Inspirational Interiors

When it comes to restoring a classic GM muscle car, most enthusiasts know that you’re not really finished with the job until your interior looks as good as the exterior does. There aren’t many aspects of car restoration that are more satisfying than returning a worn-out interior to its original factory fresh appearance. When your car is finally complete, hopefully you’ll be spending more of your time sitting inside the car admiring the great interior than you’ll be spending under the hood  wrenching on things. If you’ve got a convertible, a thorough interior restoration is doubly important when the top is down and the whole interior is exposed. A complete interior restoration can really look outstanding when restored to original specs as shown here on OPGI’s 1972 Chevelle Convertible. Follow along as we take a closer look at several great interior restoration jobs and maybe you’ll be inspired to restore your own interior with parts from OPGI’s extensive line of interior parts and interior accessories.

Even if your car is not a convertible, the interior of a classic muscle car is more visible than one might imagine. The lack of B-pillars really opens up the interior and nearly every item of the 100% factory correct restoration is visible from the outside of this 1966 Chevelle SS when the door is open. All OPGI interior components are exact factory reproductions that are guaranteed to meet all OEM specifications for fit, finish and functionality. Exact reproduction interior components from OPGI include authentic grains, enamel-baked paint, flawless chrome accents, and brushed aluminum fascia, making all virtually indistinguishable from original factory parts.

Whether your project car is equipped with bucket seats and a center console like this clean 1971 Buick Skylark GS interior, or a bench seat and manual 4-speed like the 1965 El Camino interior shown below, OPGI has everything you need to restore your GM classic back to perfect showroom shape.

No interior component makes a bigger impression than the seats. OPGI offers everything from seat foam and upholstery to completely assembled seats to fit all of the most popular GM classic A-body cars. OPGI stocks reproduction seat upholstery kits featuring factory-correct center inserts along with authentic heavy-grain vinyl skirts in more sets and colors than any other supplier. The basic black interior shown here looks just right inside this bright orange GTO Judge from 1969.

This 1971 El Camino is fitted with brand new reproduction gauges and dash lamps that are 100% factory correct.  OPGI offers reproduction gauges as well as custom gauges that combine nostalgic styling with modern engineering. New steering wheels, dash accessories and dashboard lamps can go a long way toward making a worn interior look factory fresh again.

Complete, factory-correct door panel kits are available for everything from the ’69 GTO Judge above, to the ’66 Chevelle shown below. Interior door panels often get damaged and become worn over time. New door panel kits that include all of the GM factory trim and hardware can really make a difference in this area.

Because door sill step plates take a lot of abuse and are visible every time you open your doors, OPGI offers factory-accurate reproduction step plates in aluminum complete with “Body by Fisher” badges pre-riveted to the assembly. For a bit of added durability, stainless steel step plates are also available without the Fisher Body badges or mounting screws.

Complete center console kits include everything needed for a complete restoration including console bases, doors, hinges, back light assemblies, finished top plates, correct indicator lenses, dial assemblies, sealing strips, lock latches, screw kits, and even the mounting brackets. Depending on the application, OPGI Shifter Assemblies feature pre-installed lockout buttons and springs along with all the features needed for a trouble-free installation in your car. OPGI premium reproduction Center Console Kits are available for Chevelles, El Caminos and Monte Carlos from 1966 to 1972 equipped with manual, Turbo Hydra-Matic, or Powerglide transmissions. Although all kit components can be ordered from the OPGI catalog as separate items, complete kits usually represent the best deals.

Nothing looks quite as good as a black carpeted interior fitted with white seats. Conversely, nothing looks quite as bad as white seating that is stained or worn out. As displayed in this 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible, all new seat upholstery in white solves the problem.

Don’t forget the back seat! Seating upholstery that matches the front buckets, as shown on this 1964 Riviera, is available in a huge variety of colors and styles.

In addition to carpet kits, upholstery kits, console kits and door panel kits, headliner kits that are exact duplicates of the headliners GM used from 1964 to 1977 are available in all factory correct colors and patterns. Here, a 1971 El Camino shows off a complete new headliner that is a perfect match for the original factory equipment.

More part of the interior than the exterior, a clean trunk  is another area that will gain points for an original, factory-correct appearance. Here, a 1965 GTO displays a restored trunk area complete with new, OEM-specification trunk mat and correct-pattern spare tire cover. Depending on the application, OPGI trunk mats are available in both rubber and carpet versions.

Shop for restoration parts at www.opgi.com.

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