• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Photo: Car Ashtray Turned Radio Control

November 24, 2015 By Nadeem Muaddi

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Sculpt Garage Ashtray

Modernizing the interior of a hot rod is no easy task. Auto upholsterers have to carefully balance the desire for contemporary features with the need to stay as period correct as possible, so as not to lose too much of a vehicle’s classic appeal.

In the search for that sweet spot, Sculpt Garage in San Marcos, Texas, came up with a clever way to hide radio controls in plain view: inside a console ashtray.

By doing so, Sculpt Garage was able to retain and repurpose a feature that most drivers no longer find useful, all while staying true to the vehicle’s old school charm. The idea is as simple as it is genius!

If you read our shop profile of Brent Davison, owner and operator of Sculpt Garage, you know that he cut his teeth in the car audio industry for years before turning his focus to other aspects of car interiors. This is just one example of how his extensive knowledge in electronics sets Sculpt Garage apart from other full-service auto upholstery shops.

To learn more about Sculpt Garage visit SculptGarage.com, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Filed Under: Archive, Cabin Technology Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Car Radio, Sculpt Garage, Vehicle Ashtray

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cesar says

    November 25, 2015 at 12:25 am

    Amazing craftsmen as many other master trimmers I’ve seen on instagram and the hog ring forum.

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Hyde Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Albright's Supply
  • MasterTech Expo 2026

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Dan Miller Upholstery

Dan Miller on Upholstering the VLF Force 1

The VLF Force 1 — an all-American supercar … [more] about Dan Miller on Upholstering the VLF Force 1

The Hog Ring - Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren Ralphie Marusic

Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

We interview a lot of master craftsmen, but … [more] about Meet Aspiring Auto Trimmer Lauren ‘Ralphie’ Marusic

The Hog Ring - 3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

Auto upholstery shops that generate a lot of … [more] about 3 Ways Trim Shops Can Increase Profits

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Laced Leather French Seam

What Do You Think of Laced French Seams?

Few automakers that exist outside the realm … [more] about What Do You Think of Laced French Seams?

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Ish Jimenez - West Coast Customs

Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 3

The third and final installment of our … [more] about Talking Shop with Trimmer Ish Jimenez 3

How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

Stories about how individual auto trimmers … [more] about How Did You Learn Auto Upholstery?

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Nexus Fastening Co. Introduces Solid Gold Hog Rings for Luxury Cars
  • Everything We Covered in March 2026
  • WyoTech Taps Dominic Olson for Upholstery Program, Installs New NC Machines
  • MasterTech Expo 2026 Draws Global Crowd and Raises the Bar Again
  • Free SEMA Webinar: How to Start Your Own Auto Shop

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2026 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in