Visit Your Local Upholstery Shop—Before It’s Too Late
Perhaps I owe the reader an apology for this title, as you may live in an area where niche businesses like upholstery shops aren’t under threat of gentrification. But one look at Galvez Upholstery, a lone outpost in a neglected Houston postmodern office park that faces a row of freshly-minted, prairie-style townhomes, certainly provides a chilling effect to the automotive enthusiast.
I met Mr. Galvez (no first name, please; he said he doesn’t need the attention) during the height of the pandemic, and his passion for the craft was obvious. He was willing to work on a small project—stitching up a tear and installing NOS seat foam—and warned me of potential pitfalls. I have worked with other upholstery shops in the past, and none had given me such a detailed assessment of the job. It’s clear that Galvez’s deep-seated knowledge of the upholstery process meant he already had a plan for any project, and any level of concern from a customer could be met with the perfect choices in customer-soothing words.
I knew that one day I’d need Galvez’s services again. Which is why, after trying dry ice detailing, I decided he was the person to address another issue with my 1974 Mercury Montego MX Brougham, the car I recently purchased because of how similar it is to the one that brought me home from the hospital as a newborn. But before that, perhaps I owe you another apology.
I’ve misrepresented and undersold this car because it’s actually a 1974 Mercury Montego MX Brougham with Custom Trim Option. Those last four words mean it has unique split bench seats, while every other Montego had a regular bench seat. And the split bench was wrapped in two shades of vinyl surrounding a gradient of yellow-green velour. That decadent material was formed in a pattern worthy of the recliner from the TV show Frasier. Like, awesome.
I first learned about the Custom Trim Option in the early 2000s, when vintage sales brochures were listed on eBay in earnest. I knew one day I’d own a Montego with this fabric, as it’s a full two levels higher than the “MX” grade Montego of my childhood. In a blatant abuse of my power as an automotive journalist, I asked the folks at the Ford Heritage Vault for more interior pictures of the car with a name longer than its wheelbase. I was shocked when they found two original photos of the seats.
Seeing them in their original condition certainly helped motivate me to fix the ones in my Montego. But motivation can turn into terrifying acts of failed restorations, as what was unique in 1974 becomes impossible to reproduce fifty years later. The problem was two-fold, as ripped vinyl and disintegrated seat foam in the driver’s seat made the Montego a bit uncomfortable for most posteriors.
The previous owner had stuffed an index card into the split. I tolerated that because replacement vinyl in matching colors and textures could be impossible to source. The factory photos from Ford were nice, but whatever I used needed to match what I see before my eyes in the year 2024.
Addressing the disintegrated padding was clearly a job for a pro like Galvez, so I pulled both front seats so he could equalize the padding across both. Upon my arrival, he wheeled a dolly out to my truck so I could get the seats over to his workspace. (He was recovering from surgery at the time, and I could expedite things if I did the heavy lifting while his assistant was out.) Once in his workshop, one of the rolls of material pictured behind the seat came shockingly close to matching my cream-colored vinyl. Could it be that easy? But color is only one of two elements needed to successfully address a partial re-upholstery job, and sadly the texture of the vinyl was wrong for a 1970s automobile interior.
Galvez spotted the issue right away, the mark of an upholsterer who truly cares about a proper seat restoration. While he headed off to find more vinyl samples, I yanked out the index card jammed into the hole by the last owner, stuffing this bit of accurately toned vinyl in its place. That was an improvement, but Galvez had more to show.
He brought out several books of vinyl, and one had a grain that matched whatever vinyl Ford spec’d for the Montego MX Brougham with Custom Trim Option. I quickly pushed aside the color samples to get to the selection of whites, creams, and off-whites. One of the whites in that selection matched remarkably well at first glance, and it was called “Ivory.”
I took a close look at the other whites (there were maybe a half-dozen other options) but quickly went back to Ivory. Laying that sample across the seat and looking at it in different lights and angles is important, so I did just that. Out came the smartphone for its flashlight, and the color still looked disturbingly close to the 50-year-old material on my seats.
I pulled the trigger, telling Galvez to order this for both my car seat and a stool that needed reupholstering from my parent’s house. Two birds taken down with one ivory-hued stone.
Galvez runs a one-man shop, and my projects would be second in line, after a pair of leather seats from a 10th generation Ford F-150 Lariat. I was informed that my seats would be done next week, but I told him there was no rush, as I know he is still recovering from surgery and has very little help. I was in no hurry, and I just wanted it done right.
He called a few days later, telling me the seats were still being worked on but I could pick up the stool for my parents. I collected it, but was really hoping I’d get a look at the Montego’s seats in a disassembled state. I got just that, as Galvez was in the process of re-stitching the new vinyl into the seat cover. He replicated every shape and every stitch to factory specifications. The new material matched perfectly, and I was instantly filled with joy.
I couldn’t wait to install them in the Montego, but I knew not to rush the process. Apparently the seat foam wasn’t the main source of pain for my backside, as Galvez had to reassemble the metal seat springs that were either improperly installed at the factory or fell apart over time. All this work, including reupholstering that stool, set me back a mere $325. (Don’t worry, I gave him a significant tip to show my appreciation.)
Galvez helped me load the seats into my truck, which was a good sign that he was healing from his surgery. I must have been running mostly on adrenaline at this point, as I only remember a few moments of brute force and agile machinations to get the seats from the upholstery shop to the yellow-hued cabin of my Montego. Each seat sailed past the Montego’s tight threshold without scratching door sills, the dashboard, or the B-pillar trim.
With the job done, I was overcome with a sense of pure, unadulterated joy that I haven’t felt in years. Perhaps decades? While words sometimes cannot convey feelings, perhaps these photos get you closer to the reality.
Even photos don’t do it justice, as you have to sit in these seats to believe them. They are squishy yet supportive, with supple velour and soft vinyl. Fresh foam and vintage fabrics are a pairing that makes this Montego more comfortable than darn near any new car available on the market today.
I never asked how much he’d charge only for the seats (not including that stool), but I did want to get him on the record with a brief interview. That wasn’t in the cards, because as mentioned he is leery of drawing attention at the end of a 50-plus-year career in automotive upholstery. Sometime next year his upholstery shop will cease to exist, but Galvez is looking forward to retirement.
When that happens, the decades of knowledge he’s accumulated will be lost. Galvez did say he had been looking to bring an apprentice into his business, to teach the things he’s learned over the years. He cut his teeth on interiors from the 1930-40s, back when those cars were the hottest antiques of the 1970s. It’s a shame he never found that apprentice.
The future has yet to unfold for Galvez’s upholstery shop, but all signs point to an inauspiciously forgettable ending. The local news won’t cover this business closure, though ironically they covered an accident happening at the aforementioned townhomes across the street. I assume the heightened land value of the little office park ensures it will become more of that type of housing in the near future. But Galvez made his mark on me, and I will not forget his business, his decades honing his crafts, and his kindness.
This is a tale with an actionable moral: Seek out your local upholstery shops, and ask them if they can both repair and reproduce interiors to your satisfaction. I don’t believe everyone can restore an interior to a factory condition with detailed methodology like I’ve seen with Galvez. So if you find that person, please support them to the best of your ability. They don’t make ’em like that much anymore.
When I read the title of this article, I almost shed a tear. Yup, if you find one – get there while you can! While we still have a couple of suitable shops in my area, my favorite folded last year – much for the same reasons as Mr. Galvez’s business.
https://youtu.be/O4WLdgTB-ew
Anyway, congrats on the front seat rebuilds, Sajeev. At least in pictures, they look fantastic!
Thanks for reading, and yes, they look amazing even in person. Did you by any chance mean to post a different YouTube link?
Yikes! Yessir, I surely did – thank you. I’ve been dodging rain showers all morning trying to get a pole painting project done outside the barn before winter hits, and Mrs. DUB6 was calling me for lunch, so I was distracted, I guess.
https://youtu.be/DOB3W7aNgTE
Wow, the parallels between our upholstery shops are shocking! Well maybe not, because this really doesn’t surprise me.
I have one of those, worth his weight in gold.
Very cool Sajeev!!! Love the 79’s interiors! Many years ago I had a shop[ and rented space from an upholstery shop. The owner, was an old guy whose specialty was building soft tops for old English cars, from scratch. People, from around the country, would send him their old MG’s, Triumphs etc for Mel to build them, as the British would say ‘Bespoke’ soft tops and interiors. He was something to watch. Thank you fo rthe walk down Memory Lane…
Wow, then you absolutely understand the craftsmanship involved! I am glad this article resonated with you. Thanks for reading!
We have many shops but not many hood ones left.
My neighbor did show car interior. He taught me from repair and seat repair. It has come in handy fixing and replacing covers and parts.
I have not done the sewing level yet. I have a really good Singer sewing machine mom had and I have been putting off learning how to sew.
This is not an impossible skill and if you have someone show you a few things it can be learned.
Agreed. I think its more of a trial and error thing, probably with less errors if a mentor was watching over you.
Your mom’s Singer won’t do the job. You need the heavy duty upholstery sewing machines to handle the thick fabrics—and even harder vinyls and leathers car interiors use. Completely different equipment!
You are correct. My late father-in-law was an upholsterer and we ended up with his two very heavy duty upholstery sewing machines. I think the name was Sew Fine or something like that. They were very large and designed for heavy thick fabrics. These machines are totally different from any kind of conventional sewing machine. Unfortunately, I was unable to find anyone interested in these machines and I disassembled them last year. They are gone now.
Right on. I have a friend who used to work in a local shop. When he retired, he managed to procure a machine and set it up in his garage. He just does his own work, but once he allowed me to use it – while looking over my shoulder and giving advice – for a small project. That machine would sew laps around anything my wife uses!
Yes, D.K. In the ’70s, a coworker bought a gear-driven machine for reupholstering his ’56 Corvette. I understand he let his wife borrow it for more mundane work.
All of a sudden someone who knows how to put a good top on a 72 Skylark is getting rare too in NW Wisconsin. Any advise?
Find the nearest big city and do a google near me search there instead: https://www.hagerty.com/media/advice/piston-slap/piston-slap-why-your-chrome-needs-the-google-near-me-search/
Might take a few minutes but you will find a shop that’s worth a phone call. I googled a few in Minneapolis that might be worth calling, maybe?
In this “order it from unknown entities from China” world, this article was a true gem. It brought back memories of past masters in little shops from my past, woodwork, machine shops, unsung Zen masters of their craft, silently doing that which only the best f the best can do.
That’s much of what I was hoping for. I am glad you enjoyed reading this!
Mike, just had the top done on my 72 Cutlass and I am thrilled with the results. The shop also fixed several other issues he found while doing the replacement. He must have silence 10-12 squeaks and rattles. Loves Park, IL might be a drive from NW Wisconsin but it would be worth it. Topstitch and Trim upholstery, check it out.
Thanks for sharing the story and the photos. Great looking car.
Upholstery is a dying craft for sure. We have found an Amish gentleman about 45 minutes away who has become our “go to.” His home and shop don’t have wired electrify but his shop has a small gas generator to run his sewing machines. Of course, he has no phone or email, so we just drop i during daylight hours. There are always young kids in the yard speaking German and playing or tending their bees and chickens. We show up with our furniture, a bolt of the fabric we’ve chosen and a $20 deposit. He takes quick look and then hands us a card with with the quote and a date on it (usually about 4 months out). We return on the agreed-upon date and return a week later with the rest of the cash (no checks please) and we pick up our beautiful new-looking pieces. In this age if online shopping, FedEx, and Uber, visiting Mr. Yoder is an almost magical experience.
For the hands-on car enthusiasts: take a look around to see if anyone in your area teaches upholstery classes. If you find classes near you, take them! One day you may be your own (and your friends) best customer.
A good story on a deserving artisan (and issue.)
Too many crafts are becoming as extinct as blacksmithing.
FYI – the articles’ photos cover over a lot of the text.
Surely, I can’t be the only one experiencing this.
As a former pro photographer and computer-graphic artist, I’m pretty sure that the problem lies in your placing the photos without “framing” them (“picture boxes”.) Frames aren’t visible, but constrain their contents so that text flows AROUND them.
I think you’re laying out your own articles — I don’t see this anomaly in other articles.
Thanks for reading. I am absolutely not seeing those issues on multiple browsers. If you can email community@hagerty.com with your computer and browser details (and screenshots if possible) we can get someone to try to replicate it and try to resolve it.
True – many crafts are becoming extinct. I would really like to find a upholster in our area (Hunterdon County, west central NJ) – there were 3, one of which did classic cars, but they are gone now. 🙁
However – Blacksmithing…
check this out https://petersvalley.org/
Full disclosure – our son works there and at other craft schools (precious metalsmithing, jewelry, etc including handmade custom belt buckles) and for Father’s Day I got a present of a blacksmithing class. It was GREAT!
A lot of the instructors there are real old-school (but they are “young”) and it is refreshing to see the young folks still doing hands-on work.
So – check out a local craft school – either for a class or to see if some of the instructors do work on the side.
Mea Culpa, David.
Here on LI, our Long Island Museum boasts one of the finest horse-drawn vehicle collections anywhere.
There’s also a freestanding historic Blacksmith Shop, which may still be hosting demonstrations. It did when I last visited, long ago.
So the word should have been “endangered”, not “extinct”.
I’m on a fire 10 tablet and not seeing any problems you are describing… May be some sort of browser problem
I made a similar connection at an old upholstery shop near my home in NJ about 8 years ago. The number of these types of shops are few and far in between in my area. The older gentleman I met had a 4 bay garage with high ceilings and rolls of material stacked 20 ft high. I remember walking in and seeing him sitting down next to his Labrador retriever, listening to the oldies station. The place had a patina and smell that still stays with me. He looked at the simple repair job (for him) I needed for my 84 Mustang GT (that I was having a nervous breakdown about), and said, “no problem..pick it up in 2 days”. It came out great.
I drove by there a few months back and he was gone. That made me sad.
Time marches on……
Same thing in my area – not only upholstery shops disappearing but also radiator repair shops. And a chrome shop is about as extinct as a dodo bird.
The local upholstery shop that had been open for many years here closed some time ago for the same reasons. Was very disappointed and now the ones any where near only want the big expensive jobs and refuse to do simple repairs. Suppose when you are the last of a breed can pick and choose your customer base.
Lots of old craftsmen with now rare skills going away in this everything is disposable society. Tjis is a great but also a sad story.
Shortly after dropping out of high school I got a job in a automobile upholstery shop (Trim Shop). I worked there for 5 years, I started in 1964 at $1.25 per hour, 5 years later I was making $2.00 per hour. Another shop offered me $3.00 per hour, and so worked for the new shop and my salary was 50% higher. I then was offered a job to open up another auto trim shop, and I did, after 12.5 years I decided to open up my own shop. After 30 years I sold my business and retired, I had been in the trade 50 years.
I discovered that no one appreciates the talent that auto trimmers possess. The labor and material costs are high, the cost to operate a shop are high, my rent was the same as a garage and so were my utilities. But customers would ask me why it cost so much to recover a seat when they could buy a chair from a furniture store for much less.
An auto upholsterer can take a roll of various fabrics and recover a seat to look like it came from the factory, but a body man or a mechanic can’t make anything, they must assemble parts, not make them.
No one really appreciated the hard work and long hours that is required to upholster the interior of a car.
In 1990 a Mercury/Lincoln dealer phoned me, a brand new Lincoln had the seats stolen out of it the previous night, they wanted to know if I was interested in buying it because the cost to replace the missing seats was more than the car was worth.
I never made a lot of money in the business, the major problem was that most people in the industry are poorly educated about overhead and running a business, and they will underbid a job just to get the work, even though they are doing it at a loss they are happy that they got the job and the other shop didn’t.
I would do talks at seminars and discovered that a lot of the shops would quote on a job even though they had no idea on what the materials would cost.
I loved the industry, loved installing convertible tops, vinyl tops, recovering seats, I would even fabricate seats with the help of a local welding shop and install centre seats between the two front seats of vans, fabricate bench seats for rear area of vans, I did a lot of custom jobs. and enjoyed the challenge of it.
My go-to upholsterer was Sid Chaves in Santa Clara. He worked mostly on street rods and had never seen a Pantera when he took my car in for a headliner & front & rear trunk covers. A year later he did his first custom motorcycle seat- my Honda VF-1000. Both were perfect and reasonably priced. As you said- a good upholstery shop is a jewel worth knowing.