I have no idea what Ted Brito (user name Chistech) charges to do an interior but if he doubled it it would be more than fair. The interior on my '31 Sp. Sedan has been the most challenging, sometimes frustrating, time-consuming aspect of the too-many-years-long restoration process. Back when HC was still in business Ted was instrumental, due to his location and business dealings with HC, in getting me the interior kit at a very nice price. Ted has been an invaluable source of advice, pointers and encouragement to me. He is a busy fellow whose work is exquisite. He took time from his busy endeavors to message me on numerous occasions. I am indebted, grateful and humbled.
As an aside; Ted did the interior on Bob Whitmoyer's '30 a couple years back. Bob lives only 20 country miles away but we hadn't met until three weeks ago. We'd messaged and emailed over the years and it was a treat to meet in person and make a new friend. Turns out Bob and I share numerous interests aside from cars including Gettysburg National Military Park where I volunteer with the Park Service and Bob sometimes serves as a reenactor. Bob had nothing but praise and good things to say about both Ted and his wife. Given my experience with Ted I'm not surprised.
Thank you for those kind words Tom and I am humbled. When I saw the post I figured the member could be Jerry Adams (bearsfan), Chipper, or Steve as they are a wealth of info, are always gracious to share it, and do so quite often. All of them are deserving of your words. I’m sure we all share the same love of this hobby, seeing these old cars stay, or get back on the road, and helping those with less experience than us. We’ve only gained our experience by making the mistakes that we try and help others avoid by offering our advice here on these forums. While some might be reserved in person, that immediately goes away when talking old cars. It is great that you met Bob W as he and his “Hershey Posse” have become my good friends and one of the main things I look forward to at every Hershey gathering. Bob is a great guy who loves his Chevy but can occasionally slip to the dark side and drive his Fords! 🤣😂 Sorry Bob. But his selections of fords are what I like too! I am really glad I have been able to help you with your project and have simply handed down the help that was offered to me years back from members like JYD, Chipper, and especially Bill Knapp who sent me many pictures of his own 31’ special sedan to help me with my own. What I’m really happy with is you took my suggestion to heart and ordered your interior right after we talked. I had 4-6 other people who I told to order their interiors 2-4 years back and they didn’t. Now they have nothing. There was some writing on the wall that I wasn’t sure was there but I sensed it. Unfortunately I was correct and a valuable institution is gone now. So you know, I have officially gone into the restoration business with my company, 4B Mechanical Services Inc. I already have a complete sheet metal refab and a complete rebuild of all the body wood in what is believed to be the only Canadian built 32 Olds DCR in existence. I’ll be posting the restoration of the body on the AACA restoration forum. I also have a 31 Cadillac coming in for a complete, frame off restoration. The shop will be busy.
Ted, I appreciate the kind words for my help over the years. I believe it would be a crime for me to not share my experience and knowledge acquired over the past 50 plus years. I take great pleasure in helping keep these pieces of automotive history where they can be enjoyed by their owners, families and the general public. Others can complain that our hobby is dying but I have heard that same thing for the past 50 years. Still going strong as evidenced by the 200+ quality Chevys and GMCs displayed at the VCCA 60th Anniversary Meet in Bowling Green, KY. The Covid mania has had an effect but as we recover so will the hobby participation. How many thousand vehicles participated on the Woodward Dream Cruise this past weekend?
I can only echo Tom and Ted's word of appreciation and respect for our fellow VCCA members like Ted, JYD, Chipper, and Jerry Adams (BearsFan). To me, these guys are the "Backbone" of our group, always willing to help and share knowledge. By the way, Ted did the roof and other items on my car (not just upholstery), and it was all top notch, and Jerry's posts should be collected and put into a manual for us. Jerry's detailed posts and pictures are excellent !
Chipper's comments about 'keeping these pieces of automotive history where they can be enjoyed..." made an excellent point. It's amazing how these old cars and trucks bring people together, and I've met so many genuinely nice people out there because of the universal ice-breaker, a car. A few years ago, I drove a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary around town in my 37 Chevy sedan, a car identical to the car they had when they married. What a wonderful couple and fun time, an experience I will never forget.
I will confess and throw myself at the mercy of the forum but it's true, I do have Fords in my garage. In my defense, I am quick to point out the superior engineering features of the Chevrolet vs the Ford. I enjoy pointing out the fuel tank in the rear of the car, not up front in your lap, the engine and suspension differences, and so on. There's just something about cranking up that 6 cylinder OHV that feels so good !
