Fat Biscuit interior

[OrangeCountyLook]

Hi guys,

I am about to start making interior for my 64'. I'd like to make fat biscuit interior and have thousands of photos, but I wondered if there are any official measurements for those interiors. When I look at the photos, they all look exactly the same, but can't find any numbers. Any advice would be much appreciated! :-)

[TexasTom]

Seems to me the numbers are staring you in the face!
Get a seat and some panels and start measuring!

Always means so much more when you figure it out for yourself!
TxT

[danny gabbard]

Like tom sez! They look close to the door handle length, Measure a door handle. Just a Idea.

[Zach Gomulka]

Start with a door panel. Divide the length up into how many squares you want, I think it's 33" wide so you could have 6 squares 5 1/2"x5 1/2"... Or more or less squares (or rows) depending on the look you want. Whatever you end up with on the doors, transfer that to the rear panels and the seats so it all matches.

Here's one I did...
http://cal-look.no/lounge/index.php/topic,5626.450.html

[gibber!]

Need it be such an exact science?
In my opinion if you're trying to imitate Don Bradford's fat biscuit then by all means consult the history books.
But when it came to my interior I told my upholsterer the style I wanted (which was fat biscuit) and he interpreted it in his own way.

[Zach Gomulka]

Need it be such an exact science?

If you want it to look right, then yes! I guarantee Brad, and your upholsterer, did it the exact same way.

[OrangeCountyLook]

I will probably start measuring by myself and find best ratios. I am ashamed to say, but don't know the history of this interior, can anybody post photo of Don Bradford's interior and tell me the story?!

[Sarge]

The seats in our first sandrail were done by Brad... so was the '73 Datsun truck but it got black tuck 'n roll.

[gibber!]

Need it be such an exact science?

If you want it to look right, then yes! I guarantee Brad, and your upholsterer, did it the exact same way.

I completely agree with you Zach with regards to the measuring and ensuring that the panels are divided equally. What I was questioning is whether every interior had to conform to the same rule- there seems to be little individuality.

[TexasTom]

On the contrary, rather than conformity it's a rule of proportions ... it always comes down to the Math.
What size square will equally divide into the width of the door panel and the center section of the seat. In this case the only variable is the width of the divider, in between the biscuits, if you prefer that look. Some do, some don't.
Simple when you get down to it, the Math that is.

Dare to be different?

TxT

[gibber!]

Dare to be different?

TxT

Yes sir...! 

[Zach Gomulka]

Need it be such an exact science?

If you want it to look right, then yes! I guarantee Brad, and your upholsterer, did it the exact same way.

I completely agree with you Zach with regards to the measuring and ensuring that the panels are divided equally. What I was questioning is whether every interior had to conform to the same rule- there seems to be little individuality.

Got it

[Zach Gomulka]

In this case the only variable is the width of the divider, in between the biscuits...

Not really... I just make one chalk line (say every 5 1/2"), and put a stitch on each side of the line. However, the material will shrink when you stitch it up, that much you have to allow for!

[Bendik]

The seats in our first sandrail were done by Brad... so was the '73 Datsun truck but it got black tuck 'n roll.

Off topic; I'd like to see the Datsun..

[beatnik beetle]

yep off topic but, I would like to see the Datsun as well...

[TexasTom]

In this case the only variable is the width of the divider, in between the biscuits...

Not really... I just make one chalk line (say every 5 1/2"), and put a stitch on each side of the line. However, the material will shrink when you stitch it up, that much you have to allow for!

Meaning that's one of the main variables I notice in many of the different interpretations I've seen ... IF the biscuits are FAT

[Sarge]

Off topic; I'd like to see the Datsun..

yep off topic but, I would like to see the Datsun as well...

Off topic it is.... sorry I couldn't come up with an interior picture though

[Bendik]

Nice Datsun!

Like these old pickups with proper wheels/tires.

[danny gabbard]

In this case the only variable is the width of the divider, in between the biscuits...

Not really... I just make one chalk line (say every 5 1/2"), and put a stitch on each side of the line. However, the material will shrink when you stitch it up, that much you have to allow for!

Meaning that's one of the main variables I notice in many of the different interpretations I've seen ... IF the biscuits are FAT

Need some gravy with those biscuits!

[70slooker]

Off topic; I'd like to see the Datsun..

yep off topic but, I would like to see the Datsun as well...

Off topic it is.... sorry I couldn't come up with an interior picture though

sure hope those are packard wires! 

[Fasterbrit]

That Datsun rocks! 

[65bug]

When I get my new TMI sport seat kits for my stock 65 seats, I am going biscuit interior for sure! What I great look! And that red is so racey/slutty looking I love it! LOL! Never have liked red interior but it sure looks good in the photo above. Thanks for sharing the pics 

[Sarge]

That Datsun rocks! 

Thanks!  DKP was winding down in 1972 and a number of us had moved on to dirt bikes so a truck became a necessity.  The built 1700cc engine came from Darrell Vittone and was actually installed by DV himself when he had the shop next to McPeek's.  It smoked badly and I would later have it torn down to find no valve stem seals (strange because Fumio did the head).  The tear down was a good opportunity to ditch the no-name cam, add some Total Seal rings, a 2000 Roadster clutch and some factory racing headers.  Too bad the truck was stolen shortly thereafter; it was a strong runner.    Now, back to Fat Biscuits....

[deano]

I will post of recent photo of Don Bradford next week when I get back in town. When asked about the biscuit inserts, Brad would try to vary the size or width of the pattern from car to car, just to make them a bit different. If you look at old photos of the DKP cars, none of the seats are exactly the same. While they all were double-stitched, the number of rows were not the same. Brad did tell me that he got a lot of his "training" from his old employer, which I just forgot his name right now...But I will think of it later on.

[deano]

Here is a recent photo of Don "Brad" Bradford, who now lives in Nampa, Idaho. That's the same sewing machine he used back in the day, when he did all those biscuit interiors.

[Sarge]

Here is a recent photo of Don "Brad" Bradford, who now lives in Nampa, Idaho. That's the same sewing machine he used back in the day, when he did all those biscuit interiors.

  !!!  Thanks for sharing that pic, Dean!

[TexasTom]

So Dean, can we assume you tracked down Mr. Bradford to have him make some more magic for your '67???
I gather by the photo he may be still putting his old machine through it's bag of tricks ...
Pretty COOL, I think.
TxT

[Eric Ellis (57HotrodVW)]

Mmmm, biscuits! How about some made out of aluminum?

[deano]

So Dean, can we assume you tracked down Mr. Bradford to have him make some more magic for your '67???
I gather by the photo he may be still putting his old machine through it's bag of tricks ...
Pretty COOL, I think.
TxT

Well, ol' Brad is now retired and doesn't fire up the sewing machine much any more. Too bad. As I would love to have him stitch my interior again, I am having Collins in Downey do my (new) interior. Those aluminum panels have been sitting patiently for their big day. Powdering coating comes soon.

When Brad closed down his shop in Anaheim, I took over the ownership of his workbench, bench grinder, floor jack, sign (!) and so on. I treasure all these tools, considering their history.

[johnl]

Here is a recent photo of Don "Brad" Bradford, who now lives in Nampa, Idaho. That's the same sewing machine he used back in the day, when he did all those biscuit interiors.

Brad looks pretty much the same as I remember him with the possible exception of being a bit heavier, but who of that era doesn't.  His work was simply the BEST and I wish we had him today. 

Back in the day Brad and I use to go for lunch at "Poor Joseph's" on Chapman just west of Main St. on the north side.  You might break your neck getting to a booth by slipping on the greasy floor but the burgers were some of the best I've ever had.  Today the building is there but it is some Asia place the last time I looked.  Great memories................