• 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
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather
  • MasterTech Expo 2026
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Albright's Supply

THR Favorites

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Sculpt Garage

Shop Profile: Brent Davison of Sculpt Garage

Sculpt Garage has only been in business for … [more] about Shop Profile: Brent Davison of Sculpt Garage

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Vinyl Top Rust

The Hidden Horrors of Vinyl Top Roof Rust

"How much to slap a new vinyl top on my car?" … [more] about The Hidden Horrors of Vinyl Top Roof Rust

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Design Studio

Design Studio: 1932 Ford Roadster

It’s no wonder the 1932 Ford Roadster is … [more] about Design Studio: 1932 Ford Roadster

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Exact Art Fabrications - Starlight Headliner

How to Fabricate a Starlight Headliner

Starlight headliners that create the illusion … [more] about How to Fabricate a Starlight Headliner

The Hog Ring - How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds A

How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds

Traditional diamond pleats too easy? Try … [more] about How to Sew Aston Martin Rapide Diamonds

The Hog Ring - 10 Tips to Organize Your Own Car Show 1

10 Tips to Organize Your Own Car Show

Spring is around the corner – which means car … [more] about 10 Tips to Organize Your Own Car Show

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