VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Hampton Interior

I anticipate ordering an interior for my 31 4Dr Standard this week. I've figured out and will fabricate the wood pieces myself. Seeing as Hampton appears to be the choice for components around here I'm seeking any comments members may have. I'm so lucky to have found the Donor car to learn from. Am I correct to make the wood pieces all from Ash? Great winter project with all this snow! Thanks, Al W.

Ash and oak were commonly used.
HC is a great choice and their product is outstanding, just don't plan on getting good instructions from them. That's been the common complaint from many of their customers, me included.

I believe that they now have a video on how to do their upholstery work. Why not give them a call and get the link. I saw it once and it was very interesting.

Fred

You can also do a search here for "Hampton Coach". There has been many discussions on the subject.

I did my Coupe a few years ago, and the instructions they sent are for years 31 and 32 and all body styles. Make sure you read all the pages first BEFORE starting the work.

One problem you hear a lot, and it happened to me, is that HC uses a thicker material and foam padding than the original. I had trouble installing the inside handles, rear view mirror and sun visor brackets, header over the winshield, wiper motor (32), and garnish mouldings. They fit only after I cut away the foam padding in those areas.

Winter project by all means. The key to success is to take your time and read the instructions that apply three or four times!

Good luck,
RayG

As for the wood, I made a lot of my pieces as well from ash which I think is a better choice than Oak, not as splintery or brittle. I used poplar for the front roof bow and the backer piece behind the front roof trim piece. Poplar is much easier to shape and these 2 pieces are very difficult shapes. Since neither piece has structural implications, poplar is a better choice and I think is likely what was used originally. I used ash for the rear roof bow as it structurally supports both the roof shell and the 2 side rails. Good luck and be careful removing the original pieces as they are often badly deteriorated and fall apart, leaving a good pattern problematic. I would also in hindsight buy the door posts as they are very complex and need to be dead-on.

The comments recieved here are just what I need. Experience beats enthusiasm every time! More please. Al W.

I also use quite a bit of popular in non-structural places. Oak and ash are the wood of choice by most people for structural members. Pecan and others are good also. There are a few websites that have specifications on different woods. I use a chart that I have had for 40 years when considering which woods to use. Don't remember where I got it but has proved to be very valuable.

Since I am close enough to a large city and there are a bunch of woodworkers in my area, my choices in wood can be many. Often I can get scraps from the woodworkers that work fine for me but don't have a pretty enough grain for their furniture projects. I get it really cheap, sometimes from the scrap pile.

I meant poplar not popular. Ain't it tough when your fingers defy your brain, or visa versa so to speak (or write)?

Write on brother! Or is that right on!!