The Beast's New Interior
On Friday, February 18, 2005, the final two pieces were installed:  The dash pad (refurbished at Dash Specialists in Oregon) and the dash gauge bezel (the chrome and black piece around the speedometer, gas gauge, clock and heater/AC controls) was rechromed at American Classics Restorations in Massachusetts. 

(To see the latest work on my 77 Vette's interior, click here.)
 

 

 


From a different angle - due to the flash, the colors are a bit off in this shot. 



I had a special "doggie seat cover" made so the dogs won't destroy the leather.



Notice the "marine-style" turnbuckles along the top edge of the backseat.  (There are two more below, where the seat meets the carpet.)



While driving the car around to recharge the battery after two months of sitting, the speedometer rolled over (presumably 200,000 miles) at the intersection of Green Bay Road and Lake Avenue in Wilmette. 

December 2004
At the recommendation of my friend and colleague Larry Rutherford., I had  the interior completely redone at Lawrence Auto Marine Interiors.  It is not "original" because the old interior was vinyl and this one is leather.  The man who did the work (Pedro) is a true artist/craftsman.  He reproduced (and improved upon) the original interior pattern and even used the original metal "ringlets.  The stitching on the "pleats" of the seats is hidden, unlike the vinyl which had visible stitching.  I left off the "faux wood" trim because we couldn't exactly match that under the dash. 

    

I went with leather seating surfaces and door panels.  I must be colorblind, as the new color is nothing like the old one.  But, I really like it.  The new  interior is on the left. 

            

I stayed with the same basic pattern throughout.  I chose not to replace the wood trim pieces as nothing I found had the same pattern. 

         


            
             

Since the CD changer is in the glove compartment, I had a box built to store small items.

The dash pad and the instrument bezel are being restore as of this time.  I will have both back by spring. 

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