SMS lead time
- Thread starter 5wndwcpe
- Start date
pomonamissel
Senior Member
well i've had good luck with sms before , but there are a bit disorganized . they sent me out of the blue some one elses order . and it was my name , and address . so i call them on it . they had just put the wrong address on it . it was other p..m... so they gave me his phone number and i called to talk to my same name on the east coast . and they sent ups to right the order , and get it to the right pm . but there matl's were spot on .
Most of the headliners out there are made by Acme Headliner. I'm not sure if Legendary makes their own or not though, but I'll guarantee that Laysons doesn't. I don't know as I would recommend Layson's from other's experiences, but there are plenty of other vendors.
I got samples from Newstalgia and a few others and they all were mailed from Acme's address.
So, first... get samples. You probably won't get a perfect match. If it matters, then you'll probably have to bite down on the bullet and buy from SMS, but if it really doesn't matter, buy from one of the other vendors. Remember, no one is really going to look at your headliner.
I bought a headliner for my Barracuda from SMS and it took a few weeks longer than promised and it was almost twice as much. It was right though... Exact match for material.
73Coupe
Senior Member
Well, SMS ran out of the original material that they sent me a sample of, that matched perfectly. So, instead they went ahead and made a headliner from a different material. Close, but no cigar. I might be stuck with it. This is the third headliner I've received over the course of a year, and my patience is at its end.
75LandYacht
Yank Tank
I remember your SMS faux pas.. what I did was order JUST materials from them, I’ll have my local Upholstry shop do all the cut’en an trim’en.. we KNOW SMS has the correct stuff, just getting them to return an email or phone was my delay. Just say’en
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
SMS getting it right is a "maybe.... maybe not" scenario. On things like seat vinal, headliners, vinyl tops, you might try local trim shops first, especially a well established shop with a seasoned trimmer. You will be suprised at what's available., and I gurantee the cost will be a fraction of SMS.
If you need correct fabric, Then you need SMS.
If you need correct fabric, Then you need SMS.
73Coupe
Senior Member
Update: Finally received replacement top today. Totally wrong pattern this time.
They usually get it right on the 2nd or 3rd attempt.....
rapidtrans
Senior Member
There are better vinyl materials out there than the “Original” stuff SMS sells. Isn’t their supply buy-outs of old NOS materials. My local guy matched color and grain in a material readily available locally.
The vinyl on these seats are butter soft like a new pair of leather gloves.
(And yeah, I had them fix that odd flap at the bottom when I picked up the rear seat)
The vinyl on these seats are butter soft like a new pair of leather gloves.
(And yeah, I had them fix that odd flap at the bottom when I picked up the rear seat)
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75LandYacht
Yank Tank
PAR for SMS..Update: Finally received replacement top today. Totally wrong pattern this time.
Update: Finally received replacement top today. Totally wrong pattern this time.
Don't worry, it's not all for naught. Eventually, when SMS gets it right, I will be able to ask them to do one for Buttercup in the gold color (V1Y) using your exact measurements
Seriously, I am sorry to hear about your experience. This is frustrating.
440sportfury
Active Member
Just my 2 cents. 4 years I ordered door panels for my 68 sport fury. I was told that the wait times would be 12 to 15 months. I received the panels in 21months. It was quite a long wait but I must say they were perfect. I was going to send my dash pad which they said they were very backlogged and would be upwards of a year and a half. Thank God a member of this forum sold me a nos pad. I would suggest if you are restoring a car first thing if needed send them what you need done so it is ready when everthing else is finished.
rapidtrans
Senior Member
I know they’ve had problem finding help. Be an interesting job for a retiree who wouldn’t cost them much to hire. If you wanted to live on the Left Coast.
Now that Oregon legalized Mushrooms that might be an incentive for someone to relocate... 
Keycor
New Member
I ordered door panels for a '70 300 convertible in May. I checked in August and was told it may be the end of the year or after the first of the year. I might need to follow up sometime this month.
I had to wait over three years for all of my door panel orders. So don't count on yours coming anytime even close to meeting their estimates. The positive side to all of this is that what they produce is excellent.
Put your orders in years ahead of your need and hope you don't pass away in the meantime. The fact that they had a blowout sale recently when they are already about 4 years behind schedule with their door panels doesn't portend for seeing anything soon...................................
Truth is you are dreaming..............................unfortunately.
Kim and Leslie used to answer phones but now you have to ask questions by email and hope you even get a reply.....................................
azblackhemi
Old Man with a Hat
Sounds like the first thing to do after you get your new project car home is order the interior from SMS. After that let the restoration begin!
LocuMob
Fluid Technician with a hat
I think one would be wise to order the interior before even buying the car!
The time it takes them to fulfill an order, I'd spend double what I've been told by a local upholstery shopto see them in a timely manner. But I only have to spend the regular amount, and I can accept a grain that's close enough. My Dart and truck can use ready made seat covers, thankfully. The C bodies will need to be made as close to original as possible.
I want to drive my cars in my lifetime.
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
Just plan on your project being 3 to 4 years down the road. Timing should be perfect. Once the quoted time has expired you need to become a squeaky wheel. Just remember to be nice, hard as that sometimes seems.
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