AMT 1949 Mercury Club Coupe Interior

[Jim B]

I recently started the AMT 1949 Mercury Club Coupe, and it's interesting to say the least.  Despite the fact there is quite a bit of flash, it seems to be going together quite well (for an AMT kit).  Anyway, the question I have has to do with the interior.  I am making this car a police car, so I'm thinking a stock interior.  Problem is I don't know what the stock interior looks like.  Apparently this is a very popular car to customize, so most of the photos I've found are of custom rods.  What would the stock interior look like?  Would it be fabric or vinyl?  Was the dash painted metal or some other material?  Was tan an option in 1949?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's a video walkaround of an unrestored '49 survivor (4-dr sedan). 

[Jim B]

Thanks.  That music sure is annoying.  Thank God for the mute button!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Thanks.  That music sure is annoying.  Thank God for the mute button!

Yeah, I started to warn you about that.   

And here's some '49-'50 sales material with interior illustrations...(click on the pix to make 'em bigger).

http://classicautofinder.blogspot.com/2014/02/state-of-market-1949-to-1950-mercury.html

Edited November 7, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy

[Jim B]

That site is helpful.. Thanks.

[StevenGuthmiller]

 

Steve

[Jim B]

Interesting.  So the dash & upper part of the doors are the body color.

On the tan interior, are the tan parts vinyl and the (well, I don't exactly know what color that is) parts fabric?  That's what it sort of looks like.

[CometMan]

Interesting.  So the dash & upper part of the doors are the body color.

On the tan interior, are the tan parts vinyl and the (well, I don't exactly know what color that is) parts fabric?  That's what it sort of looks like.

Don't know if they were using vinyl that far back, Jim, especially on a higher-level car like a Mercury. But, either way, whether it was genuine or imitation leather, you have the right idea.

[Jim B]

Hmm, I'm going for a police car, so I don't think I'll be using leather!

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was accidentally synthesized in 1872 in Germany.  Plasticized PVC was created in 1927.  How popular was it in the automotive industry in the 1940s?  No idea.

[CometMan]

Hmm, I'm going for a police car, so I don't think I'll be using leather!

I'm sure that even in 1949 the Chief's was pretty cushy!

[StevenGuthmiller]

Interesting.  So the dash & upper part of the doors are the body color.

On the tan interior, are the tan parts vinyl and the (well, I don't exactly know what color that is) parts fabric?  That's what it sort of looks like.

My guess is that the tan would have been leather.......just a guess.

There were most likely several different types of fabric available.

You would probably have to do a little more research on that, but this will give you a start.

 

Steve

[Art Anderson]

Don't know if they were using vinyl that far back, Jim, especially on a higher-level car like a Mercury. But, either way, whether it was genuine or imitation leather, you have the right idea.

Yes, vinyl was well-known by 1949--having been invented in the early 1890's.

 

Art

[espo]

The second picture with the tan interior is a Ford, not a Mercury.  

[Jim B]

You're right, it is a Ford.  I didn't notice that the first time around.

[StevenGuthmiller]

The second picture with the tan interior is a Ford, not a Mercury.  

OOPS!

 

Steve

[espo]

It is still a good reference picture of a Ford Victoria or Convertible. The standard Ford interior was much more "standard" than picture.