CARPET DYING

[johnl]

I'm trying to replace carpet in one of my cars.  Originally this car was done in Hogs Hair which was a high end carpet of the day for expensive cars.  Problem is the only supply of this is in a tan-brown Hogs Hair color and I need it in a Cinnamon shade.  Has anyone ever dyed this type of carpet and if so what product and method was used?

Thanks,

John Lazenby

[Zach Gomulka]

I've never dyed carpet, only vinyl, leather, and plastic with good results. I've never heard of "hogs hair", nor has my boss and he's been doing auto upholstery for 44 years... he's worked on most everything I presume this is for one of your 300's?

[.]

John, Have you tried Hirsch or LeBaron Bonney?
I know Wilton carpets are available in Cinnamon, but not exactly the same as Hogs Hair.

[Zach Gomulka]

Wilton wool is very nice ($$$) carpet. German velour is also very nice, but more affordable. I assume hogs hair is cut pile, not loop?

[johnl]

Thanks guys for the input.  Hogs Hair was used in high end American cars starting in the 1930's through the mid 1950's.  Recently I purchased a 1953 Chrysler Imperial Newport (2 door hardtop), one of 823 built and one of 9 I've documented to still exist.  Mine is a 66K mostly original car.  The carpet has been replaced sometime in the cars history and I'm trying to bring it back.  I only have the original Hogs Hair on the bottom of the door panels.  Photos of the car attached.

John

[Zach Gomulka]

It's hard to tell what the carpet looks like in the photo, but the car looks great

[Nico86]

Sweet car!

[johnl]

It's hard to tell what the carpet looks like in the photo, but the car looks great

This is a car that I dreamed about owning since I was 6 years old.  My car is only the second one I've ever seen in person and trust me I know where these cars are.  In my wildest dreams did I ever think I would own one let alone one of this quality.  I strongly suspect this may be the best unrestored example in the world.

This car is truly like driving your living room around as it is that comfortable.  It makes hard turns about as well as a house would...    The photo is the Happy Owner at the wheel on a SoCal Freeway....   

[johnl]

This is the only photo of the door panel with the carpet at the bottom I currently have.  What you are viewing is 100% original with the exception of the arm rest being recovered.  I took this photo when I first visited the car in San Luis Obispo, CA just after it was pulled out of a barn where it had been stored for 20+ years.  Within an hour after this photo was taken I purchased it.  That was July 17, 2010 Disneyland's 55th anniversary.  Christie was at Disneyland that day and I was having my own "E-Ticket" ride.