitted to the inside of the vehicle roof. It wasn't that long ago that this interior finisher was constructed out of various fabrics, suspended tautly by a series of metal rods, commonly known as bows. The bows slide into fabric sleeves on the inner side of the headliner fabric. "The sleeves have to be cut to the correct proportion," said Gering. "This is so you can slide the material on the bows, without it binding." The bows on the Chevy are unique, in that a few of them are actually securely fastened to the inner metalwork by screws, instead of relying on just spring tension.
Speaking of fastening, the Chevy's door panels are held onto the doors by Super-Pointy staple prongs. (I've got the cuts to prove it.) The edges of the headliner, which would normally be hidden by the interior trim, are affixed with some form of nail. "They used a lot of nails in those days," said Gering. The original headliner material from the '40 will be used to produce a new swatch, serving as the template. It's important to keep the bows in the proper order when performing a dismantle. Their respective positions determine the overall shape of the headliner. The Wheels of Dreams team is currently searching for an upholstery materials supplier, which should be confirmed shortly.
It's okay to be board, as in thin-gauge composite board material for the Chevy's door panels. The original panels have fallen victim to the rigors of moisture, as well as a funk all their own. Using what's left of them, Gering will first cut the board to fit. The door panel material will be stretched over the panel, and held in place with proper staples, instead of glue. "Glue and me just don't get along," said Gering. New-style nylon fasteners will put the upgraded panels in place. The Wheels of Dreams parts finder (me, myself and I) is looking for a local lumber concern to provide these panels, as well as thicker MDF board for the future trunk enclosure. The door and window cranks are in stunning original condition, with practically zero tarnish. They'll receive a little bit of spit and polish, and be re-used.
Luckily, the headliner did not produce any unwanted fecal flurries. These are common nesting areas for mice in field-fresh cars. Cotton and other interior softies are removed from various points within the car, then transformed up to the hammock-style comfort of the headliner. "This one has weathered very well," said Gering. "I've never gutted an original interior like this." The original rear door panels used armrest jut-outs, which will be erased for wider seat room from later model seats, provided by Team Auto.
It's hard to miss Gering's enthusiasm for the Wheels of Dreams project. "It's an excellent idea," said Gering. "The nice thing is that it's a bunch of country guys putting it together for a great cause." Speaking of country guys, there's a new high profile donation of parts from some out-of-country guys headed this way. Read all the details next Tuesday, and ever Tuesday, in the Winnipeg Sun. You can help! Email Michael Clark today, or leave a message at the Wheels of Dreams Parts Hotline: 339-9331
Luckily, the headliner did not produce any unwanted fecal flurries. These are common nesting areas for mice in field-fresh cars. Cotton and other interior softies are removed from various points within the car, then transformed up to the hammock-style comfort of the headliner. "This one has weathered very well," said Gering. "I've never gutted an original interior like this." The original rear door panels used armrest jut-outs, which will be erased for wider seat room from later model seats, provided by Team Auto.
It's hard to miss Gering's enthusiasm for the Wheels of Dreams project. "It's an excellent idea," said Gering. "The nice thing is that it's a bunch of country guys putting it together for a great cause." Speaking of country guys, there's a new high profile donation of parts from some out-of-country guys headed this way. Read all the details next Tuesday, and ever Tuesday, in the Winnipeg Sun. You can help! Email Michael Clark today, or leave a message at the Wheels of Dreams Parts Hotline: 339-9331
Previous portions of this story can be found here.
Part Seven: A stitch in time: meet the Wheels of Dreams Sew Man
