1959 Imperial interior color availability

["Mel Wyshynski" <mvwyshy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Neal

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a thorough response. I also am surprised that leather was not available on the LeBaron.

I have tried many places and ways to get the car's build codes interpreted and, to date, have had no success (although I have been able to interpret portions of them). I had hoped that by interpreting them I would be able to determine a number of facts that would be either helpful or interesting. At this point I am no longer aggressively pursuing this (although I still watch for such information).

At this point I am of the opinion that leather is the way to go. I do not believe this will detract or downgrade the  intrinsic value of the car although a "purist" may have some other opinion.

In the final analysis I am restoring the car for my personal use and, at this point, have no intention of ever selling it.

The availability of NOS leather or a quality reproduction seems extremely limited. I was told that Frank Mitchell may have a supply (send one arm, one leg and lots of $$$) but I do not have his email address or his phone or fax number. Do you know his contact number(s)?

I live in Canada so there is an additional level of difficulty accessing parts (limited supply here and "good old customs" do their bit to add a degree of difficulty to importing).

No matter what I am still targeting May 1, 2004 as the completion date for the complete restoration.

Thanks for your help

----- Original Message -----

From: Neal Herman

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2003 9:59 PM

Subject: IML: 1959 Imperial interior color availability

There are no names for the upholstery colors shown in my 1959 paint chip and upholstery swatch book, only trim code numbers.  The paint chips, of course, have names and letters codes.  It gives all of the possible two-tone combinations and the variety of interior options available with specific colors.  The 1959 auto show press kit gives names to the cloth and does give a few basic colors, which is what I'll use below in [brackets] with what they really look to be in (parentheses).  The book is very confusing to read, but this is what I'm gleaning from it:

 

Customs had sort of a diamond-pattern "Crusader" cloth (black background with colored accent threads) with vertical pleated vinyl.  Sedans could be ordered with code 501 [blue (medium-light)]; 502 [green (medium-light)]; 503 [brown (tan, really)]; and 504 [gray (light)].  Southamptons were available in those colors (though with different numbers) plus two more: 511 = 501; 512 = 502; 513 = 503; 514 = 504; 515 (turquoise); 516 [ruby (rose, really)].

 

The Crown Sedan was available with "Paris inspired 'LeHavre' Jacquard cloth" with broadcloth bolsters in codes 601 (royal blue); 602 (medium-dark green); 603 (brown); and 604 (dark grey).

 

The Crown Convertible was available in "Balmoral" cloth with leather bolsters.  The cloth is a tweed-like material.  The colors are 611 (medium-light blue); 613 (tan); 615 (turquoise); and 616 (rose).  The Southamptons were available in those colors plus 612 (medium green); and 614 (medium-light grey).  One could also order as an option in the Crown Sedan four of these Balmoral combinations: 611, 612, 613 and 614.

 

The standard interior in the LeBaron was broadcloth in codes 701 (royal blue); 702 (medium green); 703 (brown); 704 (dark grey); and 706 (dark red or burgundy).  Those same colors were available in a broadcloth with leather bolsters, but with different codes, as follows: 711(royal blue broadcloth with medium blue leather); 712 (medium green broadcloth with medium green leather); 713 (brown with tan leather); 714 (dark grey broadcloth with light grey leather); and 716 (burgundy broadcloth with rose leather).

 

It appears that the all-leather interior was only available in the Crowns, not the Customs (too "entry level" for all-leather?) and not the LeBaron.  The all-leather interior was code 621 [blue (medium-light)]; 622 [beige]; 623 [red (lipstick red)]; and 627 [white pearlescent (all new for 1959)].

 

I can only guess why all-leather wasn't available in the LeBaron.  Many top-of-the-line cars in the '30s & '40s, particularly the chauffeur-driven, would have leather drivers seats and broadcloth seats in the passenger compartment.  Maybe leather was considered too hard a material for milady's fine dresses and too hot/cold in extreme climates.  The press kit states, "Fine, smooth, soft-to-the-touch wool broadcloth in rich subtle tones create a feeling of warmth and tranquility."  'nuf said!

 

Neal Herman

1959 Imperial Crown 4-door Southampton "Aquitania", Aqua Mist with Silvercrest Landau roof and turquoise Balmoral interior

1972 Buick Riviera "Bianca d'Azur, Arctic White with blue vinyl sport roof and blue Kassel cloth interior

1983 Chrysler Cordoba "Christine Corinthia, Crimson Red with red landau roof and silver leather interior

1997 Buick Riviera, Adriatic Blue Pearl with blue Sierra grain leather interior

 

(beats the hell out of a taupe-on-taupe minivan or SUV!!)

 

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Mel Wyshynski

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: 6/18/2003 7:12:20 AM

Subject: IML: Correct color description

As I go through the increasingly challenging task of restoring my '59 Lebaron it never fails that someone asks a simple question that is not so simple.

Case in point. The "red" leather seats in the car were replaced (probably at different times as the front and back are not matched nor is either one original). The question I was asked is "What was the original color?" The answer "Red" doesn't seem to fly. I suppose a better description is warranted but I do not know the correct color description. I now know that the correct description for the exterior color is deep ruby and not dark red. Does anyone know the correct color description for the "red" interior?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Mel 

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