The Ford Barn

My3window · 03-19-2014, 03:23 PM

Here is a question for all the 34 experts out there. I'm beginning to look at the options I may have for upholstering a 34 Deluxe three window. The 33-34 EFV8 Restoration Manual reads in its Interior Chapter that closed cars had a choice of Mohair or Broadcloth at no extra cost. However, later in the same restoration manual under "Appendix M" it lists several 33-34 Interior optional trim schemes taken from a book written by Francis and DeAngelis titled "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It". Upon reading the interior options listed in the later reference, a Ford customer could order a Deluxe Three Window with Copra Drab leather until May of 1934 and also in Taupe leather in May of 1934 and later.

Mohair can be prickly to sit on for long periods and it tends to mat down after some time. I have a 34 three window and would prefer to upholster my car in leather. My question is; which reference is correct? I may or may not decide to go for points in the long run but I still want to build a car that would have been correct.

Does anyone know of a 34 closed car with leather interior that was penalized at a judging event for having the leather? Any opinions on the subject will also be appreciated?

Thank you,
Tom

Terry,OH · 03-19-2014, 04:36 PM

Leather is an option for 32, 3-W as well as many other both Std and Dlx models in Copra Drab. See the second updates to the restoration book Chapter 14 p. 5.
According to Francis & DeAngelis the 34 3-W was available in Copra Drab Fine Colonial Grain leather or Artificial Leather starting in April 1933.
Before buying the leather or artificial leather you may want to contact Dave Rehor, I believe he may be able to shed more light on this subject.

My3window · 03-19-2014, 07:59 PM

Thanks for the tip Terry. I contacted Dave Rehor and he believes the Francis and DeAngelis reference is the correct choice inasmuch as Dave knows the authors went through all the Ford Archives and microfilm to come up with their information for their book. Looks like I'll install leather in my coupe!
Tom

gearhead1952 · 03-20-2014, 03:33 AM

What is the color of Copra Drab? Never heard of it before.

Terry,OH · 03-20-2014, 05:31 AM

What is Copra Drab?? Good question, Ford didn't seem to have upholstery swatches of their leather as LeBaron Bonney does. If someone had a preserved sample from their car upholstery, I guess this would be the best way to get the color for dye match. I believe this is what Le B has done over the years and yet I can not find it listed as one of their leather colors on their sample sheet, in talking to Roy Nacewicz he did this to get paint samples for color match that have wound up in a color library. You may try Doug at LeB B for his best match to Copra Drab.

DavidG · 03-20-2014, 07:37 AM

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Here are some photos of original copra drab upholstery material, both in artificial leather and leather. It was primarily used by Ford for deluxe phaetons and roadsters from '32 through mid-1934 when taupe was adopted for those applications for the remainder of the '34 model year. It was also available as an option for certain closed body types as well during those model years.

It is a two-tone black and olive green combination.

FL&WVMIKE · 03-20-2014, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My3window

Here is a question for all the 34 experts out there. I'm beginning to look at the options I may have for upholstering a 34 Deluxe three window. The 33-34 EFV8 Restoration Manual reads in its Interior Chapter that closed cars had a choice of Mohair or Broadcloth at no extra cost. However, later in the same restoration manual under "Appendix M" it lists several 33-34 Interior optional trim schemes taken from a book written by Francis and DeAngelis titled "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It". Upon reading the interior options listed in the later reference, a Ford customer could order a Deluxe Three Window with Copra Drab leather until May of 1934 and also in Taupe leather in May of 1934 and later.

Mohair can be prickly to sit on for long periods and it tends to mat down after some time. I have a 34 three window and would prefer to upholster my car in leather. My question is; which reference is correct? I may or may not decide to go for points in the long run but I still want to build a car that would have been correct.

Does anyone know of a 34 closed car with leather interior that was penalized at a judging event for having the leather? Any opinions on the subject will also be appreciated?

Thank you,
Tom

My3Window ................
Here is a view of the original leather in my 1934 Phaeton. The back rest and the side panels are all original. The seat bottom was replaced and is a little darker.
MIKE (mikeburch)
CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE - Twice

My3window · 03-20-2014, 01:21 PM

Thanks to all for your input, knowledge and photos. This is what makes this website so awesome.
Best regards to all!
Tom

34ford · 03-20-2014, 01:38 PM

i think its mohar, or broadcloth,same original price with car. extra for the leather

rotorwrench · 03-20-2014, 05:32 PM

The color copra drab always looked like a dark tarnished penny to me but the term has nothing to do with copper or bronze. I think the original color is based on the color of dried coconut meat and the word is from an old dialect from India. Dried coconut meat is a brownish color on the outside when removed from the shell.

03-19-2014, 03:23 PM	#1
My3window Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Helena, California Posts: 252	34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question Here is a question for all the 34 experts out there. I'm beginning to look at the options I may have for upholstering a 34 Deluxe three window. The 33-34 EFV8 Restoration Manual reads in its Interior Chapter that closed cars had a choice of Mohair or Broadcloth at no extra cost. However, later in the same restoration manual under "Appendix M" it lists several 33-34 Interior optional trim schemes taken from a book written by Francis and DeAngelis titled "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It". Upon reading the interior options listed in the later reference, a Ford customer could order a Deluxe Three Window with Copra Drab leather until May of 1934 and also in Taupe leather in May of 1934 and later. Mohair can be prickly to sit on for long periods and it tends to mat down after some time. I have a 34 three window and would prefer to upholster my car in leather. My question is; which reference is correct? I may or may not decide to go for points in the long run but I still want to build a car that would have been correct. Does anyone know of a 34 closed car with leather interior that was penalized at a judging event for having the leather? Any opinions on the subject will also be appreciated? Thank you, Tom

03-19-2014, 04:36 PM	#2
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question Leather is an option for 32, 3-W as well as many other both Std and Dlx models in Copra Drab. See the second updates to the restoration book Chapter 14 p. 5. According to Francis & DeAngelis the 34 3-W was available in Copra Drab Fine Colonial Grain leather or Artificial Leather starting in April 1933. Before buying the leather or artificial leather you may want to contact Dave Rehor, I believe he may be able to shed more light on this subject.

03-19-2014, 07:59 PM	#3
My3window Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Helena, California Posts: 252	Re: 34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question Thanks for the tip Terry. I contacted Dave Rehor and he believes the Francis and DeAngelis reference is the correct choice inasmuch as Dave knows the authors went through all the Ford Archives and microfilm to come up with their information for their book. Looks like I'll install leather in my coupe! Tom

03-20-2014, 03:33 AM	#4
gearhead1952 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Julesburg, Colorado Posts: 714	Re: 34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question What is the color of Copra Drab? Never heard of it before.

03-20-2014, 05:31 AM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question What is Copra Drab?? Good question, Ford didn't seem to have upholstery swatches of their leather as LeBaron Bonney does. If someone had a preserved sample from their car upholstery, I guess this would be the best way to get the color for dye match. I believe this is what Le B has done over the years and yet I can not find it listed as one of their leather colors on their sample sheet, in talking to Roy Nacewicz he did this to get paint samples for color match that have wound up in a color library. You may try Doug at LeB B for his best match to Copra Drab.

03-20-2014, 01:21 PM	#8
My3window Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Saint Helena, California Posts: 252	Re: 34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question Thanks to all for your input, knowledge and photos. This is what makes this website so awesome. Best regards to all! Tom

03-20-2014, 05:32 PM	#10
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: 34 Experts: Interesting upholstery Question The color copra drab always looked like a dark tarnished penny to me but the term has nothing to do with copper or bronze. I think the original color is based on the color of dried coconut meat and the word is from an old dialect from India. Dried coconut meat is a brownish color on the outside when removed from the shell.