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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Cartouche vs LeBaron Bonny

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Cartouche vs LeBaron Bonny -- page: 1 2     wilmalcolm 01-31-2013 @ 4:27 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 64 Joined: Nov 2011 Hi, Which is recommended? I know everyone seems to recommend LeBaron Bonny, but is Cartouche as good? I am re Upholstering my '35 3 widow coupe. Mac's is having a sale ending tonight on Cartouche upholstery. Any comments? Thanks, Will kubes40 01-31-2013 @ 5:59 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3373 Joined: Oct 2009 You've obviously done some research on this topic already. And,I think you have answered your own question. There is a reason (more than one actually) that most folks doing top restorations prefer Lebaron-Bonney. LB most certainly has Cartouche beat in quality and service / instruction (if needed). Cartouche has LB beat in price. What is most important to you? Quality or price? trjford8 01-31-2013 @ 6:13 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 4203 Joined: Oct 2009 I have samples of the materials used by LeBaron-Bonney and Cartouche. I got them about 3 years ago. The materials are very close in quality. I mention the time when I received the samples as it's possible they have gone to cheaper materials. I have seen some kits from Cartouche installed and they looked good. They were installed in the 41-48 cars. I have not seen any of their kits installed in the earlier cars. As a general rule if the product is cheaper there is usually a reason. You might also post your question on the Fordbarn to see if anyone there has installed the Cartouche kit in an earlier car. I have installed approximately 20 LeBaron-Bonney kits from Model A's to 40 Fords. I have not had a problem with the kits and the people at LB are very helpful if you have a problem or question. I have never installed a Cartouche kit. Oldad 01-31-2013 @ 6:19 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 111 Joined: May 2012 I got prices for a '37 Ford Fordor and there was no significant difference between the two. Old Henry 01-31-2013 @ 7:59 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 738 Joined: Apr 2010 Here's LeBaron Bonney's video of the difference between them and their "competitor" which, I think, can only be Cartouche. At the time I did my car I was shopping price and bought Cartouche for about 1/2 price of LB for my '47. Apparently the prices may be more comparable for earlier cars. I'm not sure how much better LB would have been for me but it sure would have cost more. Here's the video: http://www.lebaronbonney.com/video-7.htm Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.) flatheadfan 02-01-2013 @ 2:33 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 450 Joined: Oct 2009 I have used car interiors from both suppliers (L-B and Cartouche). The L-B went into a '35 coupe. Nothing fit right. I had to remake each panel and send back both door panels to be re-made (they had a "rib" where the door pull should go). In each case L-B corrected the problem BUT, I had to pay for the return shipping and of course I lost installation time. The last "repaired" item I received back from L-B had a covering that was a different shade and thickness than what they previously had sent me. I called them about the difference and they said they had changed suppliers and they were no longer stocking the "old" material. Needless-to-say, I wasn't a happy camper. When it came to my next car ('31 coupe), I decided to give Cartouche a try after my L-B experience. The price was much cheaper than a comparable L-B kit. The result- everything fit like a glove! No installation difficulties, instructions were clear and nothing had to be re-made. The only "problem" I had was a "screw-up" on my part where I messed up a panel. I called Cartouche (talked to Dave) and explained my problem and was honest about the situation. Two days later I had a new panel expressed mailed to me at NO COST! Can't ask for better service than that! Obviously, I can only speak from my limited experience but I would have no hesitation about using Cartouche in the future. One more thing. I went with their optional synthetic materials (looks and feels like original material). The stuff wears like iron. (MHO) Tom 42wagon 02-01-2013 @ 3:20 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 I have had two experiences with LB. Both excellent. The first was reupholstering a Model A Roadster. They were concerned enough about the stitching to borrow my old upholstery to use as a model. The kit fit perfectly and there were ample instructions. The second was to reupholster my 42 wagon. Now the samples they sent me in no way matched my upholstery. They readily admitted that the colors for 42 were different from 46 to 48. After some searching I found the leather I wanted and they agreed to use it to make my seats. I had them put it on the seat frames so cannot tell you how much trouble I might have had. I have never had any experience with Cartouche but can tell you that I would go back to LB when I do my next car. Ted wilmalcolm 02-01-2013 @ 6:14 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 64 Joined: Nov 2011 Thank you all for your comments. I have visited the LB factory in Massachusetts a couple of times. They have been very friendly and the tour they gave me was interesting and informative. If for no other reason I see them as real people and the general consensus here is that what they sell is of the best quality and what's more, the sale at Mac's is over for the Cartousche. jal9846 02-01-2013 @ 6:23 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 53 Joined: Oct 2009 I've used Lebaron Bonney for years, and would not recommend any other company from the standpoint of custmer service and quality. They let you know realistic lead times, and up front if they have any material issues or backorders, etc. Not sure about Cartouche...I know it is usually cheaper...however for a 46 pickup I recently completed...the Cartouche was actually more expensive than the Lebaron Bonney! woodiewagon46 02-01-2013 @ 6:48 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 697 Joined: Nov 2012 I have had four cars done with Lebaron-Bonney interiors and highly recommend them. I never had one problem with them.

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