Little opinion help from the 50 plus crowd

[CG]

So Im finally starting to roll on my panel build and I have an interior question for guys in my age bracket.

I have a really nice split bench out of what I believe is a mid to late 60's Chev. The interior of my panel is going to be red (body is gloss black). Im trying to decide if I should go regular pleats or diamond pattern? The dash pad will also be made to match.

I have tons of car magazines from the late 60's and I think either way would look cool. You see lots of pleats out there because they are so timeless looking. But I remember a 69 GTX a buddy had that had an all diamond interior and man did that thing look great.

A little more on the vibe Im going for: It's going to have the foot gas and dimmer pedals. Column mounted tach. I also have one of those black sorta foam sorta rubber steering wheels with the chrome spokes with the holes in them. Rear windows on the barn doors are red plexi. Tires and wheels are my avitar. Its an auto, but will have tall floor mounted shifter. I may even hang a shrunken head from the mirror lol.

So you kinda get where Im going ... pleats or diamond?

Edit: Forgot to add, not even sure if it matters, its a 69 with a 68 front clip.

[cheyenne shortstep]

I'm 43 and been readin' hot rod mags since I can remember if that counts for anything, my vote is diamonds. I think this would compliment the look you are going for more so than pleats. Sounds like a very cool panel in the works.
Just my 2 cts

[Stocker]

Not quite old enough for *cough* Social Security, but I do remember tuck and roll interiors -- always a classic look. But it sounds like a diamond pleat might work better in your panel. What kind of shifter knob, an 8-ball or a piston?

[bruceman1968]

CG, I don't think you can go wrong either way. But I really do like the diamond tuck myself. Diamond with buttons, even better. JMHO
Here's a few pics from the google.

[yob2kanobe]

My vote is diamond tuck. I have had numerous 60's and early 70's muscle cars all reupholstered in diamond and they simply look fantastic, it is a timeless design. The pleated look looked ok but better on earlier vintage rods, more of an OEM style I always thought. Go Diamonds!

[wwotr]

I just turned 54 on Satrurday. Pleats all the way!

[bruceman1968]

I do like the tuck and roll (pleats) to. Sounds like your panel is gonna be really cool, whatever you chose. Can't wait to see it as it progresses.

[dubds10]

I might not be in that age group..but I love tuck and roll seats. The diamond tuck is pretty pimp depending on how its done lol

[kcsa75]

I'm willing to admit my age (53), and I'm a sucker for tuck and roll every time. Diamond tuck is fine, but nothing says hot rod like a tuck and roll.

[stealthy '69]

I'm half the age of some of you guys (27), but I'll throw in my opinion if you don't mind. I say if you're going for the old school hot rod look, it sounds like you are, then I'd say deffinatey the diamond tuck. If you're going for more the "modern" old school look, I'd say the straight pleats. Either way, it'll look sweet. Maybe you could get a 1 foot square sample to lay down to help you make a decision. just my 2 cents.

[70cst]

It comes down to taste and my vote goes with tuck and roll seats but you are a winner either way

[cdowns]

diamonds look great but in my experience especially long drives pleats are far more comfortable to sit on

[mikey531]

50 plus and then some! I am going with tuck and roll in mine. I think the diamond tuck just looks too busy.

[special-K]

All though I am a roll & pleated guy I think diamond pleat sounds right for your plan. As you mentioned each thing that is what came to mind. I think with the larger areas,the early '70s vibe,and a "van-esque" look calls for the more plush chouce...diamond.

[kcsa75]

Originally Posted by special-K

All though I am a roll & pleated guy I think diamond pleat sounds right for your plan. As you mentioned each thing that is what came to mind. I think with the larger areas,the early '70s vibe,and a "van-esque" look calls for the more plush chouce...diamond.

If you want early 70's "van-esque" then you have to go with shag carpeting, crushed velour, mirrors on the ceiling and port holes.

[CG]

Originally Posted by kcsa75

If you want early 70's "van-esque" then you have to go with crushed velour, mirrors on the ceiling and port holes.

LOL, No velour or mirrors. I dont think my honey would appreciate me taking off to do "truck stuff" with that kind of set up in the back.

I seem to remember Frank having some smoked Chevy Bow Tie port holes in his stash of stuff LOl, ok just kidding about adding something like that.

[Already Gone]

I;m 61 and have been looking at rods, cars and truck since I can remember. To me and with the rest of the ideas you described Diamond is the way to go.

[kcsa75]

nevermind

[stich626]

if the rest of the truck is set in that time, then it'll work.. but if the interior is set in the 50-60's and under hood or wheels are set later than that . imho, it looks dorky..
me I want a comfy seat, diamond would be my choice if those are the only choices, but w/o the buttons..

[CG]

I really like both, but when it comes to either it will have to be simple pleats or simple diamonds (similar to the bike seat above). When I see actual tuck and roll or diamond tufted with buttons, to me we are talking street rods (pre 48 cars), low riders, or early style customs.

Im thinking sort of a simple street machine style in a truck ... LOL, does any of this make sense?

Thanks for the input so far. Very much appreciated!

[LockDoc]

-
To me Diamonds in a large area makes it look too busy. I'm a roll and pleat guy myself.

LockDoc

[Shyguy]

Here is something I have been kicking around for a while. I am thinking about getting a couple of old drive-in speakers and hanging one on each door in my '67 swb stepper. Just a thought, may never happen, I will just have to wait and see how the build goes.

Oh, diamonds or pleats. My son has pleats on the seats in his 69 C-10, but I think I would like diamonds in something like you are building.

I am way over 50, lol.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by CG

....Rear windows on the barn doors are red plexi....

That pretty much seals the deal for the diamond pattern. But, IMO, no buttons, as stated above that makes it too busy and reminds me of old horse drawn carriages and buggies or early 1900's Model T roadster's.

[CG]

Diamonds or pleats would only be on the part of the bench, the dash, and part of the door panels. Head liner (which is gigantic when you consider its a panel) and rear sides will be regular material without either pattern.

I like that diamond in the head liner pic!

[barryvanhook]

I've been around long enough to have seen (and done) both. And I've always preferred tuck and roll. And sorry to burst the bubble of the youngster who posted earlier, but diamond pleats came into hotrod vogue some time after tuck and roll. So T'n'R is the traditional hotrod look without question.

Barry