Mayday, Mayday, Please Restore my Cadillac to it’s Original Glory.

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Working on a 75 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, with a Snow White Leather Interior. Seats have been reworked totally, including the mechanisms, cleaned and greased,working smoothly finally. With a New Top, Rear Glass Window, Pads, Door Panels,Trunk, and all parts ready to install, this car is going to be really lovely. We have removed, and reupholstered the upper and lower dash, because there were tons of cracks, and we found some wonderful material that matches the grain and reupholstered it . Stay tuned for the completed project very soon.

Upholstery and Acro Yoga

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Another busy month at Markel’s. Motorcycle Seat for a Client’s Ducati. Jorge Monroy and Luis Castillo added a Custom Sissy bar, and converted his local cruiser into a long haul seat for 2, modifying the padding (adding a lot more comfortable padding and in the right places) fun grey textured materials with bright red stitching. New BMW 5 series, Markel’s removed the dark headliner and added a cream colored suede headliner, including visors,sunroof, pillar posts, and the client was very happy.
Acro Yoga is a new passion of mine, and here are a few pictures showing Dennis and Alan engaged in too much fun. What it has to do with Auto Upholstery is a mystery to me but it keeps me happy, and that’s important for all of us.
Here below is a picture of a 2012 Toyota Camry with a Simulated Convertible and Grey Canvas and all the moldings and snaps to make it look complete. Picture of the owner Sunny Grossblatt is included.
Volvo’s come in ugly and leave beautiful, what more can be said except here’s a happy man.

March 4th and into the Future. Mazda Miata Convertible Top Replacement, BMW 650 IConvertible New Top, Morris Minor Woodie 1966, MGB Redone,

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Ides of March and Beyond

What can I say about March racing in to fill the Leap Year Addendum.

Busy at shop (thank goodness) Finished up a Lovely MGB, that went from sh’t to shimmering in a few days, with a Happy English Client . So much of what we do is forensic science, learning how things were based upon the original foot print of the vehicle’s interior. Recreating back to Original Specs and Better. Lately, we have been also replacing a regretable number of slashed convertible tops, on Audi A-4′s, and now we are Finishing a New Original Canvas Top on a BMW 650 I.
One of the most comforting things is also completing Long Term Bucket Projects. These are cars that get dropped off, to be completed when we can. So, a 1966 Oldmobile Convertible, that came in as a veritable p.o.s. Is all positioned to be completed this week. Windows motors, Top Frames, Seat Issues, Seat Mechanisms, Alignment of Convertible Top Frames, with the Right Rubber and Scrapers to be sourced, and installed. New Motors, and Cylinders for the Convertible Top Frame, along with New Hydraulic Lines for the Convertible Top System.

Blog for Early February 2012

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Things are rolling along nicely at Markel’s. Lots of Convertible Tops, Orthopedic Seating, I.E.( Building up Seats for clients to be more comfortable in their cars, sometimes adding seat heaters, electric lumbar systems, this week adding more support behind the knees on a client*s Honda CRV.)

In addition we just completed doing a restoration on the front seats for Ms. Anita Pointer (yes of the Pointer Sisters). Her 1980 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow now looks almost as great as she does.
We used matching Rolls Royce Leather, and contrasting piping as Original.
These type of cars take a lot of time and detailed craftsmanship, but it all happens here and for good reason we seem to be busier than ever. Now a 1963 Ford Falcon has come in for a Complete Convertible Top Installed, with new pads, tacking strips (that’s the bar that supports the convertible top frame). All we have left to do now is to MOVE THE SEAT BACK 4 INCHES LONGER THAN IT CAME FROM THE FACTORY.

I find people to be a bit more friendly these days. Perhaps it’s a sign the economy is finally starting to recover a bit, or they are just pleased they have some place safe and qualified that can work on their car and be sure it comes out right.
Dan Tana’s is at it again, with more repairs for their amazing Italian Restaurant’s Tables and Booths.

Markel’s Now Back Open to Greet 2012. Restaurants, Beauty Salons, Convertible Tops oh my.

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Markel's Auto Interiors

New Convertible Top Installed on a Z-3 BMW, which previously had an old worn Convertible Black Top. I suggested a Fresh Blue Canvas Top, and the client was thrilled. Opening drains is a way of life in my world. This is a Huge Source of Leaking Convertibles in general.

We have hit the ground running working on Restoring Dead Porsche Convertible Top Mechanisms back to Life, Building a New Awning/ Signs for Maxime’s Hair Salon in Beverly Hills
For the last 2 days, we have been working on Bringing Back Life to the Seat Upholstery for Dan Tana’s Famous Italian Eatery, Seats springs can break, when you eat all that great food.
You know how it is when you’re steering wheel just doesn’t look or feel right, yes we do things like that too.

On Monday, we are going to be doing modifications to a Brand New E-350 Mercedes, because the client has severe Sciatica Nerve Sensitivity, and we will be modifying his Seat Upholstery, so he can enjoy his Brand New Car. This is often done with different padding in the right places, different angles for the Client’s Body to feel supported and Pain Free.

End of the Year Projects: Seat Frames, Convertible Top Repairs, Full Vinyl Tops, Sheepskins, New Convertible Tops, and a New Awning and Logo for a Beverly Hills Beauty Salon.

Posted on December 18, 2011 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Current Blog Ideas.

Lately we have been working on a 65 Mustang Convertible that belonged to a Client*s Wife when they met, and it*s been waiting 20 years to get it done. They*re on Vacation in Hawaii, and we*re doing the Complete Convertible Top and Well……..The Drivers Seat, which is almost always the most worn area of the Interior, had a Broken Seat Frame, Worn Out Foam and the Usual 4 panels of Black Original Vinyl had to be Changed. I like the Patina of the Original Interior, but it has to be comfortable, and look great. Replacing the seat cushion assembly was the best option, with a good quality used part, reinforced, no more broken frame. You sit up like the King of the Road.
This is a Complete Vinyl Top Replacement on a mint 1987 Cadillac Sedan De Ville, including new Marker Lights, and Original Cadillac Crests to go inside the Cadillac Wreaths. This man owns 2 Identical Cadillacs !
New Convertible Top on a Honda S-2000 came in and out in 1 day, with a satisfied client. Just in time to prevent a rainstorm, from causing chaos inside your car.
You can see one of the prettiest cars out there. 1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible had a Problem with it’s Convertible Top Mechanism. The Original Convertible Top Motor was still pumping, but the Convertible Top Lines were damaged, and Leaking Fluid. We replaced them, with New Parts, bled the system. 100% Ready Now.
Working on a New Awning for Maxime’s Beauty Salon in Beverly Hills, on the 400 Block of Rodeo Drive. New Logo, on Champagne Colored Canvas, and in addition, we are making the awning more functional, by adding an overhead rain frame also covered in matching canvas. Strong matching Steel frame and added to the existing awning.
New Pearl Colored Sheepskins go nicely on this S.U.V.

Custom Christian Audigier Smart Car convertible top crisis.

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Markel's Auto Interiors

So out of the Blue this schmeggah cool Smart Car comes into the shop one day, and the Top is stuck open. Brought into me by a young rabbi who is the proud recipient of this Charity Donated Specialty Vehicle…..Problems are meant to be figured out and solved. This particular car is such an Eye Catching Rolling Trademark, that it’s screaming out for attention even when standing still…..So with Rain approaching even this Dream Ride has to be sorted out. Smart Cars are generally Pretty Reliable….However, this car, was passed around as a Loaner that many people used, and when the Electric Convertible Top Sunroof stopped working properly, it continued to be Used, and therefore Abused…..A simple fix, became an Epic, Repair Project. Doing this for a Charity Organization presented all sorts of Issues which have taken on a life of their own. Now after diagnosing the problems, and ordering the necessary parts, The Smart Car will finally be Completed being repaired by tomorrow. Latches, supports cables, worm drives and thoroughly cleaning the soiled headliner, This Smart Car, will now rightfully retain it*s Zippy, Fashionista Transportational Convenience on the streets of Los Angeles.

2005 Pontiac Firebird and 1966 Original Morris Minor Mini

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Bloggin away on a Beautiful August Day

Been busy at the shop, working on an assortment of projects…

Pictures of 2005 Pontiac Firebird, Custom Convertible Top Boot.

Headliner on a 1966 Original Morris Minor Mini

Convertible Top Replaced ……Going from a Top with a Plastic Window, to an Upgrade……Convertible Top with Rear Glass Window. At the end is a picture of Skylar and I, taken in Laguna Beach on Saturday for a close friends Wedding.

Regards,
Dennis

Yvette Mimieux

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Markel's Auto Interiors

The project on Yvette Mimeaux*s car……was to make a Large Bottle holder in Leather, for easy access…..and her 4 lb. lap dog jumps around her interior….and sometimes hits a button that could partially engage her convertible top system…thus causing a huge reset problem that only the dealer can handle….to reset……so we tried to find a way that would block access from the little dog, and still allow ease of operation…….using convertible top plastic materials…carefully put in…so it doesn*t stand out too much, yet restricts the beast from upsetting the apple cart………..supposed to pick up the car in the morning……what should I charge?…….

It took Jorge about 2 hours…………materials cost….?…….about 20.00……..engineering, and implementation……?……….Priceless……….Best Wishes……………D…..

BMW Z4

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Markel's Auto Interiors

Here is a before and after on a Z-4 and this MBZ 5 Ton Bob Cat Truck, brought in dirty worn hard torn and wet. ( I added the wet and ridden hard because….it*s important….oh perhaps that*s tonight…)there are 1 bucket seat, and 1 small bench seat….we did it in rust colored leather strong vinyl…….oxymoron..the leatherstrong really……but I*m just saying……..busy doing orthopedic seating adjustments on a Brand New Z 4 for a Chiropractor……….who didn*t feel enough ergonomics.